Deadline: May 1, 2016
The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) invites qualified applicants to apply for the OFID Scholarship 2016/2017. OFID scholarships will be awarded to four students or candidates who have obtained or are on the verge of completing their undergraduate degree and who wish to study for a Master’s degree.
Through its scholarship scheme, OFID aims to help highly motivated, highly driven individuals overcome one of the biggest challenges to their careers – the cost of graduate studies. The winners of the OFID Scholarship Award will receive a scholarship of up to US$50,000. The funds will be spread over a maximum of one year, toward the completion of a Master’s degree, or its equivalent, at an accredited educational institution, starting in the autumn of the academic year 2016/2017.
Award Details
The tuition fees, including any supplementary examination fees, as may be required by the academic institution, will be paid by OFID directly to the academic institution. Health insurance will be paid in accordance with the institution’s own standard medical scheme.
A monthly allowance to cover living expenses, books and accommodation, will be transferred to the student’s own personal bank account.
Prior to the start of his/her first year studies, the student will be paid a relocation grant. OFID will also pay for travel costs from the nearest airport to the student’s place of residence, to the nearest airport to the chosen place of study. Upon completion of the studies, the student will be paid the cost of one-way air ticket to his/her home country.
Eligibility
- Must be between the ages of 23-32 at the time of submitting his/her application.
- Must have obtained or be on the verge of completing their undergraduate degree with a Baccalaureate from an accredited college/university, or its equivalent.
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 rating system, or its equivalent.
- Must be matriculated at an accredited university for the upcoming academic year starting August/September 2015, and must maintain full-time status for the duration of the Master’s Degree.
- Must be a national of a developing country (except OFID Member Countries)
- Must select a subject of study that pertains to OFID’s core mission, such as: economics of development (poverty reduction, energy and sustainable development), environment (desertification), or other related science and technology fields.
Applicants must be from a developing country (except OFID Member Countries), and he/she must first obtain admission to pursue a Master’s degree studies in a relevant field of development, from any recognized university/college in the world.
Eligible Countries
- Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Argentina, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh, Barbados, Barbadua, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Bhutan
- Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Central African, Chad Republic, Colombia, Comoros, Congo D.R, Congo Rep., Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba
- Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic
- Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia
- Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Grenada, Guyana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau
- Haiti, Honduras
- India
- Jamaica, Jordan
- Kenya, Korea D.P.R., Kosovo, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan
- Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia
- Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Macedonia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar
- Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nicaragua
- Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome &Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, St. Christopher, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Samoa, Suriname, St. Vincent, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria
- Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan
- Uganda, Uzbekistan, Uruguay
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia, Zimbabwe
Application Requirements
- A completed on-line application form.
- A scanned copy of the applicant’s passport.
- A scanned copy of the last university degree or certificate.
- A scanned letter of acceptance from chosen educational institution, confirming your admission, subject of study and duration of the Master’s degree program (must not exceed one year).
- A proof of meeting any prerequisites, including language proficiency.
- A short essay – of about 500 words in English – giving reasons for applying for the OFID scholarship, explaining your educational goals, and clearly describing how
- you will use the experience gained from your Master’s degree studies to help in the development of your home country.
- Two letters of recommendation from professors and/or lecturers at applicant’s present university.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
The application deadline is May 1, 2016. Please do not call or email OFID to see if your application has been received or to inquire about your status. You will receive an automated confirmation once your application has been submitted. Only the winners will be notified by June 2, 2016 via our website.
For more information, visit OFID Scholarship Award.
