The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program is
Ambassadorial Scholarships, established in 1947. Since that time,
more than 30,000 men and women from 100 nations have
studied abroad under its auspices. Today, the Ambassadorial
Scholarships Program of The Rotary Foundation is the world's
largest privately-funded international scholarships program. An average of 1,000 scholarships
are awarded annually.
Through grants totaling approximately US$26 million, recipients
from some 69-70 countries travel abroad to study in other countries.
Governor Jerry McClanahan and Foundation Chairman Todd Lindley
present 2001-2002 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Jon Mark Milde from
Jackson, Missouri a certificate recognizing Milde as a Rotary
Scholar.
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The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships Program is to
further international understanding and friendly relations among
people of different countries. Today, the program sponsors
several types of scholarships for both undergraduate and
graduate students, as well as qualified professionals pursuing
vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors
of goodwill to the people of the host country and give
presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other
groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with local Rotarians
and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of
their host countries.
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Kaziyoshi Yoshinaga is welcomed to District 6060 by
District Governor Bill Schuck, Ambassadorial Scholar Committee Chair
Pam Tanner, and District Governor Elect Jerry McClanahan. Kaz
will be studying in District 6060 for two years after receiving an
Ambassadorial Scholarship from his home Rotary District 2780 in
Japan.
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A benefit not found in other scholarship programs is the scholar's
association with Rotary clubs and Rotarians. Each scholar is
assigned both a sponsor and a host Rotarian counselor who
provide orientation, advice and assistance.
Many former scholars serve important posts with their
governments; others are highly respected in their fields. Examples
of outstanding Rotary alumni include: Bill Moyers, a prominent
U.S. journalist, Sadako Ogata, U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees, Paul Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve
Board, Carlos Alberto Da Mota Pinto, former Prime Minister of
Portugal, Otto Borch, Danish Ambassador to the U.S., and
Roger Ebert, a popular U.S. film critic.
Scholarship availability is determined by local Rotarian
contributions to The Rotary Foundation. At this time District 6060 usually offers one
Ambassadorial Scholarship each Rotary year. This might vary
as donations to The Rotary Foundation from within the district varies.
Prospective scholars must apply through a local Rotary club. It is important to consider that an interested
student can apply through a Rotary club local to their home or local to their
current college or university. For example, a student from Georgia studying
in Missouri can apply through a Rotary club near the student's home in Georgia, or
through a Rotary club near the student's college in Missouri.
Types of Scholarships
Ambassadorial Scholarships
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Academic Year - provide funding
for one academic year of study in another country. This award is
intended to help cover round-trip transportation, tuition, fees,
room and board expenses, and some educational supplies up to
US$23,000 or its equivalent. The most common type of
scholarship offered, more than 1,000 Academic-Year
Scholarships were awarded for study in last year throughout the Rotary world. District 6060 usually awards
one Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships each year. |
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Multi-year - same funding limits, but divided over two or
three academic years. |
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Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships are for
either three or six months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in
another country and provide funds to cover round-trip transportation, language
training expenses, and home-stay living arrangements, up to US$12,000 and
US$18,000 respectively. Applications are considered for candidates interested in
studying Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Swedish.
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Peace Fellow Scholarships
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The Rotary Centers for International Studies Peace Fellowship
program began in 2002 at 6 Rotary Centers organized around the world. Every
Rotary district in the world can nominate one candidate for this program.
Interviews will be held and a maximum of 60 scholars might be selected to
begin the two year program each year. District 6060 hopes to nominate one
good candidate for this program each year. Most Peace Fellows earn a
Master's Degree or Certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution. Each of
the six Peace Studies Centers has a slightly different focus in their
programs. |
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Peace & Conflict Studies Program - located at Chulalongkorn
University, Bangkok, Thailand - an intensive three month program,
established to provide professionals from around the world the
opportunity to be trained in conflict resolution and mediation
strategies. |
Scholarship Timetable
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November 2007
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applications available
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March 31, 2008
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complete applications must be submitted to local Rotary club
for their endorsement.
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April 30, 2008
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Club-endorsed, complete applications must reach District
Scholarship Chair Dr. Pam Tanner
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June 7, 2008
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Interview all scholarship applicants
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July 1, 2009
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First possible date for selected candidate to begin study.
That's right, study may not begin until after July 1 of the year following
selection.
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There is a lot of information about these scholarship programs on
the Rotary
International web site.
Also, you may download a leaflet
describing the application process below:
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