✨ Should I Apply for TDR Postgraduate Training Scheme (WHO-TDR Research Scholarship)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Varies by host country (covers full tuition and living expenses)
⏱
Duration
12 to 24 months (depending on the specific Master's or PhD program)
🗓
Deadline
Varies by host university (typically between April and July annually)
🏥
Fields
Public Health, Epidemiology, Implementation Research, Infectious Diseases of Poverty
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 10 to 15 scholarships per host university per cycle
🌏
Study Country
Multiple Countries (Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, Lebanon, South Africa, Thailand)
🏛️
Provider
TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank, and WHO)
📊
Acceptance
Check official website (Estimated <5% due to high volume of applicants)
The TDR Postgraduate Training Scheme provides full scholarships for Master's and PhD programs to strengthen the capacity of researchers in low- and middle-income countries. The program focuses on Implementation Research, which helps identify bottlenecks in health systems and social environments to improve the delivery of health interventions for infectious diseases of poverty.
👥 Who Should Apply
Must be a national/resident of an LMIC, aged under 35 (Master's) or 40 (PhD), meet host university admission requirements, and be committed to a career in implementation research.
🏛️ Host University
BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (Bangladesh), Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), University of Ghana (Ghana), Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia), American University of Beirut (Lebanon), University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), Khon Kaen University (Thailand)
🤝 Sponsor
World Health Organization (WHO)
🏥 Fields of Study
Public Health, Epidemiology, Implementation Research, Infectious Diseases of Poverty
✨ Key Benefits
Provides full tuition, a monthly living stipend, return economy air travel, health insurance, and financial support for the research dissertation/thesis fieldwork.
🎯 Target Students
Public health professionals, researchers, and clinicians from LMICs
🏷 Tags
WHO
TDR
Public Health
Implementation Research
LMIC
Global Health
Master's Scholarship
PhD Scholarship
💸 Funding Breakdown
Living Stipend
Yes (Monthly allowance tailored to the local cost of living)
Total Award
Varies by host country (cove
✈️ Travel: Yes (One return economy airfare from home country to host institution)
🏠 Accommodation: Yes (Included in the monthly stipend or provided directly)
💊 Health Insurance: Yes (Comprehensive medical and accident insurance provided)
🔄 Renewable: No
💳 App Fee: Varies by university (often waived for TDR applicants)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (100%)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes (Monthly allowance tailored to the local cost of living)
🏡 Accommodation
Yes (Included in the monthly stipend or provided directly)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (One return economy airfare from home country to host institution)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes (Comprehensive medical and accident insurance provided)
🎁 Other Benefits
Support for research project expenses, thesis preparation costs, and participation in TDR networking events
📋 Renewal Conditions
N/A (Scholarship is for the fixed duration of the degree program)
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Residents and nationals of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) of WHO regions
🎓 Academic Level
Master's and PhD (Implementation Research focus)
📊 Minimum GPA
Varies by university (typically a strong B average or 3.0/4.0 scale)
🗣️ English Requirement
Yes (IELTS, TOEFL, or evidence of English as medium of instruction)
🎂 Age Limit
Generally under 35 years for Master's and under 40 years for PhD
💼 Work Experience
Preferred (Relevant experience in health services or research is highly valued)
🏆 Leadership
Strong leadership potential in the field of public health is expected
💰 Financial Need
Considered (Targets students from LMIC countries)
🎯 Target Students
Public health professionals, researchers, and clinicians from LMICs
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Statement of purpose and/or research proposal focused on Implementation Research)
Rec Letters
Yes (Usually 2-3 academic and professional references)
Interview
Yes (Shortlisted candidates usually undergo a virtual interview)
Application Fee
Varies by university (often waived for TDR applicants)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Usually 2-3 academic and professional references) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Yes (IELTS, TOEFL, or evidence of English as medium of instruction)
- Interview: Yes (Shortlisted candidates usually undergo a virtual interview)
- Min GPA: Varies by university (typically a strong B average or 3.0/4.0 scale)
📋 Application Process
Align your research proposal with 'Implementation Research' principles and focus on infectious diseases of poverty relevant to your home country.
💡 Insider Tip: Applications must be submitted directly to the host university of choice, not to the WHO headquarters. Ensure you contact the university's focal point early.