Ambassadorial Scholarships, the Rotary Foundation’s oldest and best-known program, was founded in 1947. Today it is one of the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships programs.

The purpose of the Academic Year Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors academic year scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies.

The 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.

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 fulltime study or employment.

Any applicant whose native language is not that of the proposed country of study must submit evidence of the ability to read, write, and speak the language of that country. Candidates must also pass a language proficiency exam determined by the Foundation.

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 by blood or adopted or not adopted), a spouse of a lineal descendant, or an ancestor (parent or grandparent) of any living person in the foregoing categories.

Closing Date
Deadline: Mar-Aug 2011

Further scholarship information and application:
http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/EducationalPrograms/AmbassadorialScholarships/Pages/ridefault.aspx