Some students, who have career goals and burning ambition to reach the top in their fields, often have their desires die slowly. The reason is not far-fetched. Several factors come to play and, in the end, make them settle for less, drop out or quit pursuing their dreams. Factors including poor educational system, political issues and many more often form a barrier between these students and their career goals. However, scholarship programs and grants are now helping students from developing countries, who are bright and ready to pursue their dreams, make it happen.
If you’re from a developing country, you can opt for scholarships, if eligible. Often, these scholarship opportunities help students cater to their tuition fees, living costs, travel expenditures, research and career goals accomplishment. Many grants and scholarship providers offer funding opportunities at different academic levels. While offers are for undergraduates, others focus on postgraduates, postdoctoral research, PhD or even a combination of these.
Below are some scholarship opportunities for students from developing countries. Take time out and go through it to know which suits you and what to choose.
Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) Scholarships
This scholarship seeks applicants who are young lawyers from developing countries. It is committed to ensuring that IPBA’s mission, law and its practice within the Asia-Pacific region are developed and seen better.
Young lawyers who are 35 or below and are from developing countries get the opportunity to grab cross-border knowledge and adequate tools to build their career. Candidates are expected to be fluent in spoken and written English, maintain and desire to be involved in the cross-border practice, and must have a published journal online. If you’re a young lawyer from Bangladesh, Mongolia, Laos, Myanmar or the Pacific Islands, this might be the opportunity you’ve been craving to meet.
TWAS-ICCBS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
TWAS and S.N Bose National Centre for Basic Science are open to taking qualified students from developing countries to join their fellowship program. Outstanding students who have always wanted to go for postdoctoral research in Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences can tap from this opportunity. This program allows students to develop their skills and prepare for a career.
S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences is a committed research institute, focused on researching the Development of Science and Technology of Government of India. Citizens of developing countries who have what it takes to apply can do so.
OFID Funding for International Students in Austria
This funding program is sponsored by OPEC Fund and is meant to assist young individuals, who have proven to be outstanding in developing countries to go for graduate studies. OPEC Fund for International Development helps students build their career and go for jobs. It’s strictly for students between the ages of 23 and 32. Applicants must be citizens of developing countries and are ready to study eligible courses in economic development or other related technology and science fields.
Duke of Grafton Scholarship
This scholarship program offers its beneficiaries, full tuition fees, living expenses, accommodation, and caters to their flight expenses to and from London. Recipients study at the University of Westminster. International students who are from developing countries and meet the requirements can apply. Applicants must possess an offer for a full-time Masters course at the University.
As a public London university, the University of Westminster offers an international learning environment that breeds and fosters creativity at its peak.
Wells Mountain Education Scholarship Program
Wells Mountain Foundation offers educational empowerment by providing scholarship programs for undergraduates in developing countries. The program ensures these students study in other developing countries or theirs as they believe in community service.
Wells Mountain Education scholarship program only allows applicants to choose a university situated in a developing country. This program has been on since 2005, has always provided tuition fees, rent and meals, materials and books. However, if you don’t plan to live and work in your country after graduation, this might not be for you.
VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships (ICP)
Offered by the Belgium government for the benefit of students from developing countries, this annual scholarship program provides students from developing countries the opportunity to study for a training or master program in Belgium.
VLIR-UOS facilitates cooperation among higher education institutions in Flanders and their counterparts in developing countries. A major part of this scholarship is allocated to women.
University of Leeds Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable
This scholarship offered annually is available to developing countries’ applicants. It’s only available to those who apply for study areas related to social, economic or technological development.
Funded by the University of Leeds and Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust collectively, the program was set up to recognize Ferguson’s two generations with interest in understanding, education and international friendship.
Applicants must be citizens and permanent residents of any developing country in line with the list of Borrowing Countries, according to the International Development Association. They should be people who their families can’t pay for their UK studies, and they must be ready to get back to their home country upon completion of their study. It’s an opportunity for eligible students to undertake a Master’s program in their selected schools.
Global Minds Doctoral Scholarship Program
With this program, outstanding students from developing countries stand a chance to bag their PhD from the reputable University of Belgium. Open to applicants from developing countries, KU Leuven strives to contribute to development cooperation through this scholarship program.
KU Leuven aims at providing students with the opportunity to enjoy a “sandwich” system while studying towards obtaining their PhD. This entails 50% studies at their home institution and another 50% of research works at KU Leuven. However, in the end, the PhD-holders will be meant to practice in their home country.
There should be sufficient support for any applicant from their home university, attesting that the candidate can go far and beyond to conduct doctoral research.
DAAD Scholarships in Germany
Students from developing countries who have proven to be social when it comes to tackling economic issues in transition and developing countries have an opportunity with this program. Each year, DAAD offers young professionals the opportunity to pursue postgraduate degrees in various courses at the universities in Germany.
DAAD offers partial and full scholarships, which last for 1-2 years, depending on each institution of study.
Emile Bountmy Scholarships for Non-EU Students
Sciences Po is seeking international Non-EU students who have been admitted to a Master’s or an undergraduate program, and are first-time applicants. Emile Boutmy Scholarships was created after the initiator of Sciences Po and is committed to assisting its beneficiaries.
For the undergraduate level, the program offers different grants ranging from €3,000 to €12,300. In some cases, up to €19,000 is granted. For Masters level, a grant of €10,000 is offered.
Apparently, students from developing countries have a good number of opportunities to pursue their dreams, build their careers and become professionals. With several scholarships and fellowship opportunities focused on students from developing countries, it’s up to you to be the best in your field. Get ready to apply for some of these before their deadline, if you’re eligible, and stand a chance to be the person you’ve always wanted.
