Introduction
If you’re a medical student, a junior doctor, a public-health practitioner or a health researcher in Africa, Asia or the Middle East, the idea of a fully funded WHO scholarship with a monthly stipend and no IELTS is understandably attractive. In practice, the WHO ecosystem offers a mix of fellowships, internships, grants and targeted scholarships — some are short professional fellowships, others are research grants that support degree completion, and a few are postgraduate scholarships run through partner universities (often co-funded).
This guide does three practical things:
-
Explains the landscape — what WHO offers directly, what partners run, and where monthly stipends are typical.
-
Walks you step-by-step through realistic application routes, with templates and a sample timeline for 2025.
-
Covers the “no IELTS” question in plain language — when it applies, what alternatives work, and how to document language ability.
Throughout, I focus on realistic, verifiable programs that were live or announced in 2024–2025 and that are relevant to candidates in Africa and Asia.
Overview — what “WHO scholarships” actually are (and are not)
Important clarification up front: WHO is a technical and normative UN agency — it funds capacity building and fellowships, issues calls for research grants, and partners with universities and regional offices. It does not operate a single global scholarship program like a university scholarship office would. Instead, look for these WHO-linked options:
-
Regional WHO Fellowship Programmes (AFRO, EMRO, SEARO, WPRO, PAHO) that build workforce capacity and sometimes provide tuition support and stipend-style allowances. For example, WHO AFRO’s fellowship initiatives have supported master’s/PhD students and public-health managers with tuition and research fee support.
-
WHO incentive grants and targeted research calls (for early-career researchers in LMICs) that fund 6–12 month projects or thesis work — frequently structured as grants with fixed payments rather than a monthly salary. The WHO Global NCD Platform’s Incentive Grants for Young Researchers (2025 call) is an example of this model.
-
WHO/TDR (Special Programme for Research & Training in Tropical Diseases) postgraduate scholarships and leadership fellowships — TDR directly funds postgraduate training and clinical research leadership fellowships that may include living allowances and tuition support, often organised through partner universities.
-
PAHO / WHO regional fellowship schemes (the PAHO/WHO Fellowships Program in the Americas) and other regional capacity programs — these are country-level and often fund training aligned with national priorities.
-
WHO Academy internships and WHO collaborating centre scholarships — shorter training, internships, and capacity grants, sometimes with stipends or travel support depending on the call and sponsoring office.
In short: the WHO ecosystem is a portfolio of fellowships, grants and collaborative scholarships — not a single scholarship product. That makes the search slightly more complex but also gives you multiple routes to funding.
Why WHO-linked scholarships matter in 2025
For applicants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East the WHO pathway matters because:
-
They are mission-aligned — WHO funds projects and fellowships aimed at real health problems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), so your research is likely to have direct policy relevance.
-
Funding often covers real costs — WHO regional fellowships and TDR postgraduate schemes have specific provisions to cover tuition, research fees and sometimes monthly living support; they are designed to remove financial barriers to capacity building.
-
They prioritise LMIC applicants — many calls explicitly target researchers and health workers based in LMICs, which increases your chances compared with global, highly-competitive university scholarships.
-
Language flexibility — because many WHO opportunities are professional or research placements (not university admissions), IELTS is frequently not required; instead, selection panels emphasise prior training, supervision and project feasibility.
Key importance — who should target WHO fellowships & grants
You should seriously consider WHO-linked funding if you are:
-
A medical postgraduate (MBBCh/MBBS/MD) planning short-term research (thesis or implementation study) and needing tuition + fieldwork support.
-
An early-career clinician or public-health professional seeking practical leadership training (fellowships in emergency response, surveillance, NCDs, immunization).
-
A research student (MSc/MPH/PhD) focusing on tropical disease, implementation research, NCDs or health systems and who wants a funder aligned with national health agendas.
-
An educator or capacity-builder in a university or ministry of health looking for mentorship, partnerships and small grants for program development.
If your goal is a full multi-year degree funded like a classical university scholarship (undergraduate/MD degree funding), WHO is less likely to be the primary funder — but WHO grants and fellowships can combine with university funds to make full funding feasible.
Key insights — the practical truth about monthly stipends and IELTS
Two of the most asked questions are: (A) Will WHO awards pay monthly stipends? and (B) Can I apply without IELTS? Here’s the honest breakdown.
A. Monthly stipends: sometimes — and usually modest
-
Fellowships (regional WHO programs, PAHO/WHO, TDR clinical leadership fellowships) often provide a living allowance or stipend, or cover tuition and research costs plus a per diem during placements. The amount and frequency vary by programme and region — some pay a fixed grant to the host or university (which then manages monthly payments), others make monthly disbursements to fellows. Example: WHO AFRO’s fellowship (COVID-19/PHEM cohort) explicitly provided financial support to cover tuition and research fees for selected fellows.
-
Incentive grants and research grants (e.g., WHO Global NCD Platform grants) usually provide project grants payable in instalments or upon milestones — they’re not always described as monthly salaries but can be used to cover living costs while you complete a 6–12 month research project.
-
TDR programmes often include support for tuition and sometimes a living component, especially for postgraduate scholarships and clinical research leadership fellowships, but the exact stipend rules depend on the host institution and the country.
Practical tip: Always read the “what is funded” section of each call — some calls fund tuition and research costs only, others explicitly list living allowances or per diems.
B. No IELTS: frequently possible — but verify case by case
-
Why IELTS may be unnecessary: Many WHO fellowships are workplace placements, short training modules or research grants where selection committees prioritise technical competence and supervision, not an English test result. In those cases, professional experience, past training, and local language evidence (MOI letters) often suffice.
-
When IELTS matters: If a WHO grant requires you to enroll in a degree program at a university, the university’s admissions rules apply — the host university may require IELTS, TOEFL or accept a medium-of-instruction letter. Always confirm whether the WHO award covers the university’s language requirements or whether the university will accept alternatives.
Bottom line: For most WHO fellowships and WHO-funded short-term trainings, IELTS is not a universal requirement. But for WHO-supported degree scholarships that route you through a university, the host university’s IELTS policy governs.
Comparison table — WHO fellowship & scholarship routes (quick reference)
| Programme type | Typical target | Length | Funding style | Monthly stipend? | IELTS required? | Where to find/apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHO Regional Fellowships (e.g., AFRO PHEM fellowship) | MSc/PhD students, public health managers | Weeks–months (3–12 months) | Tuition fees + research support; sometimes per diems | Often yes (allowances or tuition coverage) | Usually not mandatory (professional placement); MOI or experience accepted | Regional WHO office pages (AFRO/EMRO) and event announcements. |
| WHO Incentive Grants (Young Researchers, NCD Platform) | Graduate students in LMICs | Project ≤12 months | Project grant (fixed amount for project) | Usually project payments (not fixed monthly salary) | Not typically required | WHO news/calls for proposals (WHO Global NCD Platform). |
| TDR postgraduate scholarships & fellowships | Postgraduate (MSc/PhD) and clinical research fellows | 1–3 years (degree) or 6–12 months (fellowships) | Tuition + training + sometimes living allowance | Sometimes (depends on host/university) | Host university rules (TOEFL/IELTS or MOI) | TDR grants portal / eTDR calls. |
| PAHO/WHO Fellowships (Americas model) | Health practitioners in Americas | Country-based training or placements | Country/regional funding; stipends vary | Varies by call | Not usually required for short fellowships | PAHO / WHO regional fellowship program pages. |
| WHO Academy internships & short courses | Students & professionals | Weeks–months | Stipends uncommon; travel bursary may be provided | Rare (usually travel or course fee support) |
Note: The table shows general patterns — always open the specific call’s “how to apply” and “what is funded” sections before you plan.
Step-by-step guide — how to find, qualify and apply (beginner’s roadmap)
Below is a practical application roadmap you can follow. I assume you’re aiming at 2025 intake/calls.
Step 0 — Set your goal (Today)
-
Decide what you want WHO to fund: a short fellowship (skills, placement), a research grant (6–12 months), or postgraduate support (MSc/PhD via partner university).
-
Shortlist 2–3 priority problem areas (e.g., NCD implementation, epidemiology, vaccine delivery, health systems).
Step 1 — Scan WHO & partner call pages (Week 1)
-
Bookmark the WHO newsroom/calls and your regional WHO office pages (AFRO, SEARO, EMRO, WPRO, PAHO). Many calls are announced there. Example: the WHO Global NCD Platform call for incentive grants (2024/25).
Step 2 — Align your project and supervisor (Weeks 1–4)
-
If applying for a research grant or postgraduate scholarship, prepare a short research summary (1 page) and identify a local supervisor or collaborating institution (university, research institute or ministry). WHO often prioritises projects embedded in LMIC institutions.
Step 3 — Gather documents (Weeks 2–6)
-
Transcripts, degree certificates, CV (two pages), two referees, ethics approvals (where applicable), and a Medium-of-Instruction letter if your degree was in English and you want to avoid IELTS for downstream university admission. For WHO fellowships, emphasize professional experience and references from your Ministry of Health or employer.
Step 4 — Draft a strong project narrative (1–2 weeks)
-
For grant calls: create a 1-page problem statement, 500–800 word methods/plan, and a basic budget. WHO calls often have strict templates and word limits — follow them exactly.
Step 5 — Submit applications & register with e-portals (1–2 days)
-
Many WHO grants centralise applications through specific portals (eTDR for TDR, WHO news call submission links for NCD grants). Upload all documents and check deadlines twice.
Step 6 — Prepare for interviews & negotiation (2–6 weeks after submission)
-
If shortlisted, be ready to discuss project feasibility, your supervision plan, and budget lines. WHO panels ask pragmatic questions about implementation and capacity building.
Step 7 — Accept, plan logistics & manage funds
-
If awarded, read disbursement schedules carefully. For fellowships, ensure you understand whether the fellowship is managed by WHO, the host institution, or your ministry — this affects stipend timing and taxation.
Real-world examples — anonymized, realistic scenarios
These short case studies show typical pathways for candidates in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Example 1 — International student (India) — TDR postgraduate scholarship route
-
Profile: Final-year MSc candidate in public health, working on implementation research for malaria treatment.
-
Approach: Applied to a TDR-supported postgraduate scheme at a partnering university; TDR provided tuition coverage and a small living stipend administered via the university. The candidate combined this with a small WHO incentive grant to fund fieldwork.
Example 2 — Educator (Nigeria) — WHO AFRO fellowship blended training
-
Profile: Senior lecturer in community health wanting leadership skills for emergency response.
-
Approach: Selected for the WHO/AFRO Fellowship Programme on Public Health Emergencies; the programme covered tuition for short courses, provided per diems during placements and involved mentorship from WHO country offices. The educator used the fellowship to design a training module later adopted by a local Ministry of Health.
Example 3 — Parent (Jordan) — professional clinician seeking short WHO Academy training
-
Profile: A paediatrician balancing family responsibilities and professional development.
-
Approach: Applied for a WHO Academy short technical course and requested a travel bursary; since it was a short course, IELTS wasn’t relevant and selection focused on job role and employer nomination. The clinician used the training to introduce WHO-aligned clinical protocols at the hospital.
Each case shows different funding shapes: degree support + stipends (TDR), regional fellowship allowances (AFRO), and short course bursaries (WHO Academy). Your plan should match the funding shape you need.
Your Statement of Purpose — a simple, strong structure (for WHO research/grant applications)
WHO calls and partner scholarships generally want practical, impact-focused narratives. Use this 5-part structure (≈600–900 words):
-
Opening summary (1–2 sentences): Who you are, your role, and the title of the project/fellowship.
Example: “I am Dr. Amina [surname], a pediatrician and clinical researcher at [University Hospital], and I propose an implementation research study to improve integrated management of childhood pneumonia in [country].” -
Problem and evidence (1 paragraph): Briefly describe the health problem and cite local data if possible. Explain why it matters to national policy.
-
Objectives and methods (2–3 short paragraphs): State 2–3 clear objectives and outline methods, data sources, sample sizes, and timeline (6–12 months). WHO reviewers prioritise feasible, measurable plans.
-
Capacity & supervision (1 paragraph): Explain local supervisory arrangements, ethical approvals, and institutional support (a letter from your university or MOH is persuasive).
-
Impact & sustainability (1 paragraph): Describe expected outputs (policy brief, implementation toolkit, capacity-building workshop), how results will be used by Ministry partners, and any scale-up plans.
Tip: Keep language crisp, avoid jargon, and attach a 1-page Gantt timeline if allowed.
Common mistakes — and how to avoid them
-
Mistake: Treating WHO grants like university scholarships.
Fix: WHO calls are often project/grant oriented. Emphasize feasibility, supervision, and national impact — not only academic merit. -
Mistake: Missing the “What is funded” fine print.
Fix: Confirm whether awards pay tuition only, project costs only, or living stipends too. Ask the program coordinator in writing if unclear. -
Mistake: Assuming IELTS is mandatory.
Fix: For fellowship and grant routes, supply strong professional references, an MOI letter if you studied in English, and a supervisor endorsement. This frequently replaces formal tests. -
Mistake: Weak institutional letters.
Fix: Secure a short, signed letter from your university department or Ministry of Health confirming support (time release, supervision, infra). That often makes the difference.
FAQs (concise but useful)
Q: Does WHO give full scholarships for medical degrees (MBBS/MD)?
A: Not typically in a centralized way. WHO more commonly funds fellowships, internships, research grants and postgraduate training (often via partner universities). Degree scholarships are usually administered by universities or national governments; WHO may co-fund or provide complementary grants.
Q: Can I get a monthly stipend from a WHO award?
A: Yes — many fellowships and TDR postgraduate schemes include living allowances or per diems, but amounts and frequency vary by program and region. Always check the program’s “what is funded” section.
Q: Do WHO fellowships require IELTS?
A: In most fellowship and grant cases, no — selection focuses on technical competence and supervision. If the award places you into a degree program, the host university sets English test rules. You can often substitute a Medium-of-Instruction letter or professional evidence of English.
Q: Where should I look for WHO calls?
A: Start with WHO’s central newsroom / calls page and your regional WHO office (AFRO, SEARO, EMRO, WPRO, PAHO). For rigorous research grants, check TDR (WHO) calls and the WHO Global NCD Platform pages.
Q: How competitive are these awards versus university scholarships?
A: They are competitive, but often have different selection pools (LMIC focus, professional background). That can make you more competitive if your project aligns with national priorities.
One practical checklist to start this week
-
Identify one WHO program match (regional fellowship, TDR scholarship or WHO NCD incentive grant).
-
Request an MOI letter from your university registrar if your degree used English.
-
Draft a 1-page project summary and a separate 200-word impact paragraph.
-
Ask two referees (one academic, one employer/MOH) and provide them your briefing packet.
-
Register on the relevant submission portal (eTDR, regional WHO call link) and note deadlines.
Two official WHO links to bookmark now
-
WHO call: Implementation research on integrated care pathways — Incentive grants for young researchers (WHO Global NCD Platform) — useful example of a 2025 WHO call targeting LMIC graduate researchers.
(Bookmark this call if you do NCD or mental health implementation research.) -
WHO AFRO Fellowship Programme on Public Health Emergencies in Africa — an example of a regional WHO fellowship that explicitly provided tuition and research fee support to selected fellows.
I embedded these two links because they are authoritative, current examples of how WHO funds training and research relevant to medical students and early-career health professionals in Africa and elsewhere.
Conclusion — recap, call to action and an encouraging quote
Recap:
-
WHO in 2025 offers fellowships, incentive grants and training programmes that can be effectively used to fund medical training, research and capacity building. These programmes often prioritise LMIC candidates, can include tuition and living support, and — because many are professional placements — do not always require IELTS.
Call to action:
-
Decide whether you want a short fellowship, a research grant, or postgraduate support via a partner university.
-
Get your MOI letter and references ready this week.
-
Draft a short, realistic project plan (1 page) and submit it the next time a relevant WHO/TDR call opens.
“Funding doesn’t create impact on its own — well-chosen projects, strong supervision and national partnerships turn funding into health gains.” — start small, design for impact, and let WHO’s partner programmes help you scale.
supb3m