PhD/Postdoc Opportunities for Women from Schlumberger

Faculty for the Future

Supporting Women in Science

Source:

http://www.slb.com/content/about/foundation/facultyfuture.asp

Application schedule for new and renewal 2010 awards Applications open on October 5, 2009 and close on November 30, 2009. Awards will be announced on February 28, 2010. Sample versions of this year's application forms are now available at the links below so candidates can start preparing their application. New Grant Application Process Renewal Grant Application Process Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) E-mails requesting information already included in the FAQ section will not receive a response.

Role Models for the Next Generation

Faculty for the Future fellowships are awarded to women from developing and emerging economies who are preparing for PhD or post-doctoral study in the physical sciences, engineering, or related disciplines to pursue advanced graduate study at top universities in their disciplines abroad.

Launched by the Schlumberger Foundation in 2004, Faculty for the Future has grown to become a community of 110 women from 35 countries.

The long-term goal of the Faculty for the Future program is to generate conditions that result in more women pursuing scientific disciplines. Grant recipients are therefore selected as much for their leadership capabilities as for their scientific talents, and they are expected to return to their home countries to continue their academic careers and inspire other young women.

Faculty for the Future grants are in the range of USD 25,000 to 50,000 per year, and may be renewed through to completion of studies subject to performance, self-evaluation, and recommendations from supervisors. The amount of the grant depends on the actual costs of studying and living in the chosen location.

Eligibility criteria and application process instructions can be found atNew Grant Application Process or Renewal Grant Application Process

• New Grant Application Process
• Renewal Grant Application Process
• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
• Access the FFTF Web Community
• Related Resources

NEW GRANT APPLICATION PROCESSBack to Top
Applications for a 2010 grant open October 5, 2009 and close November 30, 2009. Applications are only accepted through the online system.

Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• be a citizen of a developing or emerging country
• be preparing for PhD or post-doctoral study in the physical sciences or related disciplines
• have a proven track record of teaching experience
• can demonstrate active participation in faculty life and outreach work to encourage young women into the sciences
• hold an excellent academic record
  
  

Faculty for the Future fellows are expected to return to their home countries to continue their academic careers after their study abroad.

Faculty for the Future grants are based on actual expenses to be incurred and can be up to USD 50,000 per year.

How to apply
Step 1: Please find below the sample forms to download to help prepare your online application. Note that this is for consultation only, therefore DO NOT send in sample forms by e-mail or post as they will not be taken into consideration.

• 2009-2010 New Application Sample (365 KB PDF)
• 2009-2010 New Letter of Reference Sample (94 KB PDF)

Step 2: The online application opens on October 5, 2009 and closes on November 30, 2009.

To apply, please go to www.fftf.slb.com and register for an account. You will then receive your personal login details by e-mail to access the online application.

Please DO NOT register for an account before October 5, 2009.

General tips to help you

• Make sure you meet eligibility guidelines and the application deadline.
• Plan ahead! Producing a strong application takes time and final selection is based in part on the quality of your application and accompanying materials.
• Have a clear strategy. Make sure all parts of your application form an integrated whole. Your application should highlight the aspects about you and your career that will give the reviewer a focused yet well-rounded view of your candidacy.
• Read and follow the instructions carefully. The instructions are your guide to creating a complete and competitive application.

A successful application will have been through five rounds of review, with the reviewers paying particular attention to the following criteria:

• academic performance
• quality of references
• commitment to teaching
• relevance of research to home country
• commitment to inspiring young woman into the sciences
• quality of host-country university

RENEWAL GRANT APPLICATION PROCESSBack to Top
Applications for a 2010 grant open October 5, 2009 and close November 30, 2009. Applications are only accepted through the online system.

Eligibility
Renewal grants are not automatic. It is a competition and renewals are largely subject to performance, self-evaluation, and recommendations from your current supervisor (preferably host and home) as well as availability of funding. We also need to see strong evidence that other sources of funding have been explored, especially if you have already received one renewal grant.

How to apply
Step 1: Please find below the sample forms to download to help prepare your online application. Note that this is for consultation only, therefore DO NOT send in sample forms by e-mail or post as they will not be taken into consideration.

• 2009-2010 Renewal Application Sample (287 KB PDF)
• 2009-2010 Renewal Letter of Reference Sample (94 KB PDF)
• Financial University Report (36 KB PDF)

Step 2: The online application opens on October 5, 2009 and closes on November 30, 2009.

To apply, please go to www.fftf.slb.com and enter your previous year's personal login details. If you have lost your login details, please follow the instructions on the Web page.

Please DO NOT access this Website before October 5, as the 2009-2010 online forms won't be available.

General tips to help you

• Make sure you meet eligibility guidelines and the application deadline.
• Plan ahead! Producing a strong application takes time and final selection is based, in part, on the quality of your application and accompanying material.
• Have a clear strategy. Make sure all parts of your application form an integrated whole. Your application should highlight the aspects about you and your career that will give the reviewer a focused yet well-rounded view of your candidacy.
• Read and follow the instructions carefully. The instructions are your guide to creating a complete and competitive application.
• The personal essay section should focus on PhD milestones, results obtained, papers published, conferences attended, and teaching undertaken. It should focus on your academic progress and not solely on your technical progress.
• If your application is for further post-doctorate studies, explain in your personal essay why you want to pursue an additional post-doctorate year. Insight needs to be provided with regards to the difference the PhD or post-doctorate makes on your career progression and your home-country university department.
• Information regarding available funding from other sources (fellowships, scholarships, sponsorships…).

A successful application will have been through five rounds of review, with the reviewers paying particular attention to the following criteria:

• academic performance
• quality of references
• commitment to teaching
• relevance of research to home country
• commitment to inspiring young woman into the sciences
• quality of host-country university

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)Back to Top

• Am I eligible to apply if I’m preparing for a master’s degree?
  No. Only students who are planning to prepare for, or who are already enrolled on, a PhD or a post-doc course can apply for an FFTF grant.
  
  
• Am I eligible to apply if I have already started my PhD or post-doc?
  Yes, you can apply even if you have already started your PhD or post-doc.
  
  
• Am I eligible to apply if I am already living in a developed country?
  If you are a citizen from a developing or emerging country but resident in a developed country for the purpose of studying, you are eligible to apply.
  
  
• Am I eligible to apply even if I plan to pursue my PhD or post-doc in my home university?
  The FFTF program aims to give the opportunity to scientific women from developing and emerging countries to pursue a PhD or a post-doc in the best universities abroad. However we sometimes accept “sandwich programs” where students spend only a part of the grant year in a university abroad.
  
  
• Am I eligible to apply if I plan to pursue my PhD or post-doc in a university of another developing or emerging country?
  The FFTF program aims to give the opportunity to scientific women from developing and emerging countries to pursue PhD or post-doc in the best universities abroad. If you’ve been accepted in a university of excellence you are eligible, even if it’s not in a developed country.
  
  
• Is there a list of host universities accredited to the FFTF program?
  No. However, we encourage you to apply to the best universities abroad in your discipline. The university you will be accepted in will be taken into account in the decision process.
  
  
• Which disciplines are eligible?
  Eligible applicants are those preparing for PhD or post-doc study in the physical sciences or related technologies. Please see Examples of Typical Disciplines Awarded (36 KB PDF)
  
  
• I plan to apply for a PhD or post-doc next year; should I apply for the FFTF grant now or next year?
  You are eligible to apply now. If you apply before the first year of study, you are allowed to begin your course and consequently to receive your grant funding until the spring of the following year. For example, if you apply in 2009, you will know the award results in spring 2010. If grant recipients have not commenced study by spring semester 2011, the grant award expires.
  
  
• Is it a mandatory requirement of the grant to return home and to pursue an academic career? Am I eligible to apply if I don’t have any faculty position yet in my home country?
  We do not require any document certifying that you will have a faculty position when you return to your home country after completing your studies. However, during the application process—new or renewal—we look closely at evidence of your commitment to return home and the level of your relationship with your home-country university[ies]. The quality of this evidence has a significant impact on the likelihood of winning or renewing an award.
  
  
• How many years is the grant typically renewable for?
  Grants may be renewed through to completion of your PhD or post-doc—subject to performance, self-evaluation, and recommendations from supervisors (preferably host and home).
  
  
• Is it necessary to provide the diploma and letter of admittance from my university in English? Is it necessary to make notarial attestations?
  No, it’s not mandatory.
  
  
• Is there an age limit?
  No. Women of any age are eligible to apply. However, in our selection process we do consider the number of active teaching years remaining after the PhD or post-doc has been acquired.
  
  
• If I bring my family with me to the host country, will the Schlumberger foundation financially support them?
  FFTF grants are based on actual expenses to be incurred by the student only. Expenses typically include tuition and required university fees, an estimation of accommodation costs, a living allowance (for food, books, and supplies, medical/insurance cover, childcare, transport costs), and a budget for travel, visa, and conference expenses. This can be up to USD 50,000 per year.
  
  
• After submitting my application online, can I access and modify it before the closing date?
  You can update your application and save it as often as you like before submitting it. Once you’ve submitted it you cannot change it anymore. Your referees will then receive a notification e-mail.
  
  
• I've just submitted my application, what else am I expected to do?
  When will I be informed of the selection results?
  You should wait for results to be delivered. The results are usually available on the application Web site by the end of March every year. Awarded applicants will then receive a personal e-mail. Unsuccessful applicants will usually receive a formal letter by end of April.
  
  
• How are grant recipients selected?
  The selection process includes five rounds:
  • First round: Is based on compliance with eligibility criteria such as country of origin, discipline and overall quality of application. Noncompliant applications are eliminated.
    
    
  • Second round: The first shortlist is reviewed based on scoring of the following criteria:
    - academic performance
    - quality of references
    - scientific interest of research proposal
    - commitment to teaching
    - relevance of research to home country
    - commitment to inspiring young woman into the sciences
    - quality of host-country university
    
    
  • Third round: The second shortlist is reviewed by the Schlumberger Foundation scientific committee with a focus on quality of research proposal, scientific interest and relevance to home country.
    
    
  • Fourth round: The final shortlist of candidates is interviewed by telephone by members of the Schlumberger Foundation Board of Trustees.
    
    
  • Final round: Selection of grant recipients by foundation board and executive director.
    
    
• Why is a particular candidate not selected?
  The competition is intense for a limited number of awards. We cannot engage in individual correspondence nor give individual reasons for not receiving a grant.
  
  In addition to completion, applications are typically unsuccessful due to the following reasons:
  • Poor quality, incomplete application (especially in the personal essay and project statement sections).
  • Unmet eligibility criteria.
  • Insufficient evidence of commitment to return to home country or to teach.
  • Level of qualification (the Schlumberger Foundation only funds PhD and post-doctorate programs).
    
    
  Faculty for the Future seeks to have an impact on gender balance in science disciplines by reinforcing the presence and qualifications of women university teachers in developing and emerging economies. We firmly believe that a better gender balance at faculty level will encourage more women to study the sciences and engineering disciplines.
  
  If you are well prepared to meet the core criteria and decide to embark on a doctoral program next year, you are most welcome to reapply online.

Access the FFTF Web CommunityBack to Top
In 2007 a Web forum was launched to support the building of the Faculty for the Future community. It provides a place for members to get to know each other, share their research and experiences, become friends, maintain relationships when they return to their home countries, and develop ideas and means to influence issues relating to women in science at home and abroad. Access the web forum athttp://facultyforthefuture.net

If you have any problems with the application website—www.fftf.slb.com—please contact the Faculty for the Future Coordination Team

Related resources

Examples of Typical Disciplines Awarded (36 KB PDF) Faculty for the Future Participant Facts and Figures (192 KB PDF) Faculty for the Future booklet (1.8 MB PDF) Faculty for the Future poster (1.4 MB PDF) New Faculty for the Future fellows, 2009

All information about the Faculty for the Future program is provided on this page. If you have a specific query we didn’t answer above, please contact the Faculty for the Future Coordination Team. To Apply: http://www.slb.com/content/about/foundation/facultyfuture.asp