Schlumberger Faculty for the Future Fellowships 2027 for Women in STEM

Overview

Gender disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics remain a persistent global challenge, particularly in developing and emerging economies where women often face additional barriers to pursuing advanced research careers. The Schlumberger Foundation's Faculty for the Future Fellowships were created specifically to address this gap, supporting women from low- and middle-income countries who want to pursue a PhD or post-doctoral research in STEM fields at well-ranked universities abroad. Now open for the 2027-2028 cycle, with the online application system live from 1 September 2026 through 7 November 2026, the programme carries a long and well-established track record: launched in 2004, Faculty for the Future has supported more than 800 women scientists from over 80 countries. What sets the programme apart from many other international scholarships is its explicit focus on building a long-term pipeline of female academic and research leadership within fellows' home countries, with every recipient committing to return home after completing her studies to contribute to science, technology, and policy in the communities and countries that need it most.

Scholarship Details

Faculty for the Future grants are calculated based on actual costs and are awarded one year at a time, with renewal available annually through to the end of the fellow's degree, contingent on evidence of satisfactory academic progress. PhD fellows may receive up to USD 50,000 per year, while post-doctoral research fellows are eligible for up to USD 40,000 per year, figures that reflect the programme's intent to genuinely cover the real cost of advanced STEM research and study abroad rather than offering only partial or token support. The funding is comprehensive in scope, covering university tuition and bench fees (the latter referring to the equipment and consumables costs common in laboratory-based science and engineering research), accommodation, a living allowance, travel expenses, visa charges, and conference attendance costs, addressing nearly every major expense category a graduate researcher might face. Beyond the core grant, an exceptional childcare grant may be awarded per eligible child where specific conditions are met, acknowledging that many women pursuing advanced STEM research, particularly at the post-doctoral level, are also balancing family responsibilities. Selected fellows also become part of the Faculty for the Future global alumnae network, gaining access to additional grants and opportunities beyond the core fellowship once selected, and benefiting from an established community of women scientists spanning more than two decades of the programme's history.