Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships

Academic Year 2009 - 2010

$24,000 awarded for one academic year of study abroad

ó Increasing awareness of and respect for cultural differences by sending ambassadors of goodwill to study in another country

ó Instilling in scholars the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self through active participation in Rotary service projects

ó Encouraging scholars to dedicate their personal and professional lives to improving the quality of life for the people of their home communities and countries

ó Developing leaders who can address the humanitarian needs of the world community

ó Impacting all areas of the world through a balanced geographi­cal distribution of scholars

ó Encouraging Rotarians worldwide to increase the educational opportunities for scholars from low-income countries

ó 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.

ROTARIAN COUNSELORS

A unique benefit of Rotary Scholarships is the scholar’s associa­tion with Rotary clubs and

Rotarians. Each scholar is assigned a sponsor and host Rotarian counselor who provide orientation and advice in preparing for and completing a successful study period in another country.

GENERAL 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 any 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), a spouse of a lineal descendant, or an ancestor (parent or grandparent) of any living person in the foregoing categories.

Rotary District 5280 awards the Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship.

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 Trustees. 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. Since candidates are expected to be proficient in the language of the host country, generally this scholarship is not appropriate for study of a foreign language.

What does the scholarship cover?

The Academic-Year Scholarship provides a flat grant of US$24,000. 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, reasonable room and board, and some educational supplies. The Foundation will not pay additional costs resulting from personal living preferences. Refer to the RI Web site, http://www.rotary.org, to confirm the award amount for a specific program year. Applicants who request and are assigned to an institution where costs exceed the flat grant amount must pay all additional costs.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The availability of Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships is determined by each Rotary district and varies from year to year. Some districts may not offer scholarships or may offer only one type of scholarship. Applicants must contact a local Rotary club to:
1) determine if funding for the desired scholarship is available;
2) inquire about local application deadlines; and 3) obtain applica­tion materials. Applications may also be obtained directly from the Foundation or RI Web site at http://www.rotary.org if the applicant has confirmed scholarship availability with the local Rotary club.

Club-endorsed candidates will compete at the district level, and district-endorsed applications will be forwarded to the Foundation for Trustee approval and study institution assignment. The Foundation directly notifies all candidates of approved scholarships and assign­ments. Applications sent directly to the Foundation without club and district endorsements will not be considered.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Applications for Academic Year 2009-2010 must be submitted to the local Rotary Club by 31 March 2008. Applicants approved by The Rotary Foundation Trustees will normally be notified of their study institution assignments by December of the year they apply.

Scholarship information and download of the application and related materials

at Rotary International website:

http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/EducationalPrograms/AmbassadorialScholarships/