The scholarships aim to provide opportunities for independent postgraduate study in the United Kingdom for female Afghan students who have demonstrated both academic excellence and the potential to become leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers in their own country. Upon completion of their studies in the UK, scholars are expected to return to their home country to pursue academic career at Kabul University. Subject to satisfactory progress, the scholarships lead to the award of a PhD degree.
Applications are welcome in the field of law and related social sciences subjects (including but not limited to human rights, international relations, conflict resolution, human geography), political sciences, and psychology.
Each scholarship provides three years of tuition fees at Durham University and a stipend to cover living costs (for one person only) for four years (the fourth year being a write-up period subject to satisfactory progress), as well as return air travel from the scholar’s home country.
The scholarships are open to female applicants from Afghanistan.
Applicants must:
- be female nationals of and normally reside in Afghanistan. Applicants who are in the process of completing their MA studies in 2012–13 at Durham University are eligible to apply;
- be a graduate of or working at Kabul University and intend to pursue academic work at Kabul University on completing their studies;
- be graduates who have satisfied the entry requirements for Durham University, including English language and academic requirements (to Masters level);
- demonstrate exceptional academic potential, language competency, familiarity with the chosen field of study, and clear commitment to open society goals as evidenced by previous work or academic experience;
- gain admission into one of the eligible PhD courses at Durham University; and
- be selected jointly by the representatives of the Open Society Scholarship Programs and Durham University for this scholarship.
Successful applicants are expected to return to their home countries at the end of their course of study.
Please note that if you have applied or are applying for other grants, fellowships, or scholarships with the Open Society Foundations you should inform your local representative of the Open Society Scholarship Programs in your application. While you may apply for different forms of the Foundations’ support simultaneously, you can be awarded only one Open Society Foundations scholarship or grant for a given period.
Employees, employees’ relatives (or former employees who have left employment less than two years before) of the local representatives of the Open Society Scholarship Programs directly involved in the Open Society Scholarship Programs and the participating universities will not be eligible to apply for these awards.
For further details, please download and review the complete Guidance Notes and application form on the left.
Completed applications can be submitted electronically or in hard copy to:
Kate Sharples
Durham University
International Office
Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
Email: osf.scholarships@durham.ac.uk