51勛圖

Scholarships, grants and other resources for education and research

Please noteLinks, citations or other references to external websites or documents should not be seen as an endorsement on the part of the 51勛圖 of external organizations not part of the 51勛圖 system, including non-governmental organizations, or of commercial products or services.

Scholarships and grants

Several institutions provide scholarships and other forms of funding for education and research to LDC nationals. In some cases, support is provided exclusively to nationals of LDCs; in others, LDC nationals are given priority. Examples include: 

  • The  is available for young scientists from developing countries working on issues related to climate change. The programme gives priority to students from LDCs.
  • Under  there are several opportunities for nationals of developing countries. Some of the fellowships prioritize nationals of LDCs. 
    • The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)  provides institutions and research groups located in LDCs with the opportunity to establish long-term links with TWAS members to assist in research activities and advanced training and so help develop the local scientific capacities. TWAS Members are appointed to institutions in LDCs for a period of five years, during which they visit the host institution three times for a minimum stay of one month each time.
    •  recognizes scientists from LDCs. It carries a cash award of USD4,000. The 2022 award will honour a scientist working in an area relevant to sustainability.
    • honours women scientists in African LDCs for achievements in biological sciences. It carries a cash award of USD5,000.
    • offers postdoctoral fellowships to researchers from LDCs in natural, applied and social sciences. Fellowships will be developed in host institutions in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. 
  • The UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries,  and   offer early-career scientists from LDCs, aged 45 or under, exchange visits of up to 6-months at the ICGEB laboratories in  (Italy),  (India) and  (South Africa). Under the programme agreement called (ProgrAmme of CollaboraTions with LDCs), students work in the fields of biomedicinebiotechnology and agriculture. The Programme also includes a scheme to provide training in biotechnology policy and  by ICGEB experts.
  • The International Design Education (IDE) Program provides scholarships for students from LDCs for a Master's degree in industrial design engineering at Zheijang University. The scholarship was launched in 2021 by the , the and Zheijang University. 
  • The  has a fellowship programme for female students from LDCs and a list of another 19 countries who wish to pursue postgraduate training leading to a Ph.D. outside their home countries.
  • The University of California Berkeley Law School grants a waiver of half of the tuition for LL.M. programmes for nationals of LDCs.
  • See also Diplomatic training | LDC Portal - International Support Measures for Least Developed Countries.

Other resources for education and research

  • In the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA), member states agreed to explore the possibility of establishing an online university or other equivalent platforms to support online graduate and post-graduate university-level science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in LDCs and recently graduated countries. The process is ongoing.
  • Local, not-for-profit institutions from LDCs (and a group of other countries) may register for free or low-cost access to tens of thousands of peer-reviewed international scientific journals, publications, and databases through Research4Life: .