This year, the program awarded 163 fellowships to outstanding women from low- and middle-income countries pursuing PhD and postdoctoral research in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM).
KAMPALA, Uganda, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Schlumberger Foundation (www.SchlumbergerFoundation.com) announced today that its flagship Faculty for the Future program has funded 1,000 fellows worldwide, following the announcement of the fellowship recipients for the 2026-2027 period.
This year, the program awarded 163 fellowships to outstanding women from low- and middle-income countries pursuing PhD and postdoctoral research in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM). The cohort includes 54 new fellows and 109 renewal recipients, further strengthening a diverse global community of researchers, educators, innovators, and leaders who apply scientific knowledge to crucial challenges in their home countries.
Since its launch in 2004, the Faculty for the Future program has played a transformative role in strengthening STEM teaching, research, and scientific capacity in countries where these contributions are most needed. Results from our recent fellow survey (https://apo-opa.co/4sIff13) showed that 83% of fellows work in academia, making significant contributions through research, teaching, and student supervision. The survey results indicate that Faculty for the Future fellows teach over 185,000 students and supervise nearly 900 graduate students, in addition to their research activities.
Their work translates into tangible institutional and societal benefits. For example, in Mozambique, neurologists Dr. Deise Catamo and Dr. Helena Buque (https://apo-opa.co/4sMHgEu) are leading a quiet revolution in neurological research and care in Mozambique. Similarly, Dr. Shakardokht Jafari (https://apo-opa.co/4e0pGcC), founder of TRUEinvivo®, has transformed her research into life-saving technology that provides high-precision dosimetry solutions for radiotherapy.
Faculty for the Future fellows also play a key role in shaping public policy. Nearly 59% of surveyed fellows report active involvement in policy-making, contributing to national and regional agendas. For instance, Dr. Happy Magoha chairs Tanzania’s Food Scientists Technical Committee, while Dr. Gayatri Indah is an earthquake technical expert on Indonesia’s National Risk Map Committee. Likewise, Mekdelawit Deribe and Rania Al Zou’bi (https://apo-opa.co/3OBNKbd) have based their doctoral research on physical modeling to support more equitable and sustainable management of critical river systems in their respective regions.
Furthermore, 20% of survey respondents identified as entrepreneurs, driving new initiatives that foster innovation, economic growth, and social impact. A notable example is Dr. Sadiyo Siad (https://apo-opa.co/4coAQXj), founder of Hano Academy, Hano Technical University, the Somali Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Society, and Hano Connect. Through these initiatives, Dr. Sadiyo has played a pivotal role in advancing STEM education, as well as technical and vocational training across Somalia.
“The creation of the Faculty for the Future program twenty years ago was a visionary response to both the need for scientific expertise in under-resourced regions and the persistent gender gap in STEM fields,” said Capella Festa, President of the Schlumberger Foundation. “By empowering female researchers to bring distinct perspectives to education, innovation, and leadership, the program demonstrates how diversity strengthens research and drives meaningful, lasting impact.”
The Schlumberger Foundation remains committed to expanding the reach and impact of the Faculty for the Future program, based on the conviction that advancing women in science is essential for achieving equitable and sustainable development worldwide.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Schlumberger Foundation.
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Media Contact:
Joan Busingye
[email protected]
About the Schlumberger Foundation:
The Schlumberger Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization founded by SLB in 1954. Its mission is to drive knowledge and promote excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The Faculty for the Future program was created to maximize the Foundation’s impact by supporting women engineers and scientists from low- and middle-income countries.
For more information about the Faculty for the Future program, visit the Schlumberger Foundation (www.SchlumbergerFoundation.com).
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