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OAS-PLACED GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Sponsor: Organization of American States (OAS)
Countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela
Program focus: Economic diversification and integration, trade liberalization, and market access; education; social development and the creation of productive employment; scientific development and exchange and transfer of technology; strengthening of democratic institutions; sustainable development of tourism; sustainable development and the environment; and culture
Timeframe: 2002–present
Description: This program supports graduate studies for outstanding individuals throughout the Americas who are placed by LASPAU in degree programs at universities in OAS member countries. To ensure that available funds support the maximum number of grants, LASPAU negotiates with admitting universities to secure tuition assistance in the form of scholarships and assistantships. The goal of the program is to fortify the disciplines and institutions most important to building a strong future in the region. To this end, grantees pursue studies in fields critical to addressing issues such as the struggle against poverty and inequality; consolidating democracy; and achieving integral, just, and sustainable social and economic development. To date, over 250 individuals have participated in the program.

More Information

In December 2001, the Organization of American States (OAS) signed a new partnership agreement with LASPAU, enabling the two organizations to work together to increase opportunities for graduate studies and research through the expansion of the OAS scholarship program. The collaboration—formed to increase the numbers of grants available as well as to expand access to these grants—adds flexibility to the OAS scholarship program and to its commitment to address OAS priority development areas through academic exchange.

Leveraging its 40 years of expertise and its extensive international academic network, LASPAU places selected grantees from OAS member states at institutions of excellence throughout the hemisphere and secures tuition assistance from the host institution.

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.

Benefits typically include:

  • Graduate program placement services and guidance
  • Total or partial tuition assistance provided by the host university; balance covered by the scholarship
  • Round-trip air travel to and from the study site
  • Monthly subsistence allowance
  • Annual allowance for books and study materials
  • Health insurance


Eligibility:

Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of OAS member states, hold a university degree, posses an excellent academic record, and meet all requirements for admission to graduate studies. Scholarships are for study in a member state other than the country of citizenship/permanent residence. Applicants must have clear academic goals, a focused proposed area of study and career objectives contributing to the development of the country. LASPAU (the administering agency contracted by the OAS Department of Human Development) will place the selected candidates in universities that are able to provide full or partial tuition assistance.

Applications must be submitted to the National Liaison Office (ONE) in the applicant's country of origin or permanent residence. The deadline for submission of applications is determined by each ONE. Candidates should check directly with the ONE in their country for the appropriate deadline.


Additional information:

For additional information on the 2009-2010 application process, please visit the following pages of the OAS website.

Scholarship conditions, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and evaluation criteria:
http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/announcement09-10.aspx?culture=en&navid=44

Scholarship documents, forms, and application instructions:
http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/forms.aspx?culture=en&navid=44

Scholarship selection process:
http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/selection.aspx?culture=en&navid=44


For more information, please contact:

Craig E. Hastings, Associate Director for Programs
LASPAU
25 Mount Auburn St.
Cambridge, MA 02138-6095
Tel: 617-495-0432
Fax: 617-495-8990
E-mail: craig_hastings@harvard.edu


Last revised: March 1, 2007
Copyright © 2007 by LASPAU: Academic and Professional Programs for the Americas
25 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-6095 USA
Tel: (617) 495-5255, Fax: (617) 495-8990, Email: laspau-webmaster@calists.harvard.edu