The Rotary Foundation sponsors one of the largest international scholarship programs in the world. Scholars study in a different country, where they serve as unofficial ambassadors of goodwill. Since 1947, more than 47,000 scholars from 110 countries have received scholarships of more than $476 million through The Rotary Foundation.

Types of Scholarships

Currently, three types of scholarships are offered:

Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships provide a flat grant of US$23,000 or its equivalent for one academic year of study in another country. This award is intended to help defray costs associated with round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and some educational supplies. Academic-Year Scholarships are the most common type of scholarship offered.

Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are for two years of degree-oriented study in another country. A flat grant of US$11,500 or its equivalent is provided per year to be applied toward the costs of a degree program.

Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships are for either three or six months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in another country and provide a flat grant of US$10,000 or its equivalent or US$15,000 or its equivalent to defray costs associated with round-trip transportation, language training expenses, and homestay living arrangements. Applications are considered for candidates interested in studying Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Swedish.

Some Rotary districts may only offer one type of scholarship (or none at all); applicants must check with the local club regarding availability.

Ambassadorial Scholarship/Grant Availability

Scholarship/Grant availability depends on your district's contributions to The Rotary Foundation and which programs your district leadership chooses to support with available funds. Under the SHARE system, all district general contributions to the Annual Programs Fund are totaled at the end of the year and then divided into two funds, with 50 percent being credited to the District Designated Fund and 50 percent to the World Fund. The World Fund is used by The Rotary Foundation to underwrite many of its programs, such as 3-H Grants, Matching Grants, and Group Study Exchange, among others, while the District Designated Fund (DDF) may be used at the district's discretion to participate in other Foundation programs such as Ambassadorial Scholarships or Rotary Grants for University Teachers.

In order to sponsor a scholar or university teacher for a given year, the district must have sufficient funding for the program year during which the scholar or teacher will go abroad. The amounts required to sponsor each type of scholarship/grant for program year 2008-09 are as follows:

• Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship: US$23,000
• Two-year Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship: US$23,000
• Three-month Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship: US$10,000
• Six-month Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship: US$15,000
• Three to five month Rotary Grant for University Teacher: US$12,500
• Six to ten month Rotary Grant for University Teacher: US$22,500

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