The Program was launched in 1413H (1992), named ‘The IDB Merit Scholarship Program for High Technology’ (MSP). The objective of the program is to develop technically qualified human resources in the IDB member countries by providing scholarships to promising and outstanding scholars and researchers to undertake advanced studies and research in the fields of applied science and technology needed for the development of the member countries.
The Program offers scholarships for study and research at two levels: (i) 3-year PhD study/ research, and (ii) 6-12 months of Post-Doctoral research. Scholarships are open to study/research at the world’s top most universities ranked by Times Higher Education Supplement (THES). However, priority is given to study/research at IDB partners universities.
Scholarships are provided in fields of studies under the program are determined by the priority needs of the country’s development in science and technology sectors and to supplement the IDB vision 1440H. Current focus is thus on the following fields of studies: Health/medicine, Agriculture/Food production, Water Resources/ Desertification, Energy/Infrastructure Development, Nanotechnology, Development-focused ICT, and pure Science subjects.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicant must meet the following basic criteria:
- Age not over (a) 35 years for PhD study, and (b) 40 years for Post-Doctoral research;
- Attached to a research/academic/development institution in science and technology in their respective country;
- Must possess the required academic background in the related field of their proposed study/research and have some professional/research experience in the respective field;
- Demonstrate that the research proposal has scientific and technological relevance with the objective of meeting the priority development needs of the country;
- Have good command of the language of the institution of study and the ability to conduct scientific work in it.
Scholarship for:
Students from Comoros, Syria, Albania, Bangladesh, Somalia, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Yemen, Tajikistan, Djibouti, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Gabon, Indonesia,Gambia, Jordan, Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyz, Lebanon, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Mozambique, Niger, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Cote dIvoire, Brunei, Guinea Bissau, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Bahrain, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Benin, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Suriname and Senegal can apply for these scholarships.
Scholarship Duration:
Scholarships will be awarded up to 3 years for PhD study/ research and up to 6-12 months for postdoctoral research.
Scholarship Value:
The scholarship covers the following benefits and entitlements:
- All academic expenses
- Living allowances
- Health Insurance
- Round trip air-tickets to and from place of study
- Conference Participation allowance
- Scientific Paper preparation allowance
- Computer allowance (for PhD only)
- Family allowance (for PhD only)
Selection Criteria:
Priority shall be given to those PhD applicants who have secured admission at universities that have concluded a cooperation agreement with the IDB such as Cambridge University, Oxford University, Nottingham University and Birmingham University, UCL in the UK, Princeton University in USA, Paris-Tech in France and KAUST in Saudi Arabia or from the top 50 universities on the THES list.
How to Apply?
Download the application form for 3 Years PhD Study or application form for Post-Doctoral Research. The applications must be submitted through the nominating institutions to the Office of the IDB Governor for the country. It is the Office of the IDB Governor that will forward the applications to the IDB and not the individual applicants or the nominating institutions. As for Egypt, applications should be forwarded through the Ministry of Higher Education, Egypt instead of Office of the IDB Governor. Applications sent directly to the IDB will not be considered.
Application Deadline: December 31.
For further information: Merit Scholarship Program for High Technology
