The primary purpose of the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships Program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. Ambassadorial Scholarships for 2000-2001 are awarded for study or training beginning after 1 July 2000 in another country where Rotary clubs are located. During the study period, scholars are expected to be outstanding ambassadors of good will to the people of the host country through both informal and formal appearances before Rotary clubs and districts, school and civic organizations, and other forums. After study has been completed, scholars share their experiences with the people of their home countries and with the local Rotarians who sponsored their scholarship.
This award is intended to help cover round-trip transportation, one month of intensive language training (if assigned by the Foundation), required academic fees for a normal course load, reasonable room and board expenses, and some educational supplies. The Foundation will not pay additional costs resulting from personal living preferences. Generally, awards will range between US$ 11,000 and US$ 23,000 depending upon actual costs at the assigned study institution, with no award to exceed US$ 23,000 or its equivalent. Applicants who request and are assigned to an institution where costs exceed US$ 23,000 must pay all additional costs.
Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship is for either two or three years (depending on which is available through the sponsoring district) of degree-oriented study at an institution assigned by The Rotary Foundation Trustees.The scholarship may be used for almost any field of study as long as the scholar is enrolled in a specific university degree program and takes course work which relates directly to the completion of one degree.
The Multi-Year Scholarship provides a flat grant of US$ 11,000 or its equivalent for each year; that is US$ 22,000 for two years, or US$ 33,000 for three years. Funding is intended to help supplement the costs of pursuing one degree at one study institution.
Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship is for either three or six months (depending on which is available through the sponsoring district) of intensive language training and cultural immersion at a study institution assigned by The Rotary Foundation Trustees. The three month scholarship is most appropriate for studying a foreign language in which the applicant may already be somewhat proficient. The six-month scholarship may be more appropriate for studying a language that presents a unique challenge to the applicant.
Applications will be considered for candidates interested in studying Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Swedish.
In addition to meeting the general eligibility requirements, applicants are expected to have completed at least one year of college-level course work or its equivalent of the proposed language of study.
Funding is provided to cover round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for language training, and homestay expenses. Scholars will stay with local families when possible and appropriate. Funding will not exceed US$ 10,000 or its equivalent for a three-month scholarship or US$ 17,000 or its equivalent for a six-month scholarship. Most scholars will receive less than the maximum award amounts based on actual study expenses in the host country.
NOTE: The availability of Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships is determined by each Rotary district and varies from year to year. Applicants must contact their local Rotary clubs to determine:
Applications may also be obtained directly from The Rotary Foundation if the applicant has confirmed with the local Rotary club that the type of Ambassadorial Scholarship he or she wishes to pursue is available.
Club-endorsed candidates will compete at the district level. District-endorsed applications are then forwarded to The Rotary Foundation for Trustee approval and study institution assignment. The Rotary Foundation directly notifies all candidates of approved scholarships and assignments. Applications sent directly to The Rotary Foundation without club and district endorsements will not be considered.
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), a spouse of a lineal descendant, or an ancestor (parent or grandparent) of any living person in the foregoing catagories.
