Wednesday, April 10, 2002

WILMINGTON – Applications for 2003-04 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships are now available from the Rotary Club of Wilmington.

The scholarships, which are designed to further international understanding and goodwill, provide for study abroad in more than 160 countries where Rotary clubs are located and some non-Rotary countries such as China and Vietnam. Some 1,200 scholarships of various types will be available from clubs worldwide.

During their studies abroad, Rotary Foundation Scholars act as “ambassadors of goodwill.” Through appearances before Rotary clubs and districts, schools, civic organizations, and other forums, the scholars represent their homelands and work to further international understanding.

Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are for one academic year abroad and provide funding for roundtrip transportation, tuition and fees, room, board, some educational supplies, and language training (if necessary) up to a maximum award of US$25,000 or its equivalent.

Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are flat grants of US$12,000 per year for two years toward the cost of a degree program in another country. Also available are Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships which provide funding for three or six months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in another country, including transportation, tuition, and homestay expenses, up to a maximum of US$12,000 and US$19,000 respectively.

For more information and an application, please contact Mimi Cunningham at 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC, 28403-5993 or (910) 962-3171 (phone) or (910) 962-3847 (fax) or cunninghamm@uncwil.edu. The scholarship application is due to Mrs. Cunningham by May 1, 2002. Interested students may also want to consult the Rotary Web site at www.rotary.org/newsandinfo/downloadcenter/pdfs/139en.pdf where the application may be downloaded in English.

The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world’s largest privately sponsored international scholarship program. Focused on humanitarian service, personal diplomacy, and academic excellence, the program has sponsored more than 30,000 Rotary Scholars abroad since it began in 1947.

The schedule of events for the Ambassadorial Scholarship process is as follows:

May 1, 2002 Applications due to local Rotary Clubs

June 1, 2002 Applications forwarded to District 7730 Scholarship Committee

July 20, 2002 Interviews of Candidates

August 2002 Recommendations to District Governor