The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program

Application Deadline: Wednesday February 11, 2015.

The 2015 World Bank (Robert S, McNamara) Fellowships Call for Applications will open on Wednesday January 7, 2015 and will close on Wednesday February 11, 2015.
The Robert S. McNamara World Bank Fellowships Program was established in 1982 to honor the former President of the World Bank. The Program awards fellowships of up to $25,000 annually for developing country PhD candidates to conduct innovative, development-related, doctoral research under the supervision of a research advisor at a host institution abroad.

The Program’s funding comes from investment income earned from an endowment fund set up by contributions from the World Bank and the governments of Bangladesh, China, India, Kuwait, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, and former Yugoslavia.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be from developing countries and currently enrolled in a PhD program for which they have completed all coursework and exam requirements.
Lecturers or researchers working in an academic or research institution in their home, developing, countries are particularly encouraged to apply.

What does the Program Support?

The purpose of the grant is to help fellows advance their doctoral research work through a residency period of 6 to 10 months in a host institution of their choice outside of their country.
During the research period at the host institution, the fellows are expected to have access to essential resources such as reference books and research publications, databases, and software; attend seminars and courses; and to benefit by interacting with peers.

Host Institution

Candidates should be accepted or invited by a host institution which would designate an academic advisor to assist the fellow during his research period. Host institutions should also commit to provide the fellow with basic amenities such as office space and access to a computer, and to facilitate his/her research activities.

Fields of research

The candidate’s field of research should be related to development, in fields such as economics, health, education, agriculture, environment, natural resource management, or other development-related subject.

Grants

Candidates are requested to submit a budget for their fellowship, using the Robert S. McNamara budget template provided on the fellowship’s website, covering the costs related to their research program: tuition; living allowance; basic medical and/or accident insurance; travel; and an allowance for the cost of research, including books, research materials, software, local field trips (for data collection), research expenses, fees for host institution seminars/conferences, printing and other miscellaneous expenses.
The maximum amount of the grant is US$25,000.

Fellow’s Commitment

Fellows are required to issue two reports, a mid-term report during the fellowship period and a final report containing the results of the McNamara sponsored research. Fellows are expected to return to their home countries upon completion of the fellowship to complete their PhD and work.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a fellowship award:

Your home country is a World Bank member developing country.
You are not a dual citizen of a developed country.
You are currently enrolled in a PhD program in a World Bank member country.
You will have completed all coursework and exam requirements for your PhD at the time of application.
You have a master’s degree.
You are 35 years or younger as of February 11th, 2015.
You meet one of the following conditions:

a) You are enrolled in a PhD program in your home country, and not currently employed.
b) You are enrolled in a PhD program in your home country or another World Bank member country and are working in an academic or research institution in your home country.

You are accepted as a visiting scholar for a period of six to ten months by a university or research center in a World Bank member country other than your home country.
Your research proposal is endorsed by your PhD thesis supervisor and your host institution.
You can begin your fellowship between July and December 2015.
You are able to complete your proposed fellowship research in 6 to 10 months.
You commit to returning to your home country to complete your PhD and work after completion of your research.
You are not an Executive Director, his/her alternate, staff, or consultant of the World Bank Group (the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, International Development Association, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes), and you do not have any relatives or in-laws who are employed by the World Bank Group in any capacity, including consulting.

Application Forms

The 2015 Robert S. McNamara (RSM) World Bank Fellowship Application will be an online application, available through the RSM website from January 7, 2015 to February 11, 2015. Both references and the application form will be submitted through this online platform. The application itself will be in English, but applicants may choose to complete it in either English, French or Spanish.

Contact E-Mail:

rsm_fellowships@worldbank.org.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program was established in 1982 by a resolution of the Executive Directors to “award fellowships for full-time study or research at the postgraduate level in fields related to economic development, to be carried out at a recognized institution in a Bank member country other than the applicant’s home country”. The award amount was fixed at US$7,500 to cover research costs through the twelve months fellowship period.

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program provides support to young researchers working in academic and research institutions from eligible countries preparing a doctoral thesis. Research grants cover residence costs for a 5 to 10 month period in a renowned university or research center. Fellows are expected to advance their research work mainly by using the facilities and resources provided by the host institution and by interacting with peers.

Who Can Apply?

Only lecturers and researchers from eligible countries working on their doctoral thesis can apply for the fellowship. Candidates should be under 45 years, and have completed any course work or exams required for their doctoral program.

What Does the Program Support?

The purpose of the grant is to help fellows advance their doctoral research work through a residency period of five to ten months in a host institution in a country other than their home country or country of residence. During the research period at the host institution, the fellows are expected to have access to essential resources such as reference books and research publications, databases, and software; attend seminars and eventually courses; and to benefit by interacting with peers.

Host Institution

Fields of Research

Candidate’s field of research should be related to development at the master’s level, in fields such as economics, health, education, agriculture, environment, natural resource management, or other development‑related subject.

Fellowships Award

Eligible candidates are evaluated by external reviewers based on three criteria: academic performance, teaching and research experience, and relevance of the proposed research program. The top candidates are submitted to the Selection Committee, which includes World Bank senior experts and Donors representatives, for final selection. In addition to the merit criteria, the Selection Committee takes into account other factors such as availability of budget, geographical diversity and gender balance.

Grants

Candidates are requested to submit a budget for their fellowship covering the costs related to their research program: travel; insurance and living expenses; fees for courses and participation to seminars; and a books and software allowance. The grant amount to be awarded to each fellow will be decided by the Selection Committee. The maximum amount of the grant is US$ 25,000.

Fellow’s Commitment

Fellows are required to issue two reports, a mid-term report during the fellowship period and a final report containing the results of the research. The results of the McNamara fellows research work may be considered for publication by the World Bank. Fellows are expected to return to their home countries and resume their academic or research position upon completion of the fellowship. They are also expected to mention the McNamara fellowship award in any publication related to their doctoral research work, including their thesis, and to provide the Program with a copy of their thesis upon graduation.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following general criteria to be eligible for a fellowship award:

Be a national and resident of a World Bank member country which is currently eligible to borrow;
Candidates should be under 45 years of age. Candidates born before July 31, 1968 will not be considered;
Must have completed and been awarded at least a Master’s degree, or equivalent, at the time of application;
Be regularly registered in a development related doctoral program;
Must have completed all coursework and exam requirements for their doctoral program;
Be employed as full time lecturer or researcher by an academic or research institution in their home country;
Be accepted as a visiting scholar by a renowned university located outside the country of origin or residence for a period of five to ten months.

Application Forms

Application forms for Robert S. McNamara (RSM) Fellowships Program are available in English, French, and Spanish in PDF format.

Each application consists of the three documents: 1) RSM Application Form 2013-14; 2) Letter of Reference (Professional or Academic), and 3) Statement of Acceptance by Host Institution & Research Adviser

The deadline for submission of applications for Robert S. McNamara (RSM) Fellowships Program is July 31, 2013.

RSM Application Form for 2013/2014

Letter of Reference (Professional or Academic)

Statement of Acceptance by Host Institution & Research Adviser (pdf, 66 KB)

2015 World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program $25,000 for PhD candidates from developing countries.

Robert S. McNamara (RSM)/World Bank Fellowships Program