Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future 2027: Women in STEM PhD and Postdoc Funding
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future 2027 |
| Funded by | Schlumberger Foundation |
| Coverage | PhD and postdoctoral funding; exact award amount depends on approved funding package |
| Deadline | November 6, 2026 |
| Opens | September 1, 2026 |
| Eligible applicants | Women from eligible low- or middle-income countries |
| Study level | PhD or postdoctoral research |
| Fields | STEM, especially Physical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics |
| Official URL | https://www.schlumbergerfoundation.com/applications-for-2026/ |
The Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future 2027 call is one of the strongest global options for women engineers and scientists from developing and emerging economies who are preparing for PhD or postdoctoral research abroad. The official 2027 application page confirms that applications open on September 1, 2026 and close on November 6, 2026.
This guide is especially useful if you are comparing women-focused STEM opportunities such as the AAUW International Fellowships, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science guide, or broader fully funded PhD scholarships.
What Does It Cover?
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Research funding | Funding support for PhD or postdoctoral research abroad |
| International study support | Designed for candidates enrolled, admitted, or applying to a university or research institute abroad |
| Global STEM network | Successful applicants join the Faculty for the Future academic and professional cohort |
| Field focus | 2027 call particularly encourages Physical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics |
| Career impact | Programme expects scholars to return home and contribute to socio-economic development |
The official page does not publish one fixed award amount for every applicant. Treat the funding level as programme-specific and verify the final grant terms in the application portal before submitting.
Eligibility
✅ You Must:
- Be a woman from an eligible low- or middle-income country.
- Be pursuing PhD or postdoctoral research in a STEM field.
- Be enrolled, admitted, or have applied to a university or research institute abroad.
- Have an excellent academic record.
- Show commitment to returning to your home country and contributing to socio-economic development.
- Demonstrate leadership, community engagement, and a record of encouraging women and girls in STEM.
❌ Not Eligible If:
- You are not pursuing PhD or postdoctoral research.
- Your field is outside STEM.
- You are not from an eligible low- or middle-income country.
- You cannot show a realistic link between your research and development impact in your home country.
- You are unable to document admission, enrolment, or active application to a host institution abroad.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Confirm your country and field eligibility
Start by checking whether your nationality falls within the eligible low- or middle-income country list in the official portal. Then confirm your research field. The 2027 call specifically highlights Physical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics.
Step 2: Secure or document host institution status
The programme is for women who are enrolled, admitted, or have applied to a university or research institute abroad. Keep proof of admission, application submission, supervisor communication, or institutional support ready.
Step 3: Build a research-impact narrative
Your application should connect three things clearly: your technical research, the development problem it addresses, and how you will contribute after returning home.
Step 4: Prepare leadership evidence
The Foundation asks for leadership, community engagement, and evidence of encouraging women and girls in STEM. Collect proof of mentoring, teaching, outreach, society leadership, volunteer projects, or STEM advocacy.
Step 5: Submit before November 6, 2026
The official timeline states: applications open September 1, 2026, close November 6, 2026, and results are expected in early April 2027.
Comparison With Related Scholarships
| Scholarship | Best for | Deadline | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty for the Future | Women from developing countries pursuing PhD/postdoc STEM abroad | Nov 6, 2026 | Strong return-home and STEM leadership focus |
| AAUW International Fellowships | Non-U.S. women pursuing graduate study, mainly in the U.S. | Sep 17, 2026 | U.S.-based graduate funding, fixed award ranges |
| L’Oréal-UNESCO FWIS | Women scientists at different career stages | Varies by region | Prize/fellowship model varies by country and region |
| HKPFS | International PhD applicants to Hong Kong | Dec 1, 2026 | Open to all genders; fixed annual stipend |
Insider Tips
1. Do not treat this as only a funding application
The Foundation is looking for future faculty, researchers, and STEM leaders. Your application should show academic excellence plus long-term impact.
2. Make the return-home commitment concrete
Avoid vague statements such as “I will help my country.” Mention institutions, research gaps, industries, universities, public health systems, education needs, or technology challenges you plan to address.
3. Highlight STEM mentorship clearly
If you have mentored younger women, led coding clubs, supervised lab students, organised science outreach, or supported girls in STEM, make that evidence visible.
4. Start before September if possible
The portal opens September 1, but your supervisor letters, admission proof, research proposal, and budget can take weeks to assemble.
5. Use a technical but readable proposal
Reviewers need to understand your science and its development relevance. Define specialised terms and connect your methods to outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Faculty for the Future call open for 2027?
The official 2027 page states that applications open on September 1, 2026.
What is the deadline?
The application deadline is November 6, 2026.
Who should apply?
Women from eligible low- or middle-income countries who are pursuing PhD or postdoctoral STEM research abroad.
Which fields are encouraged in 2027?
The official call says the Foundation is particularly keen to see applications in Physical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics.
When are results announced?
The official timeline lists notification of results in early April 2027.
Timeline Table
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Before Sep 1, 2026 | Prepare research proposal, host proof, CV, and references |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Applications open |
| Sep-Oct 2026 | Complete portal forms and upload documents |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Final application deadline |
| Early Apr 2027 | Results expected |
Your Action Plan
1. Confirm your country eligibility in the official portal.
2. Finalise your PhD or postdoctoral host institution evidence.
3. Prepare a research proposal with clear development impact.
4. Collect evidence of academic excellence and STEM leadership.
5. Draft a return-home plan with specific institutions or sectors.
6. Submit well before November 6, 2026.
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Share this with a woman engineer, computer scientist, mathematician, or physical scientist preparing for PhD or postdoctoral research abroad.