2015 World Bank Robert S. McNamara PhD Research Fellowships for Developing Countries

Applications are on-going for the 2015 World Bank Robert S. McNamara PhD Research Fellowships for Developing Countries. 

The World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowship 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 through a residency period of 6 to 10 months.

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.

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.

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.

Scholarship Value

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.

Eligibility

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.

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.

Application Procedure and Deadline

The 2015 World Bank Robert S. McNamara PhD Research Fellowships for Developing Countries will be an online application, available through the RSM website from 7 January 2015 to 11 February 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 English, French or Spanish. All forms and relevant document needed in going about applying for this scholarship program is available from the official website link below.

Official 2015 World Bank Robert S. McNamara PhD Research Fellowships for Developing Countries Website – http://go.worldbank.org/993QOP76R0