Deadline: varies according to your local Rotary Club
Open to: applicants with at least 2 years of university or college course work completed, or with a secondary school education being employed in a recognized vocation for at least two years
Grant: a flat grant of US $27,000 for academic year
Rotary Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships
The Ambassadorial Scholarships program supports the vision of The Rotary Foundation to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by:
- Increasing awareness of and respect for cultural differences by sending ambassadors of goodwill to study in another country
- Instilling in scholars the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self through active participation in Rotary service projects
- Encouraging scholars to dedicate their personal and professional lives to improving the quality of life for the people of their home communities and countries
- Developing leaders who can address the humanitarian needs of the world communit
- Impacting all areas of the world through a balanced geographical distribution of scholars
- Encouraging Rotarians worldwide to increase the educational opportunities for scholars from low-income countries
- Fostering a lifelong association between Rotary and its scholars
During the study period, scholars are expected to be outstanding ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country through appearances before Rotary clubs and districts, schools, civic organizations, and other forums. After study has been completed, scholars share their experiences with the people of their home countries and Rotarians who sponsored their scholarships.
Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for one regular academic year (usually nine months) of full-time study at an institution assigned by The Rotary Foundation. Because the scholarship is limited to one academic year, recipients may not be able to earn degrees or diplomas during the study period. The scholarship may also be used for vocational training.
What does the scholarship cover?
The Academic-Year Scholarship provides a flat grant of US$27,000. Funding is intended to defray costs associated with round-trip transportation, one month of intensive language training (if assigned by the Foundation), required fees for a normal course load, room and board, and educational supplies. The Foundation will not pay additional costs resulting from personal living preferences. Applicants who request and are assigned to an institution where costs exceed the flat grant amount must pay all additional costs.
Eligibility
Applicants must have completed at least two years of university or college course work, or must have a secondary school education and have been employed in a recognized vocation for at least two years when the scholarship begins. All applicants must be citizens of a country in which there is a Rotary club. Applicants must initially apply through a Rotary club located in the area of their legal or permanent residence, or place of full-time study or employment. Persons with disabilities and members of Rotaract clubs are eligible and encouraged to apply.
The following persons are ineligible for a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship:
A Rotarian; an honorary Rotarian; an employee of a club, district, or other Rotary entity or of Rotary International; a spouse, lineal descendant (child or grandchild by blood or adopted or not adopted), a spouse of a lineal descendant, or an ancestor (parent or grandparent) of any living person in the foregoing categories.
Application Process
Interested applicants must apply for Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships through their local Rotary club. Before completing the application, contact your local Rotary club to make sure that the district participates in this program. Because timelines vary, only your local club can provide specific information about application deadlines. For 2012-13 awards, club deadlines may be as early as 1 March 2011 or as late as 15 August 2011. Remember that availability varies by Rotary district. If your local district is not offering scholarships at this time, try inquiring next year.
Download the Ambassadorial Scholarships application form (PDF) (Word).
Contact: contact.center@rotary.org