Ambassadorial Scholarships – Ambassadors of Goodwill

District 7870 is looking for candidates to apply for the 2011 – 2012 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship. Now is the time to begin the process of having candidates consider and apply for this outstanding opportunity to become ambassadors of goodwill.

Ambassadorial Scholarships, The Rotary Foundation’s oldest and best known program was founded in 1947. Since then nearly 37,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today it is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program.

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas.

The Ambassadorial Scholarships program supports the mission of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International to further world understanding and peace by:

  • Increasing awareness of and respect for cultural differences by sending ambassadors of goodwill to study in another country.
  • Instilling in scholars the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self through active participation in Rotary service projects.
  • Encourage scholars to dedicate their personal and professional lives to improving the quality of life for the people of their home communities and countries.
  • Develop leaders who can address the humanitarian needs of the world community.
  • Impact all areas of the world through a balanced geographical distribution of scholars.
  • Encouraging Rotarians worldwide to increase the educational opportunities for scholars from low-income countries.
  • Fostering a lifelong association between Rotary and its scholars.

Candidates should consider these program objectives carefully before applying and be prepared to explain in their essays and during the interview process how their study plans will support the objectives. Scholars are encouraged to request to study in countries that host relatively few scholars, such as Japan, Korea, Scandinavia, and developing nations in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Other ways of demonstrating support of the objectives include a commitment to community service or international humanitarian service and to long-term involvement with Rotary International.

The Rotary Foundation Trustees encourage Districts to select Ambassadorial scholars whose study fields have a strong humanitarian impact and who request study in countries that do not host many scholars.

Scholars are encouraged to support program objectives by choosing a study field that will address the humanitarian needs of the world community, such as health care, children at risk, concern for the aging, literacy and numeracy, population issues, urban concerns, disabled persons, international understanding and goodwill, poverty and hunger, PolioPlus, or environmental awareness.

Rotary seeks out students who are prepared for the challenge of serving as outstanding ambassadors of goodwill.

If a candidate is chosen to receive an Ambassadorial Scholarship from District 7870, they will be expected to participate in the following activities:

  • Attend any orientation programs organized by the Rotary District or Zone (Northeast Link); failure to attend may result in forfeiture of the award. The orientation will include training on how to develop and make presentations.
  • Before departure, attend meetings of the sponsoring Rotary club and Rotary events in the District, and present at least one talk to a Rotary forum in the sponsoring clubs area.
  • Make yourself available for and encourage media interviews at home and abroad.
  • Maintain full-time academic studies with distinction, giving equal importance to the ambassadorial and academic aspects of the scholarship.
  • Be actively involved with Rotary in your host District, making a specific number of presentations to Rotary and non-Rotary audiences (In the case of the Academic-Year scholarship, present at least 10 to 15 talks per year and attend the District conference.)
  • Submit required reports to The Rotary Foundation describing your academic progress and Rotary activities, including completion of the final report one month before completing your scholarship period.
  • Maintain communication with your sponsor and host Rotarians before, during, and after the study period. Upon completion of your studies, contact your sponsor Rotary club or club in your area of residence to offer to share your ambassadorial experience at Rotary club and District meetings, and participate in Foundation alumni activities. Also, seek out activities of your sponsor club and District.
  • Present at least eight talks to Rotary and non-Rotary audiences after you return home.
  • Register your contact information with Alumni Relations at The Rotary Foundation, keeping your address, telephone number, and e-mail address updated.

General 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 full-time study or employment. 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 descendent (child or grandchild), spouse of a lineal descendent, or an ancestor (parent or guardian) of any living person in the foregoing categories.

Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship:

In the past there were two other types of Ambassadorial Scholarships (Multi-Year and Cultural), Rotary International has suspended these programs for the near future.

This scholarship is for one regular academic year 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 be used for vocational training. Since candidates are expected to be proficient in the language of the host country, generally this scholarship is not appropriate for study of a foreign language.

The Academic-Year Scholarship provides a flat grant of generally US$24,000. Funding is to defray costs associated with round-trip transportation, one month of intensive language training (if assigned by the Foundation), required fees for a normal course load, room and board, and educational supplies. The Foundation will not pay additional costs resulting from personal living preferences. Applicants who request and are assigned to an institution where costs exceed the flat grant amount must pay all additional costs.

Application Procedures:

Additional information and applications may be found at the Rotary International web site at or go to the District 7870 website to get a PDF of the application.

If a Rotarian has additional questions they may contact the 7870 District Chairperson for the Ambassadorial Scholarship:

Donald Bennert

(603) 224-6172 (H)