World Bank RSM Fellowships Program 2016

• RSM Fellowship Program commonly known as Robert S. McNamara Fellowship is conducted by the World Bank in honour of the former World Bank President.
• It was launched in 1982 in association with the Governments of India, China, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Peru, Nigeria, Pakistan and former Yugoslavia.
• The Fellowship is open to Ph.D. candidates from 144 developing countries. The list of countries is mentioned below.
  • RSM Fellowship Program offers grants worth $25,000 to Ph.D. students from the selected developing countries to carry out innovative and developmental doctoral research under a supervisor in one of the participating institutions. 
  • The  grants will be offered for a 6-10 month period beginning July 2016 and ending in December 2016.
• The scholarship is NOT for carrying out full Ph.D. studies and first-year Ph.D. students CANNOT apply for the Fellowship.
• Applications for RSM Fellowship has opened on January 5, 2016, and the last date to apply is February 02, 2016. The candidates have to submit a research proposal in the area of development to apply for this fellowship programme.
• The final list of winners will be announced by the end of May 2016.

World Bank RSM Fellowships Program Reward

RSM Fellowships Program includes a reward of maximum $25,000 for a period of 6-10 months between July-December 2016.

• Tuition Fees: The Fellowship covers the tuition fee (if any) for carrying out the research. The tuition fee is charged by the host institution on the basis of the research and budget proposal.
• Research Allowance: The Ph.D. fellow will also receive an allowance which will cover the cost of books, research material, local field trips, seminars and other expenses.
• Living Stipend: Ph.D. candidates will get a living stipend which will cover basic housing and health needs. This amount varies from institution to institution.
• Travel Expenses: The Fellowship will also cover the airfare needed to travel to the host institution and return fare to travel back to the home country.

Terms for Disbursal of Allowances

The Disbursal of the above-mentioned expenses is in direct proportion to the performance of the Fellows' research work. The Fellows will be granted, the above benefits subject to the following conditions:

• The Ph.D. candidates will have to submit a mid-term report and a final report to their research advisor.
• The research advisor provides affirmation letters in support of the research work carried out by the Fellow.

World Bank RSM Fellowships Program Application Process

Guidelines for Filling the RSM Fellowships Program Application Form

• Sign Up: Candidates are first required to sign up for the Fellowship by entering their current e-mail ID and setting a password. Applications have started on January 5, 2016. >> Apply Now
• Save Draft and Edit: While filling up the application form, you will be given a ‘Save Draft’ option at the end of the page. You can save the current page and then go back to edit/change the details (if required). Otherwise, press ‘Next’.
• Fellowship Amount Should not Exceed $25,000: While filling up the fellowship form, you will be asked to request an amount for the research work. The amount you request should NOT be higher than $25,000.
• Navigating between Pages:  Candidates can navigate between pages and edit details while filling up the application form.
• But after the final submission of the application, No further changes can be made.

Steps to Fill the Application Form

• Create or Edit Application: After Signing up, candidates will be directed to another page. They have to select ‘Create or Edit Application (mandatory)’ option given on the page.
• Step 1: Fill the application form with the Choice of Language and requisite personal details and then press ‘Save Draft’ and then click ‘Next’.
• Step 2: This page requires you to fill your academic details. After filling up the details save the draft and then click on the ‘Next’ option.
• Step 3: On this page, you are required give the details of the host university you are applying to and the details in relation to your research work. Also, provide the amount requested for the Fellowship. The amount should not exceed $25,000.
• Step 4: The next step requires the candidate to fill his/her employment details (if any).
• Step 5: In this step, the candidate has to mention some details regarding his/her research work in descriptive format.
• Step 6: This step requires the candidate to fill the details of financing his/her highest university degree in percentage form.
• Step 7: In this step, the candidate has to upload and attach the requisite academic documents.
• Step 8: This step involves a Survey, Declaration, and signature. Candidates have to upload a scanned image of their full signature. Now Press ‘Submit’.
• Keep a printed copy of the application form for future reference.

Submission of the Application Form

• Candidates have to submit their application form online.
• No hard copy of the application is to be sent via post.

• Candidates will have to provide references in order to support their application. The references vary on the basis of employment. References have to be uploaded with the Application Form
  • If the candidate is NOT employed, he/she will require one reference letter from the Ph.D. thesis supervisor and another from the research advisor of the host university.
  • If the candidate is employed, he/she will ALSO require a professional reference in addition to the above two references.
• Important Points for referees
  
  • The referee will be contacted via e-mail from the organizers of the Fellowship. They have to fill a certain form in any of the three languages including English, Spanish or French. 
  • They will also be required to upload a copy of their C.V.

World Bank RSM Fellowships Program Selection Process

The candidates for the Fellowship program are selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• Score Awarded by Reviewers on the Research Proposal: The application form is reviewed and given a score between 1 and 10 by two qualified reviewers. While reviewing the application form, following things are kept in mind:
  • 70% weightage is given to the quality of the proposed fellowship.
  • 30% weightage to the productive career prospects after Ph.D.
• Inputs of Thesis Supervisor/Research Advisor: Inputs provided by the Ph.D. thesis supervisor and research advisor of the host institution are important elements in the application.
• Selection of Finalists: The finalists are selected by The World Bank Robert S. McNamara Secretariat keeping in mind the above points. The names of the finalists will be announced in April.
• Submission of Supplemental Documents: The selected candidates are asked to submit the requisite documents which include:
  • Scanned copy of passport (OR)
  • Scanned copy of marriage/birth certificate.
• The final list of candidates is brought before the World Bank Robert S. McNamara Steering Committee which comprises the WB management and World Bank Board of Directors for selection of winners.

Intimation to Winners

Winners will be informed by the end of May 2016 via E-mail comprising an offer letter.

• In order to accept, candidates are required to take a printout of the letter, sign it and send the scanned copy within 3 days of receipt.
• Submit a certificate of good health from a medical doctor within 30 days of receipt of the e-mail.
• Send a copy of the visa. (If the research is to conducted in the USA, candidates require a J-1 visa which means that the holder is “subject to the two-year residency rule” or a G-4 visa (if the fellow’s host institution is the World Bank or other international organization).

List of Countries Eligible for RSM Fellowship Programme

The student should be a national of the following countries to be eligible for RSM Fellowship Programme. 

The World Bank
1818 H Street, NW
USA Washington, DC 20433

Phone: (202) 473-1000

Fax: (202) 477-6391