The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) invites applications from graduate students from developing countries for its 2014-2015 scholarship. OFID’s Scholarship Program sponsors outstanding young students from developing countries through graduate studies in a development-related discipline.
Launched in 2005, OFID’s Scholarship Program sponsors outstanding young students from developing countries through graduate studies in a development-related discipline. Through the program, OFID aims to help highly motivated, highly driven individuals overcome one of the biggest challenges to their careers – the cost of advanced professional or graduate training.
Worth of Award
- The terms and conditions of payment will be determined in coordination with the student upon his/her selection in accordance with the following guidelines:
- 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 on a quarterly basis.
- Prior to the start of his/her first year studies, the student will be paid a relocation grant, equal to two-month allowance. 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 2013, 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.
Nationals of the following countries are also eligible:
- Angola
- Benin
Botswana
Burundi
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chad
Central African Republic
Comoros
Congo DR
Republic of Congo
Cote d’l voire
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Kenya
Lao
Lesotho
Lebanon
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
- Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sudan
Swaziland - São Tomé & Principe
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia - Uganda
- Zambia
Zimbabwe
How to Apply
PLEASE NOTE: Kindly read ALL of the directions below before proceeding with the application process:
- Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all necessary information. Applications will be evaluated based on the information provided. Therefore, all questions should be answered as thoroughly as possible. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Once an application has been submitted, no changes will be allowed on it.
- OFID will not consider applications received through a third party.
- Please do not call or email OFID to ask if your application has been received, or to inquire about your status.
- Please note that only the winner will be notified.
- All materials submitted become the property of OFID and will not be returned to the applicant.
- Applicants must complete the on-line application.
- Within the on-line application, applicants must upload the required documents as listed below in Section III. All materials including the on-line application, recommendations, and other required information must be received no later than May 1, 2014.
- A completed on-line application form.
- A scanned copy of the applicants 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.
- 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).
Deadline: The application deadline is May 1, 2014. 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 one application has been submitted. Only the winners will be notified by June 13, 2014 via their website.
Click here for more details and to apply online