Ambassadorial Scholarship

"For me the Rotary Scholarship is much more than being given an opportunity to study abroad; it is a chance to explore, reflect, critically examine and arrive at decisions on how I can best be of service to myself, my community and my country." Adwoa K. Buahene, Academic-Year Scholar, (Nova Scotia, Canada, to France)

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. More than 1,200 scholarships were awarded for study in 2000-01. Through grants totaling approximately US$26 million, recipients from some 69 countries will study in more than 64 different nations.

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 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.

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 U.S. 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. As a result, not all Rotary clubs will offer scholarships. Prospective scholars must apply through a local Rotary club.

Types of Scholarships
Currently, three types of scholarships are offered:

• Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships 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$25,000 or its equivalent. Academic-Year Scholarships are the most common type of scholarship offered; nearly 1,000 were awarded for study in 2000-01.
• Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are for either two or three years of degree-oriented study in another country. A flat grant of US$12,000 or its equivalent is provided per year to be applied toward the costs of a degree program. Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are offered mainly by Rotary districts in Japan and Korea; 150 were awarded for study in 2000-01.
• 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 homestay living arrangements, up to US$12,000 and US$19,000 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.

Some Rotary districts may only offer one type of scholarship (or none at all); applicants must check with the local club regarding
availability.

Terms of Scholarships

• Study or training must be undertaken in another country or territory in which there are Rotary clubs but not in the sponsoring Rotary country or district.
• Although applicants are asked to list their preferred study locations, The Rotary Foundation Trustees reserve the right to make assignments to any suitable institution to ensure the widest possible geographical distribution of scholars. Candidates must be flexible in their study institution assignments.
• Scholars will not be assigned to study in a city, state, or province where they have previously lived or studied for more than six months. As a result, the scholarships are not appropriate for foreign students seeking to continue studies at a given university.
• Each scholar is responsible for applying directly to the assigned study institution, gaining admission, obtaining required visas, and making travel arrangements. The scholarship may not be used in conjunction with a study-abroad program affiliated with a home country institution.
• Scholars must locate funds to cover all expenses that are not specifically funded by their scholarships or for which their scholarships are not sufficient. Scholarships will not be increased to cover spouses, dependents, or anyone other than the scholar.
• Scholars may receive additional funding from other sources during the scholarship period; however, The Rotary Foundation will not duplicate funds provided by other sources.
• Depending on tax laws in the home and host countries, the scholarships may be taxable in part or in full. It is the scholar's responsibility to investigate tax regulations as they pertain to scholarship funding.
• Academic-Year and Multi-Year Scholarships may be used for almost any field of study but cannot be used for unsupervised research, medical internships or residencies, or for employment. Scholars planning to pursue medical studies will not be permitted to engage in hands-on procedures or direct-care patient services during the scholarship period.
• Academic-Year and Multi-Year Scholarship applicants whose native language is not that of their proposed study countries must submit evidence of ability to read, write, and speak the language(s) of those countries. Academic-Year Scholarship candidates
  must also pass a language proficiency examination determined by the Foundation.