The International Fellowships Programme (IFP) provides opportunities for advanced study to individuals who will use this education to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering development in their own countries and greater economic and social justice worldwide. The fellowship provides support for up to three years of formal graduate-level study leading to a masters or doctoral degree. To ensure that fellows are drawn from more diverse backgrounds than ever before, IFP will actively recruit candidates from social groups and communities that lack systematic access to higher education. Opportunities for advanced study are offered for residents from selected countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Russia. U.S. nationals are not eligible, although fellows may study in the United States.

Fellows may choose to study in a discipline related to one of the Ford Foundation's grant-making areas:

1. Asset building and community development
   
   • Children, Youth and Families
   • Sexuality and Reproductive Health
   • Work-Force Development
   • Development Finance and Economic Security
   • Environment and Development
   • Community Development
2. Education, media, arts and culture
   
   • Education Reform
   • Higher Education and Scholarship
   • Religion, Society and Culture
   • Media
   • Arts and Culture
3. Peace and social justice
   
   • Human Rights
   • International Cooperation
   • Governance
   • Civil Society

IFP support also supports short-term language study and training in research and computer skills prior to graduate school enrollment. In addition, fellows attend orientation sessions and then participate in information exchange networks among IFP fellows worldwide.

Applicants must:

• Demonstrate superior achievement in their undergraduate studies and hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent.
• Have substantial experience in community service or development-related activities.
• Possess leadership potential evidenced by their employment and academic experience.
• Propose to pursue a post-baccalaureate 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 grant-making areas as listed above.
• Present a plan specifying how they will apply their studies to social problems or issues in their own countries. Commit themselves to working on these issues following the fellowship period. IFP selects fellows on the strength of their clearly-stated intention to serve their communities and countries of origin, and expects that they will honour this obligation.