This year, the program awarded 163 fellowships to outstanding women from low- and middle-income countries who are pursuing PhDs or postdoctoral research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
KAMPALA, Uganda, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Schlumberger Foundation (www.SchlumbergerFoundation.com) announced today that its flagship program, Faculty for the Future, has now supported 1,000 fellows worldwide following the announcement of its 2026–2027 cohort of grant recipients.
This year, the program awarded 163 fellowships to outstanding women from low- and middle-income countries who are pursuing PhDs or postdoctoral research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This cohort includes 54 new fellows and 109 fellows who received renewed grants. This further strengthens a diverse, global community of researchers, educators, innovators, and leaders who apply scientific knowledge to address critical challenges in their home countries.
Since its launch in 2004, the Faculty for the Future program has been instrumental in enhancing STEM teaching, research, and scientific capacity in countries where these contributions are most urgently needed. Results from our recent fellow survey (https://apo-opa.co/4sIff13) showed that 83% of fellows are active in academia, making significant contributions through research, teaching, and student mentorship. The survey results indicate that, alongside their research activities, Faculty for the Future fellows teach more than 185,000 students and mentor nearly 900 PhD candidates.
Their work leads to tangible benefits for institutions and society. 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. Similarly, Dr. Shakardokht Jafari (https://apo-opa.co/4e0pGcC), founder of TRUEinvivo®, has translated her research findings into a life-saving technology that provides highly precise dosimetry solutions for radiation therapy.
Faculty for the Future fellows also play a crucial role in shaping public policy. Nearly 59% of surveyed fellows report actively engaging in policy-making and contributing to national and regional agendas. For instance, Dr. Happy Magoha chairs the Tanzanian Food Scientists’ Technical Committee, while Dr. Gayatri Indah serves as a technical expert for earthquakes on Indonesia’s National Hazard Map Committee. Likewise, Mekdelawit Deribe and Rania AlZou’bi (https://apo-opa.co/3OBNKbd) have grounded their doctoral work in physical modeling to promote more equitable and sustainable management of critical river systems in their respective regions.
Furthermore, 20% of surveyed fellows identified as entrepreneurs, founding new ventures that drive 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 STEM Society, and Hano Connect. Through these initiatives, Dr. Sadiyo has been instrumental in advancing STEM education as well as technical and vocational education and training across Somalia.
“The establishment of the Faculty for the Future program twenty years ago was a visionary response to both the need for scientific expertise in underserved regions and the persistent gender gap in STEM,” said Capella Festa, President of the Schlumberger Foundation. “By empowering women researchers to bring new perspectives to education, innovation, and leadership, the program demonstrates how diversity strengthens research and achieves meaningful, sustainable impact.”
The Schlumberger Foundation remains committed to expanding the reach and impact of the Faculty for the Future program, believing that advancing women in science is crucial for equitable and sustainable development worldwide.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Schlumberger Foundation.
Download image: https://apo-opa.co/4vN6i9u
Media Contact:
Joan Busingye
[email protected]
About the Schlumberger Foundation:
The Schlumberger Foundation is an independent nonprofit entity established in 1954 by SLB. Its mission is to expand the frontiers of knowledge and foster excellence in education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 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 website (www.SchlumbergerFoundation.com).
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