Louis Dreyfus Foundation - Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld Scholarship and Leadership Programme

Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld Scholarship and Leadership Programme

You will receive fully funded place at the University of Oxford. This will cover 100% of your tuition fees, as well as a living allowance of at least approximately 24,500 euros per year (£20,780). The funding covers the entire duration of your postgraduate studies, which is usually 12 months for a one-year Master’s programme. You will also take part in a leadership programme: skills training, communication and business coaching, as well as long-term mentoring (personal support from an experienced adviser) and a lasting network of fellow scholarship holders. The scholarship is awarded by the Louis Dreyfus Foundation in collaboration with the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust and the Oxford Colleges, which share the costs.

Who can apply

• Where you live: They usually live in a country in Africa, Asia or South America (emerging and transition economies).
• Degree so far: You already hold a bachelor’s degree.
• Where you study: You are applying for a new full-time postgraduate programme at the University of Oxford. If you are already studying at Oxford, you cannot apply unless you are already a Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Fellow.
• Field of study: Your topic relates to food security, sustainability or agriculture. Examples include agriculture, healthcare, environmental and water management, the economy, and domestic and foreign policy.
• Career plan: You plan to return to your home country or region once you have completed your studies. You can explain how your studies will help to improve public life there.
• Financial need: Priority is given to applicants who would not be able to afford to study at Oxford without this funding.

How to apply

You should apply via the standard application form for postgraduate programmes at the University of Oxford, selecting the ‘Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme’. Please attach the required scholarship declaration. Depending on the programme, the application deadline is 10. October or 24 October. Only applicants who have been offered a place at the University of Oxford will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview; results will be announced during the spring.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is subject to strict eligibility criteria. You must live in Africa, Asia or South America, have been offered a place at Oxford, and demonstrate a clear link between your field of study and a career path that will benefit your home region. Because of this focus, the pool of applicants is smaller than for open scholarships, but gaining admission to Oxford itself is the most difficult step. If you clearly meet the criteria of food security and sustainability and can demonstrate genuine financial need as well as leadership aspirations, your prospects are good.