Fellowships
Process
Based on the country's national health plans, the Government of each country allocates the funds for fellowships in their country budget and advertises the availability of fellowships to all government units. Interested apply and undergo a selection process.
WHO pays the cost of the fellowships programme including the travel, tuition, monthly living allowance called stipend and other incidental expenses of the fellows during the course of the programme. At the end of the fellowships programme, the fellows are mandated to serve in the Ministry of Health or other health institutions in their country of origin for at least three years.
Eligibility
Fellowships are available to nationals of Member States and Associate Members of WHO and to nationals of territories and areas for whose international relations WHO Member States are responsible, or which are administered by international authorities established by the United Nations.
Normally, fellowships are granted to persons who:
- Are, or will be, engaged in medical or health work in their national health organization, and whose applications are supported by their national health administration;
- Have not less than two years' experience in the subject they wish to study (except for undergraduate studies);
- Submit subjects for study which are directly connected with the country’s training and development plans;
- Will place their services at the disposal of a national health administration immediately after their fellowship for specified minimum periods in relation to the duration of the fellowship;
- Are in good health and, normally, are not over 55 years of age if the retiring age is 60 or above, nor over 50 if the retiring age is below 60; and
- Are able to speak, read and write a language which can be used for the proposed studies.