St Ives Rotary - Educational Programs - Ambassadorial Scholars

The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program, was founded in 1947. Since then, nearly 38,000 men and women from about 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program. Nearly 800 scholarships were awarded for study in 2005-06. Through grants totaling approximately US$500 million, recipients from about 70 countries studied in more than 70 nations.

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.

Generous contributions from Rotarians worldwide represent a continued faith that today's Ambassadorial Scholars will be tomorrow's community and world leaders.

How to apply

Interested applicants must apply for Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships through their local Rotary club. Because timelines vary, only your local club can provide specific information about application deadlines. For 2009-10 awards, club deadlines may be as early as 1 March 2008 or as late as 15 August 2008. Remember that availability varies by Rotary district. If your local district is not offering scholarships at this time, try inquiring next year.

Use the Club Locator to find contact information for Rotary clubs. If your hometown does not have a Rotary club, try entering the names of nearby cities. You can also consult a local telephone directory.