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The International Fellowships Program (IFP) is a Ford Foundation-supported program of the New York Citybased
International Fellowships Fund. IFP provides fellowships for postgraduate study to individuals from groups
or communities that have little access to higher education. Through IFP, the Ford Foundation supports Fellows
from twenty-two countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, as well as in Russia. |
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The program’s goal is to enable a diverse group of exceptional men and women from many parts of the world, who
would otherwise lack opportunities for advanced study, to pursue post-graduate degrees. This education will help
prepare the Fellows to become leaders in fields that further the Ford Foundation’s goals of strengthening
democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice, promoting international cooperation, and advancing human
achievement. IFP aims to build an enduring cohort of IFP Fellows who can gain from each other’s learning and
experience. |
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The Ford Foundation has long believed that providing educational opportunities to talented people who use their
knowledge to improve their societies is one of the best possible philanthropic investments. Since the 1950s, the
Foundation has granted an estimated $365 million to enable some 30,000 individuals from more than 70
countries to pursue graduate education. Over the years, Ford fellowship recipients have helped advance knowledge
in the natural and social sciences, the humanities, and the arts. Many former Ford fellows have advanced to
leadership roles in institutions around the world. Now it is important to help prepare a more diverse generation of
future leaders to meet the global challenges of the 21st century. IFP aims to broaden the talent pool of future
leaders in selected developing countries by making a special effort to recruit men and women from social groups
and communities that have been historically underrepresented in higher education.
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Although both governmental and private sources support different types of fellowship programs, the rapidly
increasing need for higher education far exceeds available funding. Opportunities are especially limited for
individuals who come from groups or communities that historically have had little access to advanced education.
In the India context, these include scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, religious minorities,
women, physically challenged and those with other forms of socio-economic deprivation. It also includes those
who live outside major cities or in areas of conflict or post-conflict situations.
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The India IFP program began in 2001. To date there have been 8 selections and 283 fellows have been selected and
placed in universities around the world. Several alumni have returned to India and are doing committed work in
their respective fields. They have also established the IFP India Alumni Network (IFPIAN).
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Pre-Applications and Final Applications are submitted to IFP New Delhi. IFP New Delhi convenes regional and
national selection panels to ensure that selected candidates meet the highest academic and professional
standards, and that IFP selection criteria are applied in a consistent manner. These panels of scholars,
practitioners and other experts assess written applications, interview candidates and make the final selections.
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Fellows are chosen on the basis of their leadership potential and commitment to community or national
development, as well as for their academic promise and achievement. Successful candidates must hold a BA or an
MA degree and have demonstrated excellence in their undergraduate studies; have experience in community
service or development-related activities; intend to pursue formal training that will enhance their leadership
skills in fields related to the Foundation’s program interests; present a plan specifying how they will apply their
studies to social problems in their own countries; and commit themselves to working on these issues following the
fellowship period.
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Many of the most promising applicants identified by IFP selection panels are individuals who have demonstrated
a high level of civic engagement in their communities or countries, founded civil society organizations dedicated
to social action; and have become positive role models in their societies. |
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Fellows may choose to study in a relevant high-quality graduate degree program at an international university or
in India. IFP will offer university placement assistance to Fellows.
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In addition to financial assistance for travel, living expenses, tuition and related costs for the actual degree
program, IFP will offer Fellows short-term pre-fellowship training, including language study and courses in
research and computer skills. This is offered over a period of 6 to 9 months, after selection and prior to joining the
academic program. The program will also facilitate informal networks through which Fellows may share
information and experiences.
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IFP selects Fellows on the strength of their commitment to serve their communities and countries of origin,
among other key selection criteria, and expects that they will honor this obligation. In addition, IFP support allows
Fellows to pursue professional activities in their home countries during the fellowship period. IFP assists Fellows
after they have returned home to stay connected to various IFP networks and to remain current in their respective
fields. A robust IFP India Alumni Network (IFPIAN) has been established.
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