The Weidenfeld Scholarships and Leadership Programme cultivates the leaders of tomorrow from transition and emerging economies by providing outstanding university graduates and young professionals with the opportunity to pursue fully funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford and access to a comprehensive programme of leadership development, long-term mentoring and networking.
Overall, the programme provides Scholars with the knowledge, skills and international networks necessary to contribute optimally to public life in their countries and regions of origin and to build lasting professional linkages across cultures and continents.
The Weidenfeld Leadership Programme includes:
- an annual ten day long Leadership and Public Policy Seminar including conferences, moderated discussions and workshops on political philosophy and leadership development;
- practical skills training in public speaking, conflict management and decision making;
- an annual European Study Tour;
- engagement in the Institute’s projects and conferences;
- an annual Weidenfeld Debate;
- a public policy analysis training for a selected group of Scholars long-term professional mentoring; and
- a myriad of networking opportunities throughout the year.
The programme is managed by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). The ISD is an independent think tank working with leaders in government, business, media and academia 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.
Activities include research, specialised task forces, high level policy briefings, scholarships and cross border networks that foster leadership and stability across Europe and its wider neighbourhood, actively bridging inter-communal, religious, socio-economic and political divides.
Am I eligible?
Candidates should be applying to start a new graduate course at Oxford. Please ensure you meet the requirements for entry to your course, including English language requirements.
Eligible candidates must have an undergraduate degree and be an ordinary resident of 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, United States, Uzbekistan, Western Sahara, Yemen.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they aspire through their professional work to contribute to the public good in their country or region, or on a global basis. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a connection between their subject of study and their longer-term career objectives.
Applicants should be intending to return to their country of ordinary residence following their studies.
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 a Weidenfeld Scholar. Part-time courses are not eligible for the Weidenfeld Scholarships and Leadership Programme.
This scholarship is open to candidates studying for all degree bearing courses, with the exception of PGCert and PGDip courses.
What does it cover?
100% of university and college fees, and a grant for living costs (the rate in 2011-12 was £13,500).
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 on satisfactory academic progress.
How do I apply?
Apply at the same time as you apply to Oxford by selecting Weidenfeld Scholarships and Leadership Programme in the Funding Section of the University's Graduate Application Form. Candidates should apply by Application Deadline 2 (6 January 2012 for Medical Sciences and Philosophy; 20 January 2012 for all other subjects).
In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must submit your application for graduate study by the January deadline (20 January 2012) and you must have secured a place on your chosen programme of study by the expected final decision date (16 March 2012). Applications with an outstanding admissions decision after this date, or applications which are re-evaluated against the later March deadline field, are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
You must also complete a Weidenfeld Scholarship Questionnaire and upload it together with your Graduate Application Form by the application deadline in order for your application to be complete.
If you do not apply in full by the deadline, you will not be considered for the scholarship, even if you have selected Weidenfeld Scholarships and Leadership Programme on the Graduate Application Form.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an expenses-paid interview weekend in Oxford in early May 2012.
