Wellcome Trust Fund – International Master’s Fellowships: Deadline: September 2020

This scheme offers nationals of low- and middle-income countries the opportunity to receive training at Master’s degree level

Who can apply

You can apply for an International Master’s Fellowship if:

• you’re a national of a low- or middle-income country
• your proposed research focuses on a health priority in a low- or middle-income country
• you have sponsorship from an eligible host organisation in a low- or middle-income country apart from mainland China.

You must

• hold a clinical or non-clinical undergraduate degree in a relevant subject
• be at an early stage in your career with limited research experience (but you must have demonstrated interest in, or aptitude for, research)

Your research proposal

Your research proposal should be within our science remit and focus on a health priority in a low- or middle-income country.

When we consider your application, we’ll look at the

• quality and importance of your research question(s)
• feasibility of your approach to solving these problems
• suitability of your choice of research environments
• suitability of the taught Master of Science (MSc) course you select – it should take place at a recognised centre of excellence and provide you with training that will complement your research project.

Who can’t apply

You can’t apply if you’re

• intending to be based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or another high-income country (although your taught course can be anywhere in the world)
• planning to do a Master of Research (MRes)
• a researcher in India – instead see the Wellcome Trust/Department of Biotechnology India Alliance
• currently applying for another Wellcome Trust fellowship.

We wouldn’t usually expect you to apply if you already have a Master’s.

You can’t apply to carry out activities that involve the transfer of grant funds into mainland China.

What’s expected of your host organisation

You must be based at an eligible host organisation in a low- or middle-income country for the research project. When your host organisation submits your application, they must agree to provide the space and resources you’ll need from the start date through to the end date of your award.

Sponsor

You must have a sponsor who is a head of department or equivalent (for example centre director or head of school) in your host organisation.

The sponsor must be able to guarantee that you’ll have a post for the duration of the fellowship. The sponsor should not expect you to spend more than eight hours a week on non-research activities (for example clinical duties, teaching or administration).

Your sponsor’s support and mentorship should be part of a longer-term commitment to help you achieve your career aspirations.

Supervisor

You  must have a supervisor who will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of your research project.

You should also have additional supervisors for each period that you spend outside your host organisation, including your taught course. They must agree to provide the space and resources you’ll need.

You should also have additional supervisors for each period that you spend outside your host organisation, including your taught course. They must agree to provide the space and resources you’ll need.

You should give careful thought to your choice of supervisor(s).

A supervisor should:

• have an ongoing research programme
• have a strong track record in research, training and mentorship
• provide you with guidance during the application process and fellowship.

You can nominate your sponsor as a supervisor, if appropriate.

Duration

An International Master’s Fellowship is for 30 months, unless you want to hold it on a part-time basis.

The first 12 months should be dedicated to doing a taught Master of Science (MSc) course at a recognised centre of excellence anywhere in the world.

The following 18 months is for your research project at an eligible organisation in a low- or middle-income country.

An award of £120,000 provides support for:

Support during the Master’s course

The support includes:

• If your taught course or training is in the UK, you can use £16,000 a year (outside London) or £18,000 a year (in London) to cover the cost of your stipend. If your course or training is outside the UK, you should check living costs with your prospective training organisation.

• travel costs (eg outward and return airfares)
• approved tuition fees, according to the rate charged by the training organisation.

• travel costs (eg outward and return airfares)
• approved tuition fees, according to the rate charged by the training organisation.

We support distance learning taught Master’s degrees.

If your stipend is liable for tax in the country you’re based in, you can use the funds to cover the taxed amount.

Visa and work permit costs

If Wellcome is going to pay your salary on the grant, you can use your fellowship funds to pay for visa costs to help you take up the post at your host organisation. You can also use them for:

• Immigration Health Surcharge costs.
• Essential associated costs, such as travel to attend appointments at a visa application centre or embassy.

How to apply

You must submit your application through the Wellcome Trust Grant Tracker (WTGT).

Click here to start your application