Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship 2026 for Women in STEM
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 22
- 4 min read
If you are a woman scientist or engineer from a developing or emerging economy, the Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future fellowship is now open for 2026. This opportunity supports women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) to pursue PhD or post‐doctoral research abroad — with the goal of strengthening scientific leadership, returning to contribute to home country development, and encouraging more women and girls into STEM fields. Below are the details you need to know, including who is eligible, what the fellowship covers, how to apply, and which countries qualify this year.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Host Institution: University or research institute abroad (outside your home country), or in some cases “sandwich” PhD programmes with a foreign host.
Level: PhD or Post-Doctoral research in STEM disciplines. Master’s studies are not eligible.
Target Group: Women from eligible low- and middle-income countries; pursuing or preparing for PhD or post-doc; strong academic record; committed to returning home; leadership & outreach in STEM.
Fields of Focus: Physical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics. Biological sciences are more limited; cross-disciplinary work involving core STEM is welcome.
Value & Coverage: The grant is based on actual expenses: tuition/bench fees; accommodation; living allowance (food, books, supplies, etc.); medical insurance; travel (initial to host country) and visa; conference costs. There is possibility of child care grant under certain conditions.
Duration: Depends on the stage of the PhD or post-doctoral project. Renewal is possible (but not automatic), subject to satisfactory progress, quality of references, etc.
Application Deadline: November 7, 2025 (for new applications). Reference letters must be submitted by November 14, 2025.
Notification of Results: Early April 2026.
📚 Fellowship Overview
Application & Selection Process:
The process typically involves several rounds:
Checking compliance with eligibility (disciplines, country, host institution, academic record).
Shortlisting based on academic performance, references, research proposal quality, and relevance to home country.
Review by a scientific committee.
Interviews (telephone) with final candidates.
Final selection by the Schlumberger Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Cohort & Community:
If selected, fellows become part of a global cohort / network of women in STEM, with opportunities for mentorship, peer interaction, and being part of the Faculty for the Future alumni community. This helps both academically and professionally.
Renewal / Multi-Year Support:
For doctoral candidates, multi‐year funding may be renewed but depends on progress, references, and fulfillment of requirements.
🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship
Full or significant coverage of costs associated with PhD or post-doctoral work abroad (tuition, accommodation, living expenses, travel, visa, conferences).
Potential child care support in some cases.
Membership in a global network of female STEM leaders; mentorship and visibility.
Strengthening the ability to return home and contribute to socio-economic development, enhancing academic institutions, policy, or entrepreneurship in home countries.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must:
Be female and a citizen of an eligible developing or emerging economy, where women are underrepresented in STEM. Holding dual citizenship with a developed country disqualifies you. (See list below)
Be preparing for or currently doing PhD or post-doctoral research in a STEM area. Not eligible if only Master’s level.
Be enrolled in, or admitted to, or have already applied to, a university or research institute abroad (outside your home country), or for a sandwich programme where part of the PhD is at home but final award comes from foreign host.
Have an excellent academic record.
Demonstrate a commitment to returning to your home country to contribute (academic, research, policy, entrepreneurship, etc.).
Show leadership, community engagement, previous work (or potential) encouraging girls / women in STEM.
Your country of origin must be on the current eligible countries list. Citizenship proof required.
📝 Application Procedure
How to Apply:
The application is submitted online via the Faculty for the Future application portal. Registration opens 1 September 2025, and closes 7 November 2025 (12:00 noon CST (UTC-6)). Reference letters must be submitted by 14 November 2025.
Documents / Materials to Prepare:
Completed online application form.
Academic transcripts.
Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Research proposal.
Proof of admission / evidence of application to a host university or research institute abroad.
References (academic), including from host supervisor where relevant. Usually two or more.
Motivation / personal statement, including plan for returning home and outreach / leadership in STEM.
Proof of citizenship of an eligible country.
Tips:
Start early: some documents (transcripts, admission letters, references) take time.
Be clear on how your proposed research links to challenges or opportunities in your home country.
Provide strong evidence of leadership and outreach, especially for girls and underrepresented groups.
Make sure your host university abroad is clearly defined.
🌎 Eligible Countries
Eligible Countries:
Afghanistan; Angola; Bangladesh; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Bolivia; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cambodia; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; Comoros; Congo; Congo (DRC); Côte d’Ivoire; Djibouti; Dominica; Dominican Republic; El Salvador; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guatemala; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Haiti; Honduras; Iran; Iraq; Jordan; Kenya; Kiribati; Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Marshall Islands; Mauritania; Micronesia; Mozambique; Nauru; Nepal; Nicaragua; Niger; Palestine; Philippines; Sierra Leone; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Sudan; Sudan; Suriname; Syria; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Timor-Leste; Togo; Turkmenistan; Tuvalu; Uganda; Vanuatu; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe.
ℹ️ Extra Useful Information
The grant does not cover school tuition fees for children, only sometimes contributing to child care costs.
Applicants who already started their PhD or post-doc can still apply. It’s not necessary to be only at the starting stage.
If you receive the grant but later obtain citizenship of a developed country, that may disqualify continuation.
The host university does not have to be in a “developed country” per se, but must be abroad (outside your home country), or part of a sandwich programme where final degrees are awarded by the foreign host.
