Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Programme

July 30, 2008

AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Ambassadorial Scholarship Programme of the Rotary Foundation is the oldest and best known of all the Foundation’s Programmes. It was started in 1947 following the death of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary and is now the largest privately funded Scholarship Programme in the world with about 800 scholarships being awarded annually to students from over 70 countries.

The aims of the programme are to:

· Increase awareness of cultural differences.

· Instil the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self.

· Encourage scholars to work to improve the quality of life of the less fortunate.

· Develop leaders who can address humanitarian needs worldwide.

· Encourage Rotarians to support scholars from low-income countries.

· Foster a lifelong association between Rotary and its scholars.

Foundation Scholars are attached to a Rotary Club during their period of study. They will be expected to give talks to Clubs during their course and on their return to their home country and will be expected to participate in Rotary activities.

There are three types of scholarship.

Academic Year Scholarships.

These are for students to study full time for one academic year in an institution assigned by the Rotary Foundation Trustees. The institution will be in a foreign country and as students will be expected to be proficient in the language of the host country, these scholarships are not appropriate for the study of a foreign language.

The scholarship provides a flat grant of US$24,000 which covers travel, tuition, accommodation and educational supplies. If necessary, one month of intensive language training will be provided before the start of the course. The scholarship may also be used for one year of vocational training.

Multi-Year Scholarships.

These scholarships are for two years of full-time, degree orientated study at an institution in a foreign country, assigned by the Rotary Foundation Trustees. The scholarship is available for most fields of study. The scholarship provides a flat grant of US$12,000 per year.

Cultural Scholarships.

These scholarships are for three or six months of intensive language training and cultural immersion at a language school selected by the Rotary Foundation Trustees. Students are expected to have completed at least one year of study in the chosen language. The scholarship provides a flat grant of US$11,000 for a three month scholarship and US$16,000 for a six month scholarship. During their course of study, students will stay with local families, where possible.

Eligibility.

Applicants must have completed two years at university or college, or must have a secondary school education and have been employed for two years in a recognised vocation. Initial applications must be made to a Rotary Club near to where the applicant lives, works or studies. Rotarians and their close relatives are ineligible.

Application and Further Information

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