Early-career female researchers from 21 least developed member countries of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) (see below) are eligible for an ambitious new postdoctoral programme offered by IsDB and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). The fellowships will support research related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, providing recipients with high-level training in areas relevant to sustainability science.

IsDB-TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Skills Building in Sustainability Science - Women only - are tenable at centres of excellence in developing countries from this list: https://twas.org/developing-countries-south, i.e. research institutions with a well-established track record in research and a demonstrated competency in a field relevant to sustainability science.

A host centre should be identified by the candidate based on her particular area of research. In the latter case, TWAS and the scientific reviewers associated with the evaluation process for selecting the awards will make a decision on the suitability of the host institute proposed by the candidate. In all cases, the host centre must be located in a developing country. An example of a valid host centre is provided by the TWAS-CAS Centres of Excellence.

IsDB -TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable for a minimum period of three months to a maximum period of six months. They are awarded to young scientists from 21 IsDB Least Developed Member Countries (LDMCs) to enable them to undertake postdoctoral research in areas of science relevant to sustainability science (see list in guidelines below).

Through the Fellowships, the selected scientist will be provided with a monthly allowance on the basis of the cost of living in the host country to cover expenses such as accommodation, food and health insurance.

The fellowship award will offer an allowance for bench fee costs up to USD 2,565 as a contribution towards laboratory expenses necessary for the awardee’s research.

The fellowship award will also cover the cost of a round-trip air ticket up to USD1,000. Any other travel needed, including airport transfers and local transportation, will be the awardee’s responsibility.

Information about living conditions, such as possibilities of accommodation, transportation, and any other issues related to the candidate's stay in the host country must be obtained directly from the host institution. Neither TWAS nor IsDB can provide this information.

Research Areas

The Postdoctoral Fellowship programme provides support for research projects in the following fields (please refer to the guidelines for details):

• Sustainable Agriculture
• Education
• Education for Sustainable Development
• Climate Change
• Energy
• Sustainable cities
• Responsible growth
• Waste management
• Population growth
• Green chemistry
• Biodiversity
• Plastic pollution and Micro-plastics
• Water and hygiene

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible nationalities

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Chad
• Comoros
• Djibouti
• Gambia
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mozambique
• Niger
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Togo
• Uganda
• Yemen

Applicants for IsDB-TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowships must be women only and meet the following criteria:

• Hold a PhD degree in an area of science relevant to the research area of the Fellowship programme
• Up to 45 years of age at the time of the application
• Has preferably 5 years of experience in the field of research after the PhD
• Host Institute must be in a developing country from the list
• Provide an official acceptance letter from the Host Institute
• Must be a national of and resident in an IsDB LDMC from the list provided
• Must be employed at an institution in her home country

Awarded female scholars must:

• Not take up other assignments during the period of her fellowship
• Present a research plan agreed by her host supervisor
• Be financially responsible for any accompanying family members
• Be autonomous in regard to visa application, health insurance and housing in the host country

How to apply:

To apply, check the TWAS website: https://twas.org/opportunity/isdb-twas-postdoctoral-fellowship-programme-women. For any queries please write to isdb@twas.org