World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program 2019/2020 for PhD Candidates from developing Countries

Application Deadline: May 2, 2019.

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSMFP) provides support to developing country citizens (.xlsx) who are current PhD candidates studying in developing countries, funding up to $25,000 to conduct PhD research on a development topic in a World Bank member country other than the Fellow’s home country or country of residence.This is a wonderful opportunity for the most promising developing nation researchers to advance their doctoral work with the best international advisors and host institutions in their fields of study.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants Must:

• Be a national of a World Bank member developing country (.xlsx);
• Not hold dual citizenship of a developed country;
• Be 35 years of age or younger on the Application Deadline date;
• Be enrolled in a PhD program in a member developing country of the World Bank at the time of application
• Reside in a member developing country of the World Bank since enrolled in the PhD program;
• Have completed all coursework and exam requirements for attaining a PhD at the time of application;
• Have a PhD thesis centered on a field of development.
• Not be a staff member (which includes consultant) or a relative of a staff member of the World Bank Group

*Please note: All eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made. Eligibility criteria WILL NOT change during an open call for applications. However, this information is subject to change between the close of one application process and the opening of the next.

Benefits:

RSMFP provides up to $25,000 (U.S.) for developing country nationals to travel abroad to conduct development-related PhD research under the supervision of a host advisor at a university, research or development institution in a World Bank member country. The Scholarship covers a 6 to 10 month period.

Selection Criteria:

The RSMFP uses the following process to review completed applications, with the aim to identify eligible candidates with the most innovative and relevant research proposals in the area of development.

Two qualified reviewers independently review each eligible application to assess the following:

1. Quality of the proposed fellowship (70%)
2. Prospects for a productive career in research on development post-PhD (30%) 

Information provided by your PhD thesis supervisor and your host institution research advisor are particularly important elements of your application.

The World Bank Robert S. McNamara Secretariat uses the average score of the two reviewers and the following other aspects to select the finalists:

• Maintaining a reasonably wide geographical distribution of awards;
• Maintaining a reasonable distribution of awards across gender;
• Giving fellowships to those applicants who, other things equal, appear to have limited financial resources;
• Giving preference to applicants currently employed as lecturers or researchers at an academic or research institution in a member developing country of the World Bank;
• Giving preference to applicants who have not received a JJ/WBGSP scholarship for a master’s degree program. 

How to Apply:

The RSMFP application must be completed online by the Application Deadline date and include:

• The completed application form
• An agreement to the terms and conditions for an RSMFP fellowship listed on the Application Form’s Signature Page;
• A completed recommendation form submitted online by the host university research advisor; and
• A completed recommendation form submitted online by the PhD Thesis supervisor.

All required documents must be uploaded online. Any documents an applicant provides by email, post or any means other than the online application form will not be reviewed.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program 2019