Faculty For The Future Program Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
Faculty For The Future Program Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
Faculty For The Future Program Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
Why is my country not on the list when the IMF (or other sources) lists it as a developing country?
The Faculty for the Future program focuses on developing and emerging economies. The determination or
classification of a country as advanced, developing or emerging is a complex process, requiring the
analysis of numerous, often-changing, criteria. Faculty for the Future derives its eligible country list from a
number of objective sources, including criteria seeking to identify developmental opportunities relating to
science, gender and education. Among the most significant sources relied upon by the Schlumberger
Foundation is the multi-variable United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) including the Gender
Development and Gender Empowerment Indexes, as well as indicators of adult educational levels. The list
1
is reviewed every year and levels of development fluctuate, so a country may be on the list this year and
not on it the next, or vice versa.
Note: The Schlumberger Foundation reserves the right not to consider or further process applications from
applicants whose country of citizenship and/or residence is a country under certain sanctions or subject to
embargo by relevant government authorities.
2
faculty or other positions, or to engage in various collaborative or significant outreach projects with home
country institutions, has a significant impact on the likelihood of receiving and renewing an award.
Is it necessary to provide the diploma and letter of admittance from my university in English? Is it
necessary to make notarial attestations?
No, neither are mandatory.
In addition, and at the discretion of the Schlumberger Foundation, an exceptional child care grant may be
awarded (per eligible child) to a grantee when certain conditions are met. These conditions are provided in
the financial section of the application form.
3
After submission, can I still modify my application?
You may update your application form and save it as often as you need to before submitting it. However,
once it has been submitted it can no longer be modified. When you have submitted your application, your
references will receive a notification email requesting them to fill out a reference letter for you.
- First Round: Is based on compliance with eligibility criteria, including the consideration of the applicant’s
country, discipline of study, educational plans, and overall quality of application. Non-compliant applications
are eliminated.
- Second Round: The first shortlist is reviewed based on scoring of the following criteria:
academic performance; quality of host university as well as knowledge of (future) research department in
host university and evidence of interaction with host university supervisor; quality of references; scientific
interest of research proposal; commitment to teaching; relevance of research to home country; commitment
to inspiring or mentorship to young women and others to pursue studies in the sciences; outreach to
communities in any areas demonstrating leadership and an willingness to be a change agent.
- Third Round: The second shortlist is reviewed by the Schlumberger Foundation’s scientific committee
with a focus on quality of research proposal, scientific interest and relevance to home country.
- Fourth Round: The final shortlisted candidates are interviewed by telephone by members of the
Schlumberger Foundation Board of Directors.
- Final Round: Selection of grant recipients by the Schlumberger Foundation Board of Directors.
The final selection of candidates for an award remains at all times at the discretion of the Schlumberger
Foundation. The award process is competitive and as in any selection process, it is not possible to fund all
the qualified applicants that are interviewed.
4
The Schlumberger Foundation receives an abundance of applications from highly qualified candidates for a
limited number of awards. No individual correspondence will be engaged to provide reasons for not
receiving a grant. In addition to tough competition, applications are typically unsuccessful due to the
following reasons:
- Poor overall quality of the application (especially the personal essay and the research and teaching
essay);
- Failure to meet eligibility criteria;
- Level of qualification (the Schlumberger Foundation only funds PhD and post-doctorate research
programs);
- Average academic performance;
- Lack of evidence of commitment to home country return and/or to teaching/research or role
modeling/mentorship /outreach activities;
- Lack of outreach activities.
The Faculty for the Future program seeks to have an impact on gender balance in science disciplines by
reinforcing the presence and qualifications of female university teachers in developing and emerging
economies. The Schlumberger Foundation firmly believes that better gender balance at the 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 apply on-line next fall.
Can my spouse and family come with me if I get an award? What about visas?
Your spouse and children may, of course, accompany you to your host country. However, the
Schlumberger Foundation does not handle, or assume responsibility for the visa process.