Ambassadorial Scholars

“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. Through grants totaling over US$24 million, recipients from some 65 countries will study in more than 50 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.

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 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.

Terms of the Scholarship

The Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship that provides funding for one academic year (usually nine months) of full time study in another country at an institution assigned by the Rotary Foundation Trustees.

Scholarships are supported by local Rotarian contributions to The Rotary Foundation and are funded by available District Designated Funds. As a result, the number of scholarships available in any Rotary year is limited. Prospective scholars must apply through a local Rotary club.

Applicants must have completed at least two years of university or college work, or must have a secondary school education and have been employed in a recognized vocation for at least two years. Applicants must apply through a Rotary club at a location of their legal or permanent residence, or place of full time employment or study.

The following persons are ineligible: A Rotarian; an employee of a club, or Rotary entity, etc.; a spouse, lineal descendant (child or grandchild by blood or adopted or not adopted), a spouse of a lineal descendant, or ancestor (parent or grandparent) of any living person in the foregoing categories.

Although the applicant makes choices of where he or she wants to study, the final assignment rests with the Rotary Foundation Trustees.

The candidates are expected to be proficient in the language of the host country.

The grant is intended to defray costs of travel, one-month of intensive language study if assigned, required fees for courses, room and board and educational supplies (No costs for personal expenses & usually costs more).

Ambassadorial Scholars were awarded a flat grant of US $26,000 for the 2011-2012 year.

The Application Process

The selection process for the 2011-2012 academic year is closed. New applications for the 2012-2013 Academic Year will be released by The Rotary Foundation in November/December 2010.

January to April 2011

Applicant begins preparing application and participating with local Rotary Club for its evaluation and endorsement of the applicant.

May 1, 2011

All fully-completed applications are due to the District Ambassadorial Scholarship Chairman, Bob Hathaway.

Early June (Usually the first weekend)

A reception is held for applicants’ parents and sponsors (Friday Evening). Interviews of applicants are conducted the following day (Sat.), and recommendation of Candidates for Scholarships is made to District Governor, followed by submission to The Rotary Foundation for final selection.

September to December 2011

All scholarship applicants will receive notification of their study institution assignments (as long as their applications were submitted by the District deadline).

February 2012

Scholarship recipients will receive a packet of information from the Foundation. This material outlines the steps they’re required to complete in preparation for their term.