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About OAS Scholarships

The objective of the Organization of American States (OAS) Program of Scholarships and Training is to assist the member states with their domestic efforts in pursuit of integral development goals by supporting human resource development in the priority areas established by the Summits of the Americas, the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Integral Development of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI), and the OAS General Assembly.The OAS is committed to promoting and supporting capacity development in the Hemisphere by maximizing the number of scholarships awarded with the resources available through the implementation of innovative mechanisms for improving the cost-effectiveness of the Scholarships Program. The OAS is committed to identifying and implementing strategies for increasing access to higher education and to instituting new mechanisms that foster greater responsiveness to the national development priorities of its member countries. To achieve these goals, in the next few years the OAS Scholarship Program will place more scholarship recipients in universities throughout the Western Hemisphere which belong to the OAS consortium of institutions of higher learning or with which the OAS has written agreements for the placement of students. Accordingly, the number of scholarships which will be awarded to individuals who have obtained their own admission to an institution of higher learning will be seriously reduced. Thus, applicants who elect the Self-placed scholarship option only will have less of an opportunity to win an OAS scholarship.

In order to award the greatest number of scholarships, the funds provided by the OAS are intended to serve as a complement to those funds which the scholarship recipient may already be receiving from other sources or to assist the recipient with general costs to make the completion of her/his studies feasible. Applicants who would like to learn about additional scholarship opportunities, please go to http://www.educoas.org/portal/.

Types of Academic Scholarships

I. Academic scholarships: These are OAS-funded scholarships awarded to persons to undertake undergraduate or graduate studies and/or research at a university or higher learning institution in a Member State. Studies may be carried out by on-site or by distance education or a combination of both. The scholarship is awarded for a maximum of two academic years.

A. Graduate scholarships: Are offered for study towards a Master’s or Doctorate degree. They may also be used for research towards a Doctorate degree, if required by a specific academic program. Scholarships are awarded for an initial period of one academic year and may be extended subsequently for up to one additional year if funds remain available and if the extension is necessary to complete the program of study or research for which the scholarship was initially awarded. The OAS does not offer scholarships for studies in the medical sciences.

1. Self-Placed: Of this type, candidates apply directly for admission to the universities or educational institutions of their choice and apply separately to the OAS for scholarships to assist in financing those studies. Consideration for a scholarship is contingent on receipt of proof of admission to the university by the deadline established by the OAS General Secretariat. The total financial award (tuition and benefits) from the OAS may not exceed US$30,000.00 per academic year which includes tuition, benefits, and administrative costs. The number of self-placed scholarships the OAS will award is more limited than OAS-placed scholarships.

2. OAS-Placed: Of this type, candidates do not apply directly for admission to universities or educational institutions. Instead, candidates apply to the OAS only for a scholarship. The OAS seeks admission for those candidates selected for scholarships to recognized and reputable universities or educational institutions determined by the OAS, taking into consideration the preferred countries, language(s), and the intended fields and levels of study stated by the candidates in their applications to the fullest extent practicable. Depending on the individual case, the OAS may negotiate additional resources with these institutions which often results in the scholarship recipient receiving a full scholarship. The total financial award which includes tuition, benefits, and administrative costs may not exceed US$30,000.00 per academic year.

B. Undergraduate Scholarships: Undergraduate scholarships are offered only to candidates from the English-speaking Caribbean member states, for the last two years of study for an undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent). Scholarships are awarded for an initial period of one academic year and may be renewed subsequently for up to one additional year if funds remain available and if the renewal is necessary to complete the program of study or research for which the scholarship was initially awarded. To apply for this classification of scholarship, the student must already be accepted into the university where he/she plans to study for the last two years of the undergraduate degree. The total financial award (tuition and benefits) from the OAS may not exceed US$30,000.00 per academic year which includes tuition, benefits, and administrative costs.

Scholarship Announcement

II. Academic Scholarship Opportunities with the Organization of American States

A. Call for applications for OAS scholarships and/or related research for the 2008/2009 selection process:

In keeping with the Manual of Procedures for the Scholarship and Training Program of the Organization of American States which was approved in April 2007, the OAS Department of Human Development invites applications for OAS scholarships for graduate studies under both the Self-placed mechanism and the OAS-placed mechanism.

This scholarship cycle will operate on the following basis:

1. Within the existing capabilities of the General Secretariat, in the distribution of scholarships by type, at least two-thirds of the Regular Fund available budget for new graduate scholarships for each year shall be allocated to OAS-placed scholarships. This means that no more than one-third of the Regular Fund budget may be used for self-placed scholarships.At least two scholarships for academic studies or research shall be awarded per member state, according priority to less developed countries.No Member State may receive in its universities more than 40% of the total number of scholarship recipients for graduate studies.
2. A maximum limit of US$30,000 is established on the total cost per scholarship per academic year which includes tuition, mandatory fees, books, subsistence allowance (living expenses), health insurance, and administrative costs.

B. Period of placement for 2008-2009: August/September 2008; January 2009, and March/April 2009.

C. Deadlines:

1. For presentation of completed applications and documents to the National Liaison Office (ONE) of each OAS Member State: deadline determined by each Member State’s ONE.
2. For presentation by the ONE of each Member State to the Department of Human Development of the OAS of the pre-selected candidates they will sponsor: Monday, October 15th, 2007.
3. For presentation to the OAS Department of Human Development of completed applications and documents by U.S. citizens or permanent residents who will be sponsored by the U.S.: Monday, October 1st, 2007.

D. Eligibility requirements:

1. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of an OAS member state.
2. Applicants applying to an OAS-placed scholarship must possess the necessary educational background and, if required, professional experience to be accepted into the academic program identified by him/her for placement.
3. Applicants must have the physical capacity to complete the program successfully.
4. Applicants for OAS scholarships must be endorsed by the National Liaison Office (ONE) or its designated equivalent of the sponsoring country (the member state which endorses the application).
5. Applicants must possess the language competency to undertake studies in the country of study. If not already accepted by an academic institution, applicants will be required to provide, where necessary, proof of proficiency in the language of instruction, i.e., a Certificate of Language Proficiency or, for study in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean, a TOEFL score of at least 550677 for the paper-based test, 245/300 for the computer based test, and 98/120 for the internet-based test along with their completed application.
6. Applicants applying to an OAS-placed scholarship may be required to take admission tests, if required by the academic institution they wish to attend, and provide evidence of satisfactory scores on these tests to the OAS within the dates indicated by OAS upon the award of the scholarship. Any and all costs for these tests will be borne by the applicant.
7. The OAS-placed scholarship award will be withdrawn from any candidate for whom, after a reasonable period, admission cannot be gained to a reputable university offering the program and level of studies sought.
8. Scholarship recipients must agree to return to reside in the sponsoring country for a period of no less than twenty-four months after completing of the program of study covered by the scholarship.

E. Evaluation Criteria: Scholarships shall be awarded following these criteria:

1. The objectives and priorities established in the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Integral Development 2006-2009: http://educoas.com/portal/en/oasbecas/strategicp.aspx?culture=en&navid=44
2. The training priorities of the member states;
3. The merits and overall credentials of the applicant, including academic and/or professional experience;
4. A geographic distribution that takes into account the greater needs of smaller and relatively less developed economies.
5. A distribution which seeks to maximize the effectiveness and the impact of the program on the developmental needs of the individual countries and of the Hemisphere; and
6. Potential and commitment of the candidate to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to the development of the sponsoring country.
7. Whether an applicant is willing to be considered for an OAS-placed award in a reputable institution in a country identified by the OAS, taking into consideration the preferred field of study and language capabilities of the applicant.
8. Gender equality and equity as an important element in all partnership-for-development programming.
9. The financial need of the applicant

F. Special Conditions

1. No OAS scholarship may be awarded to an individual for study or research in an institution in the OAS member state which sponsored the individual for an OAS scholarship.
2. OAS scholarships may only be awarded for study or research in an institution in an OAS member state.
3. Current staff members of the OAS, persons holding consultant contracts with the OAS, staff members of the Permanent Missions to the OAS, and their relatives are not eligible for OAS academic scholarships and must wait until six months have elapsed after the termination of their employment relationship or contract before they may apply for an OAS academic scholarship.
4. OAS scholarships shall be granted for up to two academic years. The renewal of an OAS scholarship for the second year shall be subject to the availability of resources, the good academic standing of the scholarship recipient and confirmation from the host institution that this period is necessary to complete the program of study for which the scholarship was initially awarded.
5. A scholarship recipient may not change or interrupt the program of studies for which a scholarship is awarded without the explicit approval of the General Secretariat. In such cases, the total scholarship period shall not exceed two academic years and the OAS General Secretariat shall not fund expenses incurred as a result of the change in or interruption of the program.
6. The OAS publishes on its website the names and nationality of scholarship recipients. An applicant must agree in writing on the scholarship application form to having his/her name published if he or she is awarded an OAS scholarship.
7. Monthly living allowances paid under the OAS Scholarship generally cover approximately 60% of the expenses an OAS Scholarship recipient may incur, for which reason applicants should consider that they shall need to finance the remainder through other scholarships, educational loans, or, with permission from the OAS, part-time work or other sources.
8. The scholarship which will be awarded for the 2008-2009 cycle must be executed in that cycle. There can be no postponement of the award. For that reason, individuals selected for an OAS Scholarship should be prepared to show that they are able to complement the OAS contribution with their own financing and to support themselves for the duration of the scholarship. (NOTE: The OAS may make an exception to this policy if the OAS is unable to place the awardee for those who are selected for an OAS-placed scholarship).
9. Universities identified by applicants for possible placement must be accredited by the country in which they are located.
10. Written letters of recommendations (See Section II. G. of this Announcement) may not be made by relatives of the applicant. Relatives are defined as: spouse, son or daughter, stepson or stepdaughter, father or mother, stepfather or stepmother, brother or sister, half-brother or half-sister, stepbrother or stepsister, father- or mother-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law, and brother- or sister-in-law.

G. Forms, Documents, and Application Procedures

The online application form must be completed on-line and can be accessed at the bottom of this page


All other forms must be completed electronically or in typewritten format.

1. OAS online application form.
2. Once the applicant has completed the form and submitted it, a copy will be sent automatically to his/her e-mail account. This completed form must be printed, signed and submitted to the National Liaison Office (ONE) with two copies.
3. Instructions for downloading and saving the Recommendation and Language Certificate Forms:
   1. Double click to open document
   2. Save the form on your C: drive with the following naming convention: Your Last Name and First Initial, plus form type ( recommendation, recommendation-employer, or language)
   3. Fill out the form electronically or print it. As appropriate, submit the form to the required person or institution as an electronic document for completion electronically or print it and request that it be completed in typewritten format.
4. Submit one (1) original and two (2) hard copies of each completed form and required document (see No. 5 below) as part of the application package to the ONE.
   1. Recommendation Statement Form (2 recommendations, one of which must be from a professor or former professor)
   2. Recommendation Statement Form-Employer (one recommendation from a current or a previous employer. If not currently employed or if you have never been employed, provide a 3rd recommendation using the Recommendation Statement Form)
   3. Certificate of Language Proficiency for OAS Scholarships
5. Required Attached Documents
   1. An official (stamped by the university) copy of the diploma for the highest degree obtained. If you are selected for an OAS-placed scholarship to study in a country where the curriculum is taught in a language other than the one in which you completed your studies, upon announcing of the award DHD will request an official translation of your diploma.
   2. An official (stamped by the university that issued it) transcript of grades obtained for the highest degree completed or a copy of the official transcript of grades stamped by the university that issued it, for the highest degree obtained. If you are selected for an OAS-placed scholarship to study in a country where the curriculum is taught in a language other than the one in which you completed your studies, upon announcing of the award DHD will request an official translation of your transcript.
   3. Current official (stamped by the university that issued it) transcript from academic program in which currently enrolled, if applicable, or a copy of same stamped by the university which issued it. If you are selected for an OAS-placed scholarship to study in a country where the curriculum is taught in a language other than the one in which you completed your studies, upon announcing of the award DHD will request an official translation of your transcript.
   4. Recent medical certificate (issued within the past six months)
   5. Admissions test results, if required by the academic institution

   NOTE: One of the ranking criteria for selection for an OAS scholarship is financial need of the applicant. As such, applicants under serious consideration may be requested to provide information to the National Commission relating to financial need.

6. How to apply

   1. Complete and submit the OAS Application Form on-line. Download, save, and complete electronically or in typewritten format the OAS Scholarship Application Form.
   2. Download, save and forward electronically or print and submit the Recommendation Statement Form (two recommendations are required, one of which must be from a professor or former professor), the Recommendation Form for the current employer or a previous employer or, if you are not currently employed or have never been employed, a third recommendation using the Recommendation Statement Form, and the Certificate of Language Proficiency for OAS Scholarships form if required for the program you are requesting. Ask the individuals filling these forms either to complete them electronically, print and sign and date them or to print the forms, complete them in typewritten format, sign and date them. NOTE: Recommendation letters may not be submitted from relatives of the applicant. (See Section II. F. 10 above for definition of “relative”).
   3. Obtain the official (stamped by the university which issued it) copy of the diploma for the highest degree you have earned, the official (stamped by the university which issued it) transcript of your grades or an official copy of same, and a recent medical certificate (issued within the past 6 months).
   4. Contact your National Liaison Office (ONE) in the OAS country of which you are a national or a permanent resident for the deadlines for submission of all documents and any other information they may require.
   5. Submit to the ONEs the completed documentation listed in 3. a., b. and c. above: one (1) original and two (2) hard copies by the closing date set by the ONE.

H. Selection Process

1. Applicants apply for an OAS scholarship through their sponsoring country National Liaison Office (ONEs).
2. All applications which are complete, received on time, and which meet the eligibility requirements stated in the scholarship announcement are evaluated and ranked by the sponsoring country’s National Commission which is made up of individuals from academia, business, NGO’s and the National Liaison Office. The National Commission recommends a list of pre-selected candidates to the OAS.
3. The ONEs forward the list of pre-selected candidates which it will sponsor to the OAS which reviews them for completeness, deadlines and eligibility requirements.
4. The OAS presents the completed application package of pre-selected candidates to an international committee (the Academic and Technical Studies Scholarship Selection Committee (ATSSSC) chosen by the Secretary General of the OAS. This Committee reviews, evaluates and ranks candidates to recommend for OAS scholarships to the Secretary General of the OAS.
5. Based on available financing and using the ranked, selected candidates list prepared by the ATSSSC, the OAS determines how many scholarships can be financed and awarded and presents the list of these to the Secretary General for his approval.
6. The OAS notifies the awardees, the Permanent Mission of the Member States to the OAS, the OAS Country Offices, and ONEs of the award of an OAS scholarship.
7. If an awardee has been accepted for admission to an educational institution, the OAS will provide the awardee with a contract specifying the terms of the scholarship. At the same time, the sponsoring country will enter into a separate contract with the awardee to ensure reimbursement of the scholarship cost to the OAS if the awardee fails to return to reside in his/her sponsoring country after completion of the program of study covered by the scholarship.
8. If an awardee will be placed by the OAS, a preliminary placement contract will be issued by the OAS. The OAS Scholarship contract and accompanying materials and the contract agreement with the sponsoring country will be made and sent when the placement in the institution of higher learning has been completed and approve

Applicants who have questions regarding the status of their applications during the recruitment and selection process for OAS academic scholarships should contact their National Liaison Offices (ONEs).Member States that have appointed more than one National Liaison Office (ONE) will need to submit to OAS one unified list containing the names of the pre-selected candidates presented by a Member State.

Questions may be sent to the Department of Human Development, Academic Scholarships Unit, [email protected]. Please indicate in your e-mail if your question relates to the graduate or the undergraduate scholarship program.

Glossary of Terms

Department of Human Development (DHD) Tel.: (202) 458-6166; Fax (202) 458-3897

Organization of American States 1889 F Street, N.W., sixth floor Washington, D.C. 20006

NOTE TO ALL APPLICANTS TO OAS SCHOLARSHIPS

PLEASE READ BEFORE STARTING

The application must be completed in its entirety before exiting the site or submitting the form. The information you enter can be saved as you are working on it during this session. However, information cannot be saved for another session before the application is submitted. We strongly suggest that you print the blank application form http://www.educoas.org/Portal/es/oasbecas/Scholarships-Application%20Form%20word%20,%20online%20version.%201.doc, prepare the narrative information in a separate Word document which you can copy and paste into the on-line application form, and fill out the other data by hand on the application form before you begin to fill out the form on line. Once you access and open the form, it can remain open (without exiting or submitting it) indefinitely, so you will have time to fillout the form and check your information before submitting it. No changes will be permitted after you submit the form.

You may not submit the Word document as your formal application.
This application must be completed on-line.


If you are ready to fill out the application form from beginning to end,
please click the "Continue" button below.