Ambassadorial and Cultural Scholarships
The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships. Established in 1947, 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. Through annual grants totaling approximately US$26 million, recipients from about 70 countries will study in more than 65 different nations.
The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. 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.
Types of Scholarships
Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships provide funding for one academic year of study in another country. The scholarship covers round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and some educational supplies as a flat grant of US$23,000. (Two year academic scholarships will also be considered for scholars able to pay their own way in the second year) Academic-Year Scholarships are available for 2008-09.
Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships are for three 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, as a flat grant of US$10,000. 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. Three-Month Cultural Scholarships are available for 2008-09.
Application must be made through a local Rotary club. Club endorsed applications are due to the District Scholarship Committee by May 15, 2007. Complete packets of information are mailed to club presidents and assistant governors early in January. For additional information, contact: David G. Moser, 865-637-4161,
dmoser@coulterjustus.com
Key Qualifications of an Ambassadorial or Cultural Scholar
A qualified candidate must:
- Want to study abroad as a representative of Rotary and share their experience with District 6780 Rotary clubs when they return
- Complete an application
- Receive their sponsor clubs formal recommendation
- Not be a direct relative of a Rotarian
- Have at least a B grade average
- Have competed at least two years of college by the time they would depart in Rotary year July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010
We place a special emphasis on the Ambassador in Ambassadorial Scholar. Yes you are expected to be enrolled in a college or university abroad but most importantly you will be representing Rotary and your sponsor club and your country.
| CRITICAL dates |
| June 28, 2008 |
District 6780 Interviews in Knoxville TN |
| by May 31, 2008 |
District Chairperson must receive all applications from the sponsoring club |
| by April 30, 2008 |
Rotary club candidate interviews completed |
| by April 15, 2008 |
Your sponsor club should have all candidates applications in hand |
All NECESSARY information and applications can be obtained directly AT THESE web sites:
Ambassadorial Scholarship Application http://www.rotary.org/services/download/pdfs/139en.pdf
General Information http://www.rotary.org/programs/amb_scho/rotarian/index.htm
Facts about the program http://www.rotary.org/services/download/pdfs/58schlr.pdf
Public relations ideas http://www.rotary.org/services/download/pdfs/259en.pdf
