Faculty for the Future Fellowships 2027–2028: Funding Opportunity for Women in STEM from Developing and Emerging Countries

Women pursuing advanced careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) can apply for the Faculty for the Future 2027–2028 Fellowships, an international fellowship program designed to support women from developing countries and emerging economies who are preparing for doctoral or post-doctoral research careers.

The program aims to strengthen the representation of women in STEM by supporting talented female researchers who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, teaching experience, community engagement and a strong commitment to returning to their home countries or regions after completing their studies.

Applications for new 2027–2028 Faculty for the Future Fellowships will be submitted through the online application system, which opens on 1 September 2026. The application system will accept new applications until 6 November 2026.

For women who meet the eligibility requirements, this fellowship represents an opportunity to advance their academic and research careers while developing the expertise needed to contribute to STEM education, entrepreneurship, research and evidence-based policy development in their home countries.

Faculty for the Future Fellowships 2027–2028

The Faculty for the Future program focuses specifically on increasing opportunities for women in STEM disciplines in countries where women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Rather than simply supporting academic study, the fellowship places strong emphasis on the long-term contribution fellows can make after completing their studies. Successful applicants are expected to use their advanced education and research experience to contribute to socio-economic development in their home countries or regions.

This can include returning to an academic or research position, developing STEM-related businesses, addressing regional challenges through entrepreneurship, or using scientific expertise to contribute to public-sector policy development.

The program also places particular importance on inspiring and encouraging girls and women to pursue STEM education and careers.

Application Deadline for the 2027–2028 Fellowship

The online application system for new applications will open on:

1 September 2026

The application deadline is:

6 November 2026

Applications must be submitted through the online application system during the official application period.

Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the final days before the deadline. The organization emphasizes that preparing a high-quality application takes time, particularly because applicants need to organize academic records, references and information about their host university or research institute.

Who Is the Faculty for the Future Fellowship Designed For?

The fellowship is specifically designed for women from developing countries and emerging economies where women are underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

Applicants must be preparing for either:

• A PhD degree in a STEM discipline; or
• Post-doctoral research in a STEM discipline.

The program does not fund Master’s-level studies.

Candidates must also have an academic pathway connected to a university or research institution abroad. Applicants must either be enrolled in, admitted to, or have already applied to a suitable host university or research institute outside their home country.

Applications are no longer accepted from candidates who have not yet applied to a university.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should carefully review all eligibility requirements before beginning an application. Meeting the basic academic requirements alone does not guarantee eligibility or selection.

1. Applicants must be women from an eligible developing or emerging country

Candidates must be female citizens of a developing country or emerging economy where women are underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

Applicants are not eligible if they hold dual citizenship and one of those citizenships is from a developed country.

The eligible-country list is reviewed annually, meaning that the countries considered eligible can change from one application cycle to another.

2. Applicants must be pursuing a PhD or post-doctoral research

The Faculty for the Future program supports advanced STEM research rather than Master’s-level education.

Eligible applicants must therefore be preparing for:

• A PhD degree in a STEM field; or
• Post-doctoral research in a STEM field.

Applicants seeking funding for Master’s studies should therefore look for other scholarship or fellowship opportunities.

3. Applicants must have a host university or research institute abroad

Applicants must have already taken steps toward studying or conducting research at a host institution abroad.

They must be:

• Enrolled at a host university or research institute abroad;
• Admitted to a host university or research institute abroad; or
• Have applied to a host university or research institute abroad.

This requirement is particularly important because candidates who have not yet applied to a university are no longer eligible to apply.

For sandwich-course arrangements, the final degree must be awarded by the host university abroad or jointly with the home institution. The degree cannot be awarded solely by the university in the applicant’s home country.

4. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence

A strong academic record is one of the important factors considered during selection.

Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate strong academic performance and a clear progression toward advanced research.

Academic performance is specifically listed among the criteria considered during the selection process.

5. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to returning home

The fellowship is not intended simply to facilitate permanent relocation to another country.

Applicants must demonstrate a willingness to return to their home country or region after completing their studies and use their knowledge and expertise to contribute to socio-economic development.

This commitment is an important part of the selection process.

6. Applicants need teaching experience

Candidates are expected to have a proven record of teaching experience in their home country.

The program seeks fellows who can eventually contribute to STEM education and research capacity within their own countries and communities.

Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate how their previous teaching experience connects with their future academic, research or professional goals.

7. Applicants must demonstrate a clear post-study contribution

The program looks for candidates who have a realistic plan for using their STEM expertise after completing their studies.

This contribution may take several forms.

Academic or research careers

A fellow may return to an academic or research position within a STEM faculty and contribute to:

• University teaching
• Research
• STEM curriculum development
• Training future researchers
• Academic mentorship
• Scientific collaboration

STEM entrepreneurship

Applicants may also demonstrate an intention to use their STEM expertise to develop entrepreneurial solutions to regional challenges.

This could involve applying scientific knowledge to problems affecting communities, industries or local economies.

Public-sector leadership and policy

Another pathway involves using scientific and technical expertise within the public sector.

Applicants may contribute to evidence-based policymaking, including policies addressing STEM development and gender representation in science and technology.

8. Applicants must demonstrate leadership

Leadership is another important consideration.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate that they have taken initiative in their academic, professional or community activities.

Leadership can be demonstrated through areas such as:

• Academic leadership
• Research leadership
• Teaching
• Community initiatives
• Professional organizations
• STEM outreach
• Advocacy for women’s participation in STEM
• Projects addressing local or regional challenges

9. Applicants should demonstrate community outreach

The Faculty for the Future program is interested in applicants who extend their impact beyond their own academic careers.

Community engagement and outreach can demonstrate an applicant’s commitment to creating broader social impact.

Candidates should therefore clearly communicate their involvement in activities that benefit their communities or promote STEM participation.

10. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to encouraging girls and women in STEM

A particularly important component of the fellowship is the applicant’s commitment to encouraging girls and women to participate in STEM fields.

Successful candidates are expected to become role models and contribute to improving women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate previous or planned activities related to:

• Mentoring girls or women
• STEM education outreach
• Women’s participation in science
• STEM career awareness
• Community education
• Leadership programs
• Research or advocacy related to gender representation in STEM

Faculty for the Future Selection Criteria

A successful application goes through four selection rounds.

During the selection process, reviewers pay particular attention to several areas.

Academic performance

The applicant’s academic achievements and overall educational record are considered.

Quality of references

References are an important part of the application and can provide evidence of the applicant’s academic ability, research potential, leadership and professional development.

Applicants should therefore choose referees who can provide meaningful and credible assessments of their capabilities.

Quality of the host university

The quality and suitability of the proposed host university or research institution is also considered.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed research environment is appropriate for their academic and research objectives.

Commitment to returning home

The selection process examines whether the applicant has a credible commitment to returning to their home country or region after completing their studies.

Commitment to teaching, STEM entrepreneurship or policymaking

Applicants should demonstrate how they intend to apply their knowledge after completing their fellowship.

The program particularly values candidates who intend to contribute through:

• STEM teaching
• Academic research
• STEM entrepreneurship
• Public-sector leadership
• Evidence-based policymaking

Relevance of research to the home country

The applicant’s proposed research should have relevance to their home country or region.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate why their research matters and how the knowledge gained could eventually contribute to addressing challenges at home.

Commitment to inspiring girls and women into STEM

The applicant’s commitment to encouraging women and girls to enter STEM is another important consideration.

This means the fellowship looks beyond academic excellence and considers the potential broader impact of the candidate.

Why the Eligible Country List Can Change

Faculty for the Future does not rely on a single international classification system to determine eligibility.

Instead, it considers information from multiple sources and indicators relating to development, science, gender and education.

The organization states that important sources include:

• The United Nations Human Development Index
• The United Nations Gender Inequality Index
• UNESCO Institute for Statistics
• Female and Education Ratio indicators
• Female participation in STEM at tertiary education level
• STEM enrolment in tertiary education

Because development conditions and women’s participation in STEM can change over time, a country may appear on the eligible list in one year and no longer qualify in another year, or it may become eligible in a subsequent year.

This makes it particularly important for applicants to check the official country list for the specific fellowship cycle rather than relying exclusively on a previous year’s list.

What the Fellowship Looks For Beyond Academic Grades

One of the most important aspects of the Faculty for the Future program is that it evaluates applicants based on their potential long-term impact.

The ideal candidate is not simply an academically strong researcher.

The program seeks women who can become influential STEM professionals and leaders in their home countries.

A strong candidate may demonstrate a combination of:

• Excellent academic performance
• Strong research potential
• Teaching experience
• Leadership ability
• Community engagement
• Commitment to returning home
• A relevant research agenda
• STEM entrepreneurship potential
• Public-sector or policy ambitions
• Commitment to women’s participation in STEM
• A clear vision for creating impact after graduation

This means applicants should present a coherent story connecting their academic background, research interests, professional experience, future goals and anticipated contribution to their country.

How to Prepare a Competitive Application

The Faculty for the Future application guidance emphasizes the importance of preparing well in advance.

Develop a clear application strategy

Applicants should ensure that every component of the application supports the same overall narrative.

Your academic background, research proposal, career objectives, references and plans for returning home should complement one another.

Demonstrate your long-term vision

A strong application should make it clear what you intend to do after completing your PhD or post-doctoral research.

Explain how your advanced training will translate into tangible contributions in your country or region.

Connect your research to local needs

Applicants should clearly explain why their research matters to their home country.

A research proposal becomes stronger when it demonstrates a meaningful connection between the research question and real challenges affecting communities, industries, institutions or public policy.

Highlight your STEM leadership

Do not focus exclusively on academic achievements.

Where relevant, demonstrate your involvement in:

• Teaching
• Mentoring
• Research projects
• Community initiatives
• STEM outreach
• Leadership activities
• Women’s empowerment initiatives
• Entrepreneurship
• Policy-related work

Demonstrate your commitment to women in STEM

Because encouraging girls and women into STEM is an explicit program priority, applicants should clearly demonstrate their commitment to this area.

Previous experience is particularly valuable, but applicants should also communicate how they plan to continue this work in the future.

Start early

The application window runs from 1 September to 6 November 2026.

Applicants should use the period before September to review their eligibility, identify or confirm their host institution, prepare their research plans, organize references and gather supporting information.

Waiting until the final days of the application period can make it difficult to produce a thoughtful and competitive application.

Important Considerations for Prospective Applicants

Before applying, candidates should pay particular attention to several issues.

First, the fellowship is specifically for women in STEM, and Master’s-level studies are not funded.

Second, applicants must have already applied to, been admitted to, or be enrolled at a host university or research institute abroad. Candidates who have not yet applied to a university are not eligible under the stated criteria.

Third, the applicant must demonstrate a genuine intention to return to their home country or region and contribute to its development.

Fourth, academic excellence is important, but it is not the only consideration. Leadership, teaching, community engagement, research relevance and commitment to women in STEM are also central to the selection process.

Finally, applicants should verify the eligible-country list for the 2027–2028 cycle, as the list is reviewed annually.

Application Timeline

Applicants should submit their applications before the stated deadline and ensure that all required information and accompanying materials are properly prepared.

Click HERE to read more and apply.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The Faculty for the Future Fellowship could be particularly relevant to women who are already building careers in STEM and want to progress to advanced research, academic leadership, entrepreneurship or policymaking.

Potential applicants may include women working or studying in fields such as:

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Scientific research
• STEM education
• Technology entrepreneurship
• Research and innovation
• STEM policy

However, applicants must satisfy the program’s specific eligibility requirements, including the academic level, host institution, nationality, academic record, teaching experience, leadership and commitment to returning home.

Final Thoughts

The Faculty for the Future 2027–2028 Fellowship offers an important opportunity for women from eligible developing countries and emerging economies who are pursuing advanced STEM research and want to use their expertise to create lasting impact in their home countries.

The program goes beyond supporting academic advancement. Its selection criteria emphasize academic excellence, quality references, suitable host institutions, relevant research, teaching, leadership, community outreach, STEM entrepreneurship, policy engagement and a demonstrated commitment to encouraging girls and women to enter STEM.

For eligible candidates, preparation should begin well before the application portal opens. The application period runs from 1 September 2026 to 6 November 2026, giving prospective applicants a defined period to submit their applications.

Because the eligible-country list is reviewed annually, applicants should also verify their country’s status for the 2027–2028 cycle before applying.

Women who meet the program’s requirements and have a clear vision for using advanced STEM knowledge to contribute to their communities, institutions and countries may find the Faculty for the Future Fellowship particularly relevant to their long-term academic and professional goals.

Click HERE for more fellowship opportunities.