The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme at Oxford University

The Weidenfeld Scholarships and Leadership Programme cultivates the leaders of tomorrow by providing outstanding university graduates and professionals with the opportunity to pursue fully funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford in conjunction with access to a comprehensive programme of leadership development, long-term mentoring and networking.

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programmesupports five postgraduate students per annum and is offered to exceptional scholars devoting their studies and professional careers to international development or environmental management and conservation. These studies encompass a number of subjects offered in Oxford University’s School of Geography and Environment and Department of International Development (please see below for a list of eligible courses). 

The Scheme targets exceptional individuals from the transition and emerging economies of Europe’s wider neighbourhood including Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Russia  and  Central Asia, as well as North Africa and the Middle East (please see below for complete list of eligible countries).

The Leadership Programme includes:

• An annual Leadership and Public Policy Seminar including moderated discussions and workshops on political philosophy and leadership development;
• Practical skills training in presentation, exam-writing and interviewing techniques;
• A London Leadership Forum at the end of the academic year;
• Engagement in the Institute for Strategic Dialogue’s projects and conferences;
• Organisation of an annual Weidenfeld Debate; and
• Numerous networking opportunities throughout the year.

The Programme is managed by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). ISD is an independent think tank working with leaders in government, business, academia and the media to develop multi-country responses to the major security and socio-economic challenges of our time and to enhance Europe’s capacity to act effectively in the global arena.

Financial support is generously provided by the Fondation Hoffmann, a Swiss based grant making institution created in 2000. Its mission is to support the emergence and expansion of concrete projects which address global problems in today’s societies. The Foundation is particularly committed to fostering research and encouraging talented students. To date the Foundation has supported the creation of four academic chairs and funded a number of scholarship schemes and research projects with a particular focus on the environment and economics.

Am I eligible?

You should be applying to start a new full-time graduate course at Oxford.

Eligible candidates must have an undergraduate degree and be ordinarily resident in one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Mongolia, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Western Sahara, Yemen.

You should be intending to return to your country or region of origin once your course is completed.

Scholars under the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme will pursue study or research in one of the following courses:

School of Geography and Environment Courses:	Department of International Development Courses:
DPhil in Geography and Environment (Course Code: 001510)	DPhil in International Development (Course Code: 002695)
MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management (Course Code: 001410)	MPhil in Development Studies (Course Code: 002690)
MSc in Environmental Change and Management (Course Code: 001470)	MSc in Economics for Development (Course Code: 002750)
MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Policy (Course Code: 001610)	MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (Course Code: 002931)
MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management (Course Code: 001700)	MSc in Migration Studies (Course Code: 001675)
	MSc in Global Governance & Diplomacy (Course Code: 003450)

 

Applicants should be able to demonstrate a connection between their subject of study and their longer-term career objectives, explaining how they see their professional work contributing to the improvement of public life in their countries of origin or at a wider regional or international level.

Please ensure that you meet the selection criteria for your course (see the Course Guide for more information).   This scholarship is not open to students with deferred entry.

This scholarship may not be held in conjunction with any other awards. Students currently at Oxford are not eligible to apply unless they are already Weidenfeld Scholars. Part-time courses are not eligible for the Weidenfeld - Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme.

What does it cover?

100% of university and college fees and a grant for living costs (rate to be confirmed).  Awards are made for the full duration of a student's fee liability for the agreed course.  If your scholarship is offered for a course lasting more than one year, the continuation of your scholarship each year is subject to an annual renewal process based upon satisfactory academic progress.

How do I apply?

Apply at the same time as you apply for your course at Oxford by using the University's online application system. In the Funding Section of the University's Graduate Application Form, select Weidenfeld - Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme. Applications sent to ISD directly cannot be considered.

You must also complete a Weidenfeld Scholarship Questionnaire (see 'downloads' on the right hand side of this page) and upload it together with your graduate application form by the deadline, in order for your application to be complete.

In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must submit your application for graduate study by the relevant January deadline for your course (24 January 2014).

If you do not apply as detailed above by the deadline, you will not be considered for this scholarship, even if you have selected theWeidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme on the graduate application form.

Additional points to note when applying for this scholarship:

If, following the assessment of the January deadline applications, your department places your application on a waiting list or decides to re-evaluate it against the applications received for the next deadline (14 March 2014), then you will no longer be eligible for this scholarship.

If you are accepted onto a different course from the one you originally applied for, you should contact us as soon as you are notified of the change in order to ensure that your application for a scholarship is maintained on the new course. However, please note that such a change of course may mean that you are no longer eligible for this scholarship.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an interview in late April 2014.

How will I know if I have been successful?

Decisions are expected to be made around May 2014.  This webpage will be updated as soon as successful candidates have been notified.  If you have not heard from us by this time, then your application to this scheme has been unsuccessful. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact unsuccessful applicants individually or provide feedback on applications.

Further information

If you have any questions about this scholarship which are not answered above, please email us through the Ask a Question facility, selecting the Funding category.