Ambassadorial Scholarships

The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program.  In 1947, 18 “Rotary Fellows” from 11 countries were selected to serve as ambassadors of goodwill while studying in another country for one academic year.  Since that time, approximately US$335 million has been expended on some 30,000 scholarships for people from more than 125 countries, studying in 105 countries around the world.

The purpose of the scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries.  Scholars are expected to be outstanding ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country through both informal and formal appearances before Rotary and non-Rotary groups.  Each scholar is assigned a host Rotarian counselor to facilitate involvement in Rotary and integration into the host culture.

Since 1994-95 The Rotary Foundation has offered two new types of scholarships in addition to the Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships.  The Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship is awarded for two or three years of specific degree-oriented study abroad.  The Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships provides funding for three or six months of intensive language study and culture immersion in another country.

In addition to being an investment in the education of tomorrow’s leaders, Rotary Foundation scholarships create personal links between countries and are an important step toward greater understanding and goodwill in the world.