[URBANTH-L] FUNDING: Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP)

[Angela Jancius]

Introduction

The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP) provides
opportunities for advanced study to exceptional individuals who will use
this education to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering
development in their own countries and greater economic and social justice
worldwide.  To ensure that Fellows are drawn from diverse backgrounds, IFP
actively seeks candidates from social groups and communities that lack
systematic access to higher education.

IFP is the largest single program ever supported by the Ford Foundation.  By
investing $280 million over ten years through 2010, the Foundation intends
to build on its half century of support for higher education.  Foundation
programs have long promoted the highest educational standards and
achievement.  Ford Fellowship recipients have become leaders in institutions
around the world and have helped build global knowledge in fields ranging
across the natural and social sciences as well as the humanities and arts.
IFP draws on this tradition and underscores the Foundation's belief that
education enables people to improve their own lives as well as to assist
others in the common pursuit of more equitable and just societies.

General Guidelines

The International Fellowships Program provides support for up to three years
of formal graduate-level study leading to a master's or doctoral degree.
Fellows are selected from countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin
America, and Russia, where the Ford Foundation maintains active overseas
programs.  U.S. nationals are not eligible, although Fellows may study in
the United States.

Fellows are chosen on the basis of their leadership potential and commitment
to community or national service, as well as for academic excellence.
Fellows may enroll in master's or doctoral programs and may pursue any
academic discipline or field of study that is consistent with the interests
and goals of the Ford Foundation.  The Foundation currently works in fifteen
fields to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice,
promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement.

Once selected, Fellows may enroll in an appropriate university program
anywhere in the world, including their country of residence.  The program
provides placement assistance to those Fellows not yet admitted to graduate
school.

IFP support also enables Fellows to undertake short-term language study and
training in research and computer skills prior to graduate school
enrollment.  In addition, new Fellows attend orientation sessions, while
current Fellows actively participate in learning and discussion activities
designed to create information and exchange networks among IFP Fellows
worldwide.  Finally, the program strongly encourages IFP alumni to maintain
contact with the program after completing the Fellowships to help them
remain current in their respective fields through the expanding IFP network.

Because local requirements vary widely among IFP countries, applicants
should carefully follow the specific application guidelines provided by the
relevant IFP International Partner organizations listed below, including
deadlines for the submission of applications.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be resident nationals or residents of an eligible IFP
country.  In addition, successful candidates will:
*  Demonstrate superior achievement in their undergraduate studies and hold
a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent.
*  Have substantial experience in community service or development-related
activities.
*  Possess leadership potential evidenced by their employment and academic
experience.
*  Propose to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree that will directly enhance
their leadership capacity in a practical, policy, academic, or artistic
discipline or field corresponding to one or more of the Foundation's areas
of endeavor.
*  Present a plan specifying how they will apply their studies to social
problems or issues in their own countries.  Commit themselves to working on
these issues following the fellowship period.
*  IFP selects Fellows on the strength of their clearly-stated intention to
serve their communities and countries of origin, and expects that they will
honor this obligation.

IFP Fields of Study

IFP Fellows may choose to study in any academic discipline or field of study
related to the Ford Foundation's three grant-making areas, which are:
Asset Building and Community Development
Children, Youth and Families
Sexuality and Reproductive Health
Work-Force Development
Development Finance and Economic Security
Environment and Development
Community Development
Education, Media, Arts and Culture
Education Reform
Higher Education and Scholarship
Religion, Society and Culture
Media
Arts and Culture
Peace and Social Justice
Human Rights
International Cooperation
Governance
Civil Society

The Application Process

All applications must be submitted to the appropriate IFP International
Partner listed below in the country or region where the applicant resides.
IFP International Partners determine application deadlines and selection
schedules in their region or country.  Applications are reviewed and final
selections decided by panels composed of practitioners and scholars from
various fields of work and study.  The level and duration of awards are
determined as part of the selection process.  Ford Foundation staff and
their family members may not serve on selection panels and are not eligible
to apply for IFP awards.  Members of selection committees, staff of the
organizations managing the program in the various regions, and their family
members are also ineligible for IFP awards.

IFP International Partner Offices

China
Institute of International Education Beijing Office
http://www.china-ifp.org/

India
United State Educational Foundation in India (USEFI)
http://www.ifpsa.org/

Indonesia
Indonesian International Education Foundation (IIEF)
http://www.iief.or.id/ifp/ifp.html

Philippines
Philippines Social Science Council (PSSC)
http://www.pssc.org.ph/programs/ifp

Thailand
Asian Scholarship Foundation (ASF)
http://www.asianscholarship.org/ifp/ifp.html

Vietnam
Center for Educational Exchange with Vietnam (CEEVN)
http://www.acls.org/ceevn/ifpguidelines.htm

Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal
Association of African Universities (AAU)
http://www.aau.org/ifp

Kenya
Forum of African Women Educationalists
http://www.ifpeastafrica.org/
Uganda
Association for Advancement of Higher Education and Development (AHEAD)
http://www.ifpeastafrica.org/

Tanzania
Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF)
http://www.ifpeastafrica.org/

Mozambique
Africa-America Institute (AAI)
http://www.ifpmoz.co.mz/

South Africa
Africa-America Institute (AAI)
http://www.aaisa.org.za/

Egypt and Palestine
America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST)
http://www.amideast.org/programs_services/exchange_programs/ifp/default.htm

Chile and Peru
International Fellowships Fund for the Andean Region & Southern Cone
http://www.programabecas.org/

Brazil
Carlos Chagas Foundation (CCF)
http://www.programabolsa.org.br

Guatemala
Center for Research on the Mesoamerica Region (CIRMA)
http://www.cirma.org.gt/becas.htm

Mexico
Center for Research and Higher Studies in Social Science (CIESAS)
http://www.ciesas.edu.mx/bibdf/ciesas-ford/home.html

Russia
Institute of International Education Russia and Eurasia Office
http://www.iie.ru/IFP