Robert S. McNamara Fellowship Program

For applicants to be considered for this fellowship award, they must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of submission of application:

• Citizen of a World Bank member developing countries like India, Bangladesh, China, etc.
  • NOT hold dual citizenship in a developing country.
• Within the 35 year age bracket on the application deadline date.
• Enrolled in a Ph.D. program is a member of the World Bank.
  • Residing in a member developing country.
• Completed all prerequisite coursework and exam requirements for attaining a Ph.D. program.
• PhD. thesis should be centered on development.
• NOT a member of staff or related to any member of staff working at the World Bank group.

Applicants who meet the above eligibility criteria are required to access the online application form on the official fellowship webpage when the fellowship body opens the call for application. Applicants are advised to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria before submitting the application.

How To Apply

1. Secure the support of a Host Institution Research Advisor and the Ph.D. Thesis Supervisor
2. Gather required documentation
3. Draft Research proposal for the Fellowship period following the format of the Application Form’s section on “Proposed Research for RSMFP Funding
4. Prepare a research budget of not more than 25,000 USD for this fellowship period using the budget template posted on the RSMFP website.
5. Share and discuss the research proposal and budget for RSMFP financing with the proposed host institution Research Advisor and Ph.D. Thesis Supervisor
6. Confirm with the host institution research advisor which resources he/she, and the host institution will be able to provide free of charge
7. Confirm that the recommenders are willing to complete the required Recommendation Form
8. Complete and submit the Recommendation Request Form in the online application
9. Complete and submit in English the online Application Form

Required Documentation

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowship Program application must be completed by the stipulated deadline date and must include the following documents:

• Completed RSMFP application form.
• Signature on the agreement to the terms and conditions laid down by the RSMFP.
• One LOR from the hosting university's research advisor.
• One LOR from the hosting university's Ph.D. Thesis supervisor.

All necessary documents need to be uploaded online. If any document is submitted via email, post or any other means, then the applicant's form will not be reviewed.

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowship Program uses a unique and highly scrutinized review process for its applicants. Eligible applicants with the most innovative ideas and relevant research proposals will be selected.

Phase I of Selection

Two accomplished reviewers independently assess each eligible application as per the following factors:

• Quality of the proposed fellowship (70%)
• Possibilities of a productive career in research on development topics post the completion of the Ph.D. degree (30%)

The information provided by the host university's Ph.D. thesis supervisor and the host institutions research advisor is considered to be the particularly important elements of a candidate's application for the scholarship.

Phase II of Selection

The World Bank Robert S. McNamara Secretariat makes use of the average score of the two reviewers and then reviews the following other sections to select the finalists:

• Maintenance of a reasonably broad geographical distribution of awards.
• Maintenance of healthy levels of the distribution of awards across all genders.
• Awarding fellowships meritorious students who have financial need.
• Preference is given to applicants currently employed as lecturers or researchers at any academic or research institution in the World Bank member developing country.
  • Preference is also given to those who did not receive a JJ/WBGSP scholarship for their master’s degree program.

The finalists, thus shortlisted, are then presented to the World Bank Robert S. McNamara Steering Committee for a final review and selection of recipients. The RSMFP Secretariat uploads the list of recipients on their website and winners of the award are also notified personally.