OWSD PhD Fellowships for Women Scientists from Science- and Technology-Lagging Countries
Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)
STEM PhD fellowships for women from 66 science- and technology-lagging countries (Ghana included) at host institutes in the Global South, full-time (up to 4 years) or sandwich. No call was issued in 2025 and no 2026 call has been announced.
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Eligibility
- Who can apply
- Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic and 61 more
- Education required
- Masters completed
- Open to
- Women only
- Fields
- Stem
- Residency
- Applicants resident in, or registered at a university in, a developed country are not eligible; the host institute must be in a developing country (not Europe, the UK or the USA)
- Also required
- Minimum MSc degree (or equivalent) in a STEM subject
- Preliminary acceptance letter and commitment letter from a supervisor at an eligible host institute
- Two reference letters from two different senior scientists familiar with your work (sandwich applicants: home PhD supervisor cannot be a referee)
- Sandwich track: must already be registered for a PhD at a home institution in an eligible country
About this opportunity
The OWSD PhD Fellowship, funded by Sida, supports women from the 66 Science and Technology Lagging Countries (Ghana is listed) to do PhD research in STEM at a host institution in another developing country; hosts in Europe, the UK or the USA are excluded. Tracks: a full-time fellowship of up to four years at the host, or a sandwich fellowship for women already registered for a PhD at home, with up to three research visits totalling 20 months.
It covers travel, a monthly living allowance, visa costs, medical insurance, a small research allowance and study fees shared with the host. Applicants need at least an MSc, a preliminary acceptance letter from the host and two reference letters from senior scientists. Calls historically opened in March and closed in May, but OWSD announced no call in 2025 for funding reasons and, as of August 2026, no new call has been published.
- Level
- PhD
- Where
- Multiple countries
- Duration
- Full-time: up to 4 years at the host institute; Sandwich: up to 3 research visits totalling 20 months (first visit at least 6 months)
- Difficulty
- High · about 10 weeks to prepare
Funding
Fully funded
- tuition
- stipend
- travel
- visa
- health insurance
- research costs
- training
Travel to/from host institute, monthly allowance for accommodation and meals, visa costs, yearly medical insurance contribution, modest annual research-support allowance, study/tuition fees shared with host, and invitations to regional science-communication and proposal-writing workshops. Exact amounts are not published.
What you will need
- Degree certificate
- Admission offer
- Research proposal
- Reference letters (2)
- CV / résumé
Based on the OWSD FAQ and reference-letter guidance: degree certificate(s), preliminary acceptance/commitment letter from the host supervisor, research proposal, two reference letters from senior scientists; the full checklist is only visible inside the online application form when a call is open.
Track this application and eStudent360 turns the list into a checklist and, with Plus, a dated plan that works back from the deadline.