Projects - Scholarships

The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships. Since 1947, 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. Nearly 800 scholarships were awarded for study in 2005-06. Through grants totaling approximately US$500 million, recipients from some 70 countries studied in more than 70 nations.

Ambassadorial Scholarship Program Objectives

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

• Increasing awareness of and respect for cultural differences
• Instilling in scholars the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self through active participation in Rotary service projects
• Encouraging scholars to dedicate their personal and professional lives to improving the quality of life for the people of their home community and country
• Developing leaders who can address the humanitarian needs of the world community
• Impacting 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

Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships

Our district offers only the Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships, which are for one regular academic year (usually nine months) at a study institution assigned by The Rotary Foundation Trustees. The scholarship may be used for almost any field of study; however, it cannot be used for unsupervised research, medical internship or residency, or for employment on a full-time basis in the host country. Since candidates are expected to be proficient in the host country's language, generally this scholarship is not appropriate for study of a foreign language. Because the scholarship is limited to one academic year, recipients may not be able to earn degrees, certificates, or diplomas during the study period.

Funding is intended 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, reasonable room and board, and some educational supplies. The Foundation will not pay additional costs resulting from personal living preferences. The award provides a flat grant amount of 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.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must apply for Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships through their local Rotary club. In order to apply through the Rotary Club of San Francisco, applicants must be a legal or permanent resident of San Francisco. Please check the Eligibility Criteria  before applying. Because application deadlines vary by club and district, only your local club can provide specific information on deadlines. For 2008-09 awards, our club deadline was May 14, 2007. For 2009-10 awards, our club deadline will be sometime in April 2008. Please contact the Rotary office early next year 2008 for the specific date for the application deadline.  Applications need to be sent to the Rotary Club of San Francisco at 55 New Montgomery Street, Suite 720, San Francisco, CA 94105.  Scholarship application form  for the year 2009-2010 will be available to be downloaded in November 2007. See Information for Applicants for more information.