The Schlumberger Foundation’s Faculty for the Future programme funds women from eligible low and middle income countries to do a PhD or postdoctoral research in STEM abroad. New applications for the 2027 fellowships close on 7 November 2026 at 12:00 noon Central Standard Time (UTC-6). Researchers in listed Arab countries such as Morocco, Iraq or Palestine should check the country list first.
At a glance
| Deadline | 7 November 2026, 12:00 noon CST (UTC-6), which is 18:00 UTC |
| Who can apply | Women who are citizens of an eligible low or middle income country, preparing for a PhD or postdoctoral research in a STEM discipline |
| What it funds | PhD or postdoctoral research at a well-ranked host university or institute abroad (Master’s studies are not funded) |
| Amount | Not stated on the pages reviewed |
| Cost to apply | No fee is mentioned on the official pages |
| Official link | fftf.slb.com |
Who can apply?
The official eligibility summary (programme year 2026 to 2027) sets these criteria:
- You are female and a citizen of a low or middle income country where women are underrepresented in STEM. Dual citizenship with a developed country is not permitted.
- You are preparing for a PhD or postdoctoral research in a STEM discipline.
- You are enrolled, admitted or have applied to a well-ranked host university or research institute abroad.
- You have an excellent academic record and proven teaching experience in your home country.
- You are willing to return to your home country or region after your studies, to work in an academic or research STEM position, in entrepreneurship that addresses regional challenges, or in policy making.
- You show leadership, active community outreach and a track record of encouraging young people, particularly girls and women, into STEM.
The same document lists the eligible countries. Those in the Arab world include Comoros, Djibouti, Iraq, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Check the full list yourself before you invest time in an application.
What does the fellowship offer?
The programme supports equality between women and men in STEM by funding talented women from low and middle income countries to pursue PhD or postdoctoral research at leading universities abroad. The official pages we reviewed do not state benefit amounts, so none are given here. Master’s level studies are not funded. For what a fellowship covers, use the programme’s FAQ or write to the programme team at facultyforthefuture@slb.com.
How to apply
- Read the eligibility summary and confirm your citizenship is on the country list.
- Make sure you are enrolled, admitted or have applied to a host university or institute abroad.
- Register an account as a new applicant on the official application site. The site asks you to use Firefox or Chrome.
- Complete and submit your application by 7 November 2026 at 12:00 noon CST (UTC-6).
- Make sure your referees submit their letters online by 14 November 2026. They receive their login details by automatic email.
Key dates: new applications open on 1 September 2026, applications close on 7 November 2026, and reference letters are due on 14 November 2026.
Advice from the Bahiyat team
- Start with your passport. Citizenship decides everything here, and a second nationality from a developed country rules you out.
- Sort out the university side early. The criteria ask for a host institution abroad where you are enrolled, admitted or have applied.
- Gather proof of teaching and outreach. Proven teaching experience and a record of encouraging girls and women into STEM are named criteria, so collect concrete examples, not general statements.
- Be clear about your return. Say which academic, entrepreneurial or policy role you plan to take up at home or in your region.
- Brief your referees now. Their letters are due a week after the application closes, so ask them well before 7 November.
FAQ
Is there an application fee? The official pages we reviewed do not mention one.
Can I apply for a Master’s degree? No. The programme does not fund Master’s level studies.
I hold a second nationality. Can I still apply? Not if it is the citizenship of a developed country. The eligibility summary says dual citizenship with a developed country is not permitted.
Do I need to be admitted to a university first? You need to be enrolled, admitted or to have applied to a well-ranked host university or research institute abroad.
