International Fellowship Program (IFP)

Program Summary

Launched in 2001, the Ford Foundation’s International Fellowships Program (IFP) has invested in educating a new generation of leaders who are committed to achieving social justice in their societies. The program has been active in 22 countries worldwide, including Egypt and Palestine. Since its inception, the IFP has partnered with AMIDEAST to make it possible for outstanding men and women in both countries to pursue up to three years of graduate study at any college or university in the world. IFP is strongly committed to reaching out to individuals from socioeconomic groups and communities lacking systematic access to higher education and instilling within these future leaders the skills and knowledge needed to improve social and economic conditions within their communities.

Bishoy Mikhail from Egypt earned his Masters in Participation, Power and Social Change from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. He traveled to Waw in Southern Sudan for a field visit to elementary schools. “Through my MA, I linked the theories of development studies and social change to the field starting by Sudan … [A]fter finishing my MA [I] will start feeding my organization in Egypt with what I have learned.”

Main Goals

  • Promote social justice, community development, and access to higher education

  • Support talented individuals from marginalized social groups

  • Encourage these individuals to use their leadership skills and knowledge to work toward positive social change in their home communities and countries

Program Results

  • A total of 321 men and women — 172 in Egypt and 149 in Palestine — have been selected as IFP Fellows since the program began. IFP fellows have included women activists, village council members, and representatives of charitable organizations, Palestinian refugee camp committees, and grassroot NGOs.

  • In addition to financial assistance for travel, living expenses, and tuition at universities throughout the world, many of them have received preliminary short-term training including language instruction, workshops on research skills, and computer training.

  • Four out of five IFP fellows received funding for master’s degree programs, the remainder for Ph.D programs, at universities around the world.

  • Following the completion of their studies, nearly all IFP fellows have returned home, where many are helping to continue the IFP legacy through alumni activities.

 

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