Scholarship

The Rotary Foundation has a rich history of funding scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study in a wide range of academic fields. Clubs and districts can create their own scholarships and fund them with district grants for any level of studies or with global grants for graduate studies in an area of focus.

At the Club Level

Individual Rotary Clubs can offer scholarships for secondary, undergraduate, or graduate study. Rotary club scholarships are given by individual clubs and are open to anyone except Rotary members and their families.

Individual Clubs can determine whether it will offer such scholarship and prepare relevant application information and eligibility requirements to communicate with prospective applications.

At The Rotary Foundation Level

Rotary clubs can apply to The Rotary Foundation for District and Global grants to support scholarships.
For District grants:
District grants can be used to sponsor secondary school, undergraduate, or graduate students studying any subject, either locally or abroad. The scholarship may cover any length of time, from a six-week language training program to a year or more of university study. Individual Clubs can determine the scope, selection process, and amount, etc. and apply for a District grant for scholarship purposes. District grant’s rules and procedures are applicable.

For Global grants:

Global grants scholarships are for graduate students studying abroad in one of the areas of focus:

1. Peacebuilding and conflict prevention
2. Disease prevention and treatment
3. Water, sanitation, and hygiene
4. Maternal and child health
5. Basic education and literacy
6. Community economic development
7. Environment

Scholarships last from one to four years and can include an entire degree program. Global grant scholarships are funded using cash or District Designated Funds matched by the World Fund.

Please read A Guide to Global Grants for detailed information on planning your project, applying for a grant to fund it, carrying it out, and reporting on your progress and outcome.
https://my.rotary.org/en/take-action/apply-grants/global-grants

Finding the eligible candidates

Global grant scholars plan to pursue a career in an area of focus, and their graduate-level educational goals should support this career interest. Pursuing a career in an area of focus means the scholar has a long-term commitment to measurable, sustainable change. Be sure that a candidate’s previous work or volunteer experience, academic program, and career plans are strongly aligned with one of the areas of focus.

The ideal candidate should possess the following which can be determined through an interview:

• Excellent leadership skills and potential
• A proven record of success in their academic field or vocation
• A commitment to community service
• Well-defined and realistic goals
• Concrete ideas for advancing within their chosen field
• Sincerity about maintaining a lifelong relationship with Rotary after the scholarship period

Once you have nominated a candidate, provide them with a clear timeline and information about the online global grant application process (through the Grant Center). Be certain to manage the candidate’s expectations, keeping in mind that the scholarship will not be awarded until the Foundation approves the grant. Prospective scholars must show proof of admission to the chosen university before the grant will be approved.

Global grant scholars are expected to participate in club or district activities before, during, and after the scholarship.
Global grant scholarships are funded using cash and/or the District Designated Fund, matched by the World Fund. The global grant budget must total at least US$30,000, but a scholarship may be a component of a larger grant application — for example, a scholarship plus a humanitarian project.

• The following people are not eligible for the fellowship:
• Active Rotary members
• Employees of a Rotary club or district, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity
  Spouses, lineal descendants (children or grandchildren by blood or legal adoption), spouses of lineal descendants, or ancestors (parents or grandparents by blood) of any living person in these categories
• Former Rotary members and their relatives as described above (within 36 months of their resignation)

Application for scholarship candidates who will begin studies in August, September, or October must be submitted to the Foundation by 30th June. The rest of the year, global grant scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Submit applications at least three months before the scholarship candidate’s intended departure date to allow adequate for Foundation review and processing.

Rotary District 3450 Timeline for 2024-25 Academic Year for Global Grant

Every year, Districts (including District 3450) must submit endorsed applications to The Rotary Foundation by 1 May.  Please refer to the RI website for detailed information  https://my.rotary.org/en/peace-fellowship-application.  Given the deadline, individual clubs should plan for the 2024-25 application in the first half of 2024-25. 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact TRF Program Sub-committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.