OFID SCHOLARSHIP AWARD 2011/12

OFID (The OPEC Fund for International Development) is pleased to announce that qualified applicants who have obtained or are on the verge of completing their undergraduate degree and who wish to study for a Master's degree are welcome to apply for the OFID Scholarship 2012. The OFID Scholarship will be awarded to support two students or candidates for Master’s degree studies. The applicant may be from any developing country, and he/she must first obtain admission to pursue a Master's (graduate) degree in any recognized university/college in the world. The Scholarship is open to those students who wish to pursue studies in a relevant field of Development or Energy Studies.

Through its scholarship scheme, OFID aims to help highly motivated, highly-driven individuals overcome one of the biggest challenges to their careers – the cost of graduate studies. The winner of the OFID Scholarship Award will receive a full tuition scholarship of up to US$50,000. The funds will be spread over a maximum of one year, toward the completion of a Master’s degree, or its equivalent, at an accredited educational institution, starting in the autumn of the academic year 2012.

Eligibility

• Must be between the ages of 23-32 at the time of submitting his/her application.
• Must have obtained or be on the verge of completing their undergraduate degree with a Baccalaureate from an accredited college/university, or its equivalent.
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 rating system, or its equivalent.
• Must be matriculated at an accredited university for the upcoming academic year starting August/September 2012, and must maintain full-time status for the duration of the Master's Degree.
• Must be a national of a developing country (please see list of eligible countries below)
• Must select a subject of study that pertains to OFID’s core mission, such as: economics of development (poverty reduction, energy and sustainable development), environment (desertification), or other related science and technology fields.

PLEASE NOTE: Kindly read ALL of the directions below before proceeding with the application process:

• Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all necessary information. Applications will be evaluated based on the information provided. Therefore, all questions should be answered as thoroughly as possible. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Once an application has been submitted, no changes will be allowed on it.
• OFID will not consider applications received through a third party.
• Please do not call or email OFID to ask if your application has been received, or to inquire about your status.
• Please note that only the winner will be notified.
• All materials submitted become the property of OFID and will not be returned to the applicant.

Applicants must complete the on-line application.

Within the on-line application, applicants must upload the required documents as listed below in Section III. 

Required Documents

• A completed on-line application form. 
• A scanned copy of the applicants passport.
• A scanned copy of the last university degree or certificate. 
• A scanned letter of acceptance from chosen educational institution, confirming your admission, subject of study and duration of the Master’s degree program (must not exceed one year). 
• A proof of meeting any prerequisites, including language proficiency. 
• A short essay – of about 500 words in English – giving reasons for applying for the OFID scholarship, explaining your educational goals, and clearly describing how you will use the experience gained from your Master's degree studies to help in the development of your home country. 
• Two letters of recommendation from professors and/or lecturers at applicant's present university.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A completed on-line application form. 
• A scanned copy of the applicant’s passport.
• A scanned copy of the last university degree or certificate. 
• A scanned letter of acceptance from chosen educational institution, confirming your admission, subject of study and duration of the Master’s degree program (must not exceed one year). 
• A proof of meeting any prerequisites, including language proficiency. 
• A short essay – of about 500 words in English – giving reasons for applying for the OFID scholarship, explaining your educational goals, and clearly describing how you will use the experience gained from your Master's degree studies to help in the development of your home country. 
• Two letters of recommendation from professors and/or lecturers at applicant's present university.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Application Deadline
All materials including the on-line application, recommendations, and other required information must be received no later than May 28, 2012.

For further information, please visit the official website : www.scholarship.ofid.info