Receiving a Rotary international scholarship can provide the necessary financial support to further your education. This program, initiated by the Rotary Foundation aims to assist students enrolled in a program at any of their partner universities.
Whether you are participating in career development programs or pursuing relevant degrees in various fields, financial assistance is important. Moreover, securing a rotary scholarship helps you achieve your goals without accumulating debt.
If you are considering pursuing higher education outside your home country, it’s important to explore available scholarship programs. Through this article, you will understand the essence of the Rotary scholarship and its application process.
Overview of Rotary International Scholarship
Rotary International Scholarship is an initiative of the Rotary Foundation founded in 1905. As an organization dedicated to promoting peace and understanding across cultures, it offers support to students from different backgrounds.
Beneficiaries of this scholarship can travel abroad for study and research purposes. Essentially, the organizers hope to encourage global education and the personal development of talents.
They are particularly interested in offering scholarships for research visits focusing on peacebuilding, community development, and disease prevention. Also, the Rotary Foundation values applicants who show interest in creating lasting change in their communities.
Candidates who scale the application process will officially become Rotary scholars. Aside from giving you access to financial aid, you get more opportunities to make a positive impact in the world.
Types of Rotary International Scholarships
The Rotary Foundation provides funding through different programs. That said, interested students will need to understand each opportunity and its specific purposes.
Ambassadorial scholarships
Established in 1947, the Ambassadorial scholarship is the most popular funding program under the Rotary Foundation. It provides sponsorship for one academic year at most.
As a short-term scholarship, it may not cover tuition for an entire degree program. This means it’s only suitable for short certificate courses, not undergraduate degree programs.
Rotary peace fellowships
The Rotary International Scholarship Peace Fellowships are specifically for students interested in peace and conflict resolution. In other words, candidates who have engaged in community service and committed to international conflicts will be considered.
This means your academic performance, along with your achievements, will determine your eligibility for this scholarship. Under this scholarship, they can pursue professional development certificates or master’s degrees in any accredited university around the world.
Also Read: Apply for Gates Scholarship 2024
District Grant scholarship
This program covers both graduate and undergraduate programs for both local and foreign students. However, they can only be accessed through local rotary districts.
The value of this award varies depending on each district’s resources. As a merit-based scholarship, it prioritizes applicants with excellent academic records
Global Grant scholarships
This funding opportunity is perfect for aspiring leaders seeking to develop their skills. Rotary’s ideal applicants must intend to research in any of the foundation’s six areas of focus.
Simply put, you can apply if you intend to research:
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Maternal and child health
- Conflict prevention/resolution
- Basic education and literacy or
- Economic and community development.
The duration of this scholarship can last from one to four years depending on the chosen program.
How to apply for the Rotary International scholarship
It is important to note that the Rotary international scholarship application process is not a walk in the park; this means you have to pay extra attention to details. To begin with, visit the official Rotary scholarship website to discover the funding opportunities available. Ensure you focus only on scholarships that align with your purpose.
For the next step, you need to contact your local Rotary Club for endorsement. There’s a rotary club locator on the website to ease your search.
While submitting your application form, ensure you attach your academic and professional certificates. You’ll also need to attach your motivation letter, recommendation letter, resume, or CV.
