PhD Fellowships

For developing countries, and especially the Least Developed Countries, PhD scientists help build a foundation for scientific strength and human prosperity. TWAS offers between 100 - 160 PhD fellowships a year at some of the most respected institutions in the developing world. These fellowships are hosted in Brazil, China, India, Pakistan and South Africa.
 

The results for the 2022/2023 NRF-TWAS PhD fellowships are available here.

 

Before applying:

  • Applications can only be submitted via the online portal once the call is open.
  • Please use the "Apply now" button at the bottom of each programme page to start your application once the call is open.
  • Both the opening and closing dates will be mentioned on each individual programme page.
  • Applicants are encouraged to apply for the preliminary acceptance letter as early as possible, even before the opening date of the call. Only Acceptance letters dated the same year as the year of application are eligible.
  • Please be advised that applicants may apply for only one programme per calendar year in the TWAS and OWSD portfolio. Applicants will not be eligible to visit another institution in that year under the TWAS Visiting Professor programmes. One exception: The head of an institution who invites an external scholar to share his/her expertise under the TWAS Visiting Professor programmes may still apply for another programme.
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The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) and TWAS have established a sandwich fellowship programme for foreign scholars from developing countries who wish to pursue part of their research toward a PhD in a field of the natural and related applied sciences, in departments and laboratories of public and private universities of Türkiye (Turkey) and TÜBİTAK Research Centers and Institutes.

Deadline
Partner Organizations
  • Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye
  • Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye
Host countries
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
For a minimum period of 6 months to a maximum period of 12 months.
Field
01-Agricultural Sciences, 02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology, 03-Biological Systems and Organisms, 04-Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences, 05-Chemical Sciences, 06-Engineering Sciences, 07-Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences, 08-Mathematical Sciences, 09-Physics
Age limit
35
Sandwich option
YES

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of India and UNESCO-TWAS have established a number of fellowships for foreign scholars from developing countries, who wish to pursue research toward a PhD in emerging areas of science and technology, for which facilities are available in CSIR laboratories and institutes.

Deadline
Partner Organizations
  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India
  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India
Host countries
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
Up to 4 years
Field
01-Agricultural Sciences, 02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology, 03-Biological Systems and Organisms, 04-Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences, 05-Chemical Sciences, 06-Engineering Sciences, 07-Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences, 08-Mathematical Sciences, 09-Physics
Age limit
35
Sandwich option
YES

The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) in Brasilia, Brazil, and TWAS offer full time postgraduate fellowships to young scientists from developing countries (other than Brazil) who wish to pursue research towards a PhD at host institutes in Brazil.

Deadline
Partner Organizations
  • Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development
  • Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development
Host countries
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
Up to 4 years
Field
01-Agricultural Sciences, 02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology, 03-Biological Systems and Organisms, 04-Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences, 05-Chemical Sciences, 06-Engineering Sciences, 07-Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences, 08-Mathematical Sciences, 09-Physics, 10-Social and Economic Sciences
Age limit
None
Sandwich option
No

TWAS and the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata, India, offer fellowships to young foreign scientists from developing countries who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in physical sciences

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
  • S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences
  • S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences
Host countries
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
5 years
Field
05-Chemical Sciences, 08-Mathematical Sciences, 09-Physics
Age limit
35
Sandwich option
YES

The International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) — comprising the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular and Drug Research in Karachi, Pakistan — and TWAS offer fellowships to young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in chemical and biological sciences.

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
  • International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, Pakistan
  • International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, Pakistan
Host countries
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
Minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months
Field
01-Agricultural Sciences, 02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology, 03-Biological Systems and Organisms, 04-Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences, 05-Chemical Sciences
Age limit
35
Sandwich option
YES

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Ministry of Science and Technology in India, and UNESCO-TWAS established a fellowship programme for foreign scholars from developing countries who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in biotechnology.

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
  • Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India
  • Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India
Host countries
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
up to 5 years
Field
01-Agricultural Sciences, 02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology, 03-Biological Systems and Organisms, 04-Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences, 05-Chemical Sciences
Age limit
35
Sandwich option
YES

The Lahore University of Management Sciences, (LUMS), Pakistan — and TWAS offer fellowships to young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in Natural Sciences and Engineering.

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
-
-
Host countries
Eligible nationalities
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
Maximum of 60 months (5 years)
Field
02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology, 03-Biological Systems and Organisms, 05-Chemical Sciences, 06-Engineering Sciences, 08-Mathematical Sciences, 09-Physics
Age limit
35
Sandwich option
No

According to an agreement between the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS/UNESCO) for the advancement of science in developing countries, up to 40 students/scholars from developing countries will be sponsored to study in China for doctoral degrees for up to 4 years

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • The Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO)
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • The Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO)
Host countries
Eligible nationalities
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
Up to 4 years
Field
01-Agricultural Sciences, 02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology, 03-Biological Systems and Organisms, 04-Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences, 05-Chemical Sciences, 06-Engineering Sciences, 07-Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences, 08-Mathematical Sciences, 09-Physics, 10-Social and Economic Sciences
Age limit
35
Sandwich option
No

The Research Support Foundation of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP) in Brazil and TWAS offer sandwich postgraduate fellowships to young scientists from developing countries (other than Brazil) who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in selected fields of the natural and engineering sciences.

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
  • São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
  • São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
Host countries
Eligible nationalities
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
up to 12 months
Field
01-Agricultural Sciences, 02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology, 03-Biological Systems and Organisms, 04-Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences, 05-Chemical Sciences, 06-Engineering Sciences, 07-Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences, 08-Mathematical Sciences, 09-Physics
Age limit
None
Sandwich option
YES

Under this scheme, PhD scholarships are awarded to promising candidates from LDCs. Applicants must have obtained their MSc in an area relevant to the topics under the umbrella of climate change – which is a broad and interdisciplinary field– or they must obtain the MSc degree by December 2022.

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
  • Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
  • Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Eligible nationalities
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
Up to 4 years
Field
00-Interdisciplinary
Age limit
40
Sandwich option
YES

UNESCO-TWAS has partnered with the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMSTECH) for TWAS-COMSTECH Science in Exile Fellowship Programme for displaced and refugee scholars and scientists.
This PhD Fellowship Programme aims to provide displaced and refugee scholars and scientists, who have not yet found a safe and long-term host country, to pursue doctoral studies in Pakistan, at institutions members of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence.

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
  • Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC (COMSTECH)
  • Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC (COMSTECH)
Host countries
Eligible nationalities
Minimum degree held
MSc
Duration
Up to 12 months
Field
01-Agricultural Sciences, 02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology, 03-Biological Systems and Organisms, 04-Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences, 05-Chemical Sciences, 06-Engineering Sciences, 07-Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences, 08-Mathematical Sciences, 09-Physics
Age limit
None
Sandwich option
No