The International Fellowships Program (IFP) is a programme supported by the Ford Foundation and administered in West Africa by the Association of African Universities (AAU) in collaboration with Pathfinder International, Nigeria, and West African Research Center (WARC) in Senegal. IFP provides fellowships for advanced study to individuals from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, who will use their education to further development in their own countries and greater social and economic justice worldwide. IFP fellowships will be awarded to applicants from diverse backgrounds, including social groups and communities that lack systematic access to higher education.

It is expected that 57 Fellowships will be awarded in West Africa for the 2011/2012 academic year.

To be eligible applicants must:

• Be resident or resident national of Ghana, Nigeria, or Senegal.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree as the case may be.
• Have 3 years work experience.
• Have substantial experience in community service or development-related activities.
• Possess leadership potential evidenced by their employment or at the community level.
• Propose to pursue a post-graduate 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 endeavour.
• Present a plan specifying how they will apply their studies to social problems or issues in their country.
• Commit themselves to working on these issues following the Fellowship.

Communications/Fine Arts must submit writing/work samples.

Note: Females, refugees, and individuals with special needs are encouraged to apply. United States citizens and Green Card holders are not eligible. Applicants should note that background checks will be run on short-listed candidates.

Eligible fields are any academic discipline or field of study related to The Ford Foundation's grantmaking areas:

• Asset Building & Community Development Knowledge
1. Workforce Development
2. Development Finance & Economic Security
3. Environment & Development
4. Community Development
• Knowledge, Creativity, and Freedom Peace & Social Justice
1. Education & Scholarship
2. Sexuality & Reproductive Health
3. Religion, Society & Culture
4. Media
5. Arts & Culture
• Peace & Social Justice
1. Human Rights
2. Governance
3. Civil Society

Click here for more information.

Click here to open the application form in PDF format.


Click here for information on pick-up locations for hard-copies of the application form.

Pathfinder International website on November 24 2009.