SSchlumberger Foundation (SLB Foundation)
Partially funded
Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship (PhD and Postdoctoral, STEM)
Schlumberger Foundation (SLB Foundation), France
Scholarship overview
The Faculty for the Future programme of the Schlumberger Foundation funds women from low and middle income countries to do a PhD or postdoctoral research in a STEM discipline at a well-ranked university or research institute abroad. The award is portable: it is not tied to one country, and the host institution can be a university in France provided it is well ranked and recognised for strong research in the applicant's field.
The Foundation focuses on countries with a low UN Human Development Index where women are underrepresented in STEM, and particularly encourages applications in physical sciences, engineering, computer science and mathematics. Awards in the biological sciences are limited. Master's level studies are not funded.
The programme expects fellows to return to their home country or region after their studies to contribute to its socio-economic development, as an academic or researcher in a STEM faculty, a STEM entrepreneur or a public-sector scientist working on STEM policy.
For 2026-2027, 597 applications were submitted and 54 new grants were awarded.
Award Information
- Be female and a citizen of a low or middle income country on the 2026-2027 eligible list (for example Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe; see the full list on the official page).
- Applicants holding dual citizenship that includes a developed country are not eligible. A grant is discontinued from the date a fellow later obtains developed-country citizenship.
- Be preparing for a PhD or postdoctoral research in a STEM discipline. Master's studies are not funded.
- Be enrolled in, admitted to or have applied to a host university or research institute abroad that is well ranked and recognised for strong research in your field. Applications are not accepted before you have applied to a university.
- Sandwich PhDs are accepted only if the final degree is awarded by (or jointly with) the foreign host university.
- Hold an excellent academic record.
- Have a record of teaching experience in your home country and show commitment to return home to a STEM academic or research post, STEM entrepreneurship or public-sector STEM policy work.
- Show leadership, community outreach and a record of encouraging girls and women into STEM.
- Schlumberger employees are not eligible.
- No age limit.
- Grants cover the applicant only and are based on actual expenses: tuition and bench fees, accommodation, and a living allowance (food, small allowance for books and supplies, medical insurance, transport).
- A budget for initial travel to the host country, visa charges and conference expenses.
- Up to USD 50,000 per year for PhD programmes and a maximum of USD 40,000 for postdoctoral research.
- Exceptional child-care grant at the Foundation's discretion for children up to 15 living with the grantee in the host country: up to USD 3,000 per year per child under 6 and up to USD 1,500 per year per child aged 6 to 15. School tuition fees are not covered.
- Initial duration is one academic year; renewal is not automatic and depends on academic progress, references (a host supervisor reference is mandatory) and the Foundation's discretion.
2027-2028 fellowships: the online system accepts new applications from 1 September 2026 to 7 November 2026. The session opens each year in mid-September and closes in mid-November. Results are usually posted on the application site by the end of March, and the grant is valid until spring of the following year, by which time studies must have started at a host university named in the application.
- Check that you meet the eligibility criteria, including the country list and the STEM PhD or postdoc requirement.
- Apply to or secure admission at a host university or research institute abroad (for example in France).
- Create an account on the online application system during the open session.
- Complete the application form, including personal essay and research proposal statement, and upload documents in the Upload doc tab.
- Give details of other funding sources.
- Submit before the deadline. Submitted applications cannot be modified, and your referees are then notified by email.
Official links
Documents you will need
- Personal essay
- Research proposal statement
- Academic diploma and transcripts
- Admission letter or proof of application from the host university (English translation not mandatory)
- References, including a host university supervisor reference for renewals
- Evidence of commitment to return home and links with home-country universities
How selection works
- First round: compliance with eligibility criteria such as country, discipline and overall application quality.
- Second round: scoring on academic performance, quality of references, scientific interest of the research proposal, commitment to teaching, relevance of research to the home country, commitment to inspiring young women into science, and quality of the host university.
- Third round: review by the Foundation's scientific committee.
- Fourth round: telephone interviews by Board and executive management members.
- Final round: selection by the Board of Directors.
