International Scholarship Fund Launched

In June, Development Policy and Practice marked its 30th anniversary with the launch of a new International Scholarship fund.

DPP's PhD programme already challenges traditional thinking about international development - what it is, who drives it, and where and how it happens - to help create more effective development interventions. However, too many international development professionals still come from outside the regions they work with, and the lack of personal experience concerning a particular region's strengths and weaknesses is something that needs to be addressed.

The new scholarships aim to do just that. While the majority of DPP's PhD students have always come from the developing world, finding the funds to support their studies is often highly problematic.

It is to remedy this that the International Scholarship fund - which will support successful applicants from the developing world to study for a PhD - has been set up. However, the cost for a three-year full-time studentship is £60,000 and, although DPP has received an extremely generous donation of £10,000 from David Wield, Professor of Innovation and Development to kick-start the fund, they are now urgently seeking to raise the outstanding amount for the first scholarship.

At the launch, Professor Giles Mohan commented, 'By joining our vibrant research community, each student will gain the skills required for a PhD and at the same time build up a network of peers with whom they can share ideas and develop new initiatives. The scholarships offer a fantastic opportunity for students, while also contributing to the rich fabric of the OU itself, and of the international development community at large.'

If you would like to contribute to this important work, then please consider making a donation to the International Scholarship fund by following the link and choosing DPP International Studentship Fund in the drop-down box.

Or, to find out more, download the International Scholarship fund information sheet.