Rotary Scholarships
Rotary International offers a number of scholarships worldwide for periods of 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.
Ambassadorial Mission
The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarship is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. Scholars studying abroad serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands, studies, and projects. Upon returning home, they share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries.
General Scholarship Statistics
Since 1947, more than 30,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad thanks to Rotary. Today, the Ambassadorial Scholarship program is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program. More than 1,100 scholarships were awarded for study in 2002-03. Grants totaled US$26 million. Recipients from 69 countries studied in more than 64 nations.
Types of Scholarships
There are four types of scholarships. Briefly, they are:
1. Academic-year Ambassadorial Scholarships (academic and investigative)
US$25,000 for one academic year. Can be used for studies or investigative work (proposal required)
2. Peace Scholarship
To pursue a two-year master’s degree or certificate in international relations, peace, and conflict resolution at one of the Rotary Centers for International Studies. Locations: Duke University (NC, USA), Univ. of California – Berkeley (CA, USA),New York, Japan, France, Argentina, England, Australia
3. Faculty Scholarship
To teach in a low-income country. $12,500 for 3-5 months or $22,500 for 6-10 months of service. Must have been a university professor for three or more years
4. Group Study Exchange
A team of business and professional people (4 members of ages 25-40 and one Rotarian leader) for four to six weeks visits farms, schools, industrial plants, professional offices, and government establishments. Funds range from $1,000 to $11,000.
Special Funds for Low-Income Countries
There is also a special funds pool for low-income countries that provides 20 Ambassadorial Scholarships (One-Academic-Year, Multiple-Year, and Cultural) on a world-competitive basis.