NOAA’s EPP/MSI Graduate Sciences Program (GSP), USA

Level: Research

Description:The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) is designed to provide financial assistance to minority serving academic institutions to support collaborative research and training of students in NOAA-mission sciences through competitive processes. The program’s goal is to increase the number of students who are trained and graduate in sciences directly related to NOAA’s mission. It also seeks to increase collaborative research efforts between NOAA scientists and researchers at minority serving academic institutions, as defined by the Department of Education. Financial assistance is provided through four program components, they include: the Cooperative Science Centers; the Environmental Entrepreneurship Program; the Graduate Sciences Program and, the Undergraduate Scholarship Program.

NOAA’s EPP/MSI Graduate Sciences Program (GSP) is specifically designed to recruit and develop outstanding candidates for entry-level employment within NOAA’s scientific occupations. The NOAA EPP/MSI GSP offers a training and employment opportunity for students who possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a NOAA related science and an opportunity to pursue research at a NOAA research laboratory. GSP targets student recruitment from MSIs, including Alaska Native Serving Institutions (ANSIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (NHSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).

NOAA EPP/MSI GSP targets individuals who are traditionally under-represented in science, mathematics, and engineering.

Eligibility: An applicant must be a United States citizen; possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a NOAA science, including but not limited to: biology, chemistry, physics, physical science, geology, geography, mathematics, social science, or engineering; have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in undergraduate and graduate courses; have been accepted to an accredited U.S. graduate school; be enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. undergraduate or graduate program at the time of application; and have the ability to complete required course work and assignments for the targeted position within two years if completing a Master’s degree or four years if completing a PhD. A current graduate student with a M.S. degree in the fields of study listed above may apply as long as the dissertation topic for the Ph.D. relates to NOAA’s research. The length of the training period may be extended on a case-by-case basis. Renewal of the academic training is based on excellent academic progress and research consistent with the NOAA mission.

Scholarship application Deadline: 31 January 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

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The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme 2011-2012, Kenya

The  2011-2012 academic year will be available starting January 2011.

The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year in June or July. The Foundation gives priority to requests for Master's level courses but is also willing to consider applications for PhD programmes, when doctoral degrees are necessary for the career objectives of the student. Requests will also be considered for travel and study awards for PhD students doing their research in Third World countries on topics judged to be of interest to the Aga Khan Development Network. Applications for short-term courses are not considered; neither are applications from students who have already started their course of study.

Geographic Scope

The Foundation accepts applications from countries where it has branches, affiliates or other AKDN agencies which can help with processing applications and interviewing applicants. At present, these are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar, France, Portugal, UK, USA and Canada.

Selection Criteria

The main criteria for selecting award winners are: l) excellent academic records, 2) genuine financial need, 3) admission to a reputable institution of higher learning and 4) thoughtful and coherent educational and career plans. Candidates are also evaluated on their extra-curricular interests and achievements, potential to achieve their goals and likelihood to succeed in a foreign academic environment. Applicants are expected to have some years of work experience in their field of interest.

Age Limit

Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.

Financial Assistance

The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only. The cost of travel is not included in AKF scholarships. Applicants are requested to make every effort to obtain funding from other sources as well, so that the amount requested from the Foundation can be reduced to a minimum. Preference is given to those who have been able to secure some funding from alternative sources.

Loan Conditions

Half of the scholarship amount is considered as a loan, which must be reimbursed with an annual service charge of 5%. A guarantor is required to co-sign the loan agreement. The payback period is five years, starting six months after the study period funded by the Aga Khan Foundation.

Application Procedures

The application procedures of AKF's International Scholarship Programme are decentralised. Students may obtain application forms as of January 1st each year from AKF offices or Aga Khan Education Services / Boards in their countries of current residence. Completed applications should be returned to the agency from which the form was obtained, or to the address indicated on the front of the form. They should not be sent to Geneva. The deadline for submission of applications is March 31, although in certain countries internal deadlines may be earlier.

Applicants should be prepared to be interviewed by local Scholarship Committees about their financial situation, their academic performance, extra-curricular achievements and career plans. Interview reports are sent with the applications to Geneva for the final selection.

The annual Scholarship Selection Meeting takes place in late June or early July and the Aga Khan Foundation notifies all students of the outcome of their application shortly thereafter. 

Scholarship Application Deadline: March 31st, 2011
Further Scholarship Information and Application

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Student Grants program

Student Grants, created in 2010, is a funding opportunity for exchange students who are going abroad to study. It is a well-known fact that most students live on a very limited budget. This limited budget can be an obstacle when going abroad to study in a foreign country. There are several investments to be made in relation to for instance accommodation, books and transportation.

Further a staying abroad can be associated with increased living expenses which can be hard to overcome on a student budget. Student Grant wants to facilitate studying abroad and we do so by awarding quarterly student grants.

Selection criteria
Target group:     Undergraduate, Master's degree, Bachelor's degree , PhD degree
Purpose:     Study, Research
Field of study:     All
Countries:     All
Eligible candidates:     All students going abroad (eligibility needs to be confirmed by host university).

Grand information
Value and purpose of grant: 1000 Euros per grant, donated every quarter
Grant award period: n.a.
Closing date :  1 January, 1 April, 1 July, 1 October
Grant provider : The Student Grants program is financed and supported by CasaSwap.com (www.casaswap.com) – a free, worldwide housing service for students.

Application procedure:
Apply online at http://student-grants.eu/user/register. Winning student will be notified directly and will be published on the Student Grants website.

Next round of Student Grants: 1 January 2011 - apply here!

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Reach Oxford scholarships 2011-2012 to Students From Developing Countries

A number of Oxford colleges offer Reach Oxford scholarships (formerly Oxford Student Scholarships) to students from developing countries who, for political or financial reasons, or because suitable educational facilities do not exist, cannot study for a degree in their own countries.

Fee status: Overseas
Level of study:    Undergraduate
Value: University fees and college fees, a grant for living expenses and one return air fare per year
Duration: 3 or 4 years depending on course length
Closing date: Friday 25 February 2011

Am I eligible?
Nationality:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Rep., Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Rep., Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea, Dem. Rep., Kosovo, Kyrgyz, Rep., Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestinian Administered Areas, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Scholarship Application Deadline: 25 Feb 2011

How do I apply?
Further Scholarship information and Application

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International Foundation Year : APPLY NOW FOR JANUARY 2011

APPLY NOW FOR JANUARY 2011

Subjects available for January start are: Business, Finance, Law, Hospitality, Tourism and Construction and Property. 

    *Guaranteed Progression on to over 100 undergraduate degrees at the University of Salford when you pass the IFY at the required standard
    * 2.5 km from the culturally-diverse city of Manchester
    *A full-time, one year course
    *All tuition provided by experienced University staff
    *All English language teaching is accredited by the British Council
    *Join an exciting, internationalised University, with more than 3,000 international students from across the world
    *Want to know more? Contact us efl-languages@salford.ac.uk

International preparation for more than 100 undergraduate degree programmes

The International Foundation Year (IFY) programme prepares international students who want to study for an undergraduate degree at university in the United Kingdom. 

The programme is for you if you have finished high school in your own country but don’t yet have the qualifications to go straight on to a British course. It is also for you if you already have the qualifications you need but want time to practise your English alongside your chosen subjects and get accustomed to life at university in the UK. 

When you pass the IFY at the required standard you will then be able to progress onto over 100 degree programmes at the University of Salford.

The IFY programme can be joined at two entry points, in January and in September.

January 2011 IFY

Our next entry date for IFY is January 2011.

The programme will cost £3290 for UK students and those from EU countries and £7280 for all other International students.

Subjects available for January start are:

• BSc (Hons) Business Studies (with Economics, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, International Business Management, Marketing Management or Quantitative Business Management)
• BSc (Hons) Business & Management Studies (with law)
• BSc (Hons) Business Information Technology
• HND Construction & Property
• BSc (Hons) Finance & Accounting
• BA (Hons) Hospitality Management
• BA (Hons) Hospitality & Tourism Management
• LLB Law (with Criminology or Spanish)
• BA (Hons) Leisure & Tourism Management
• BA (Hons) Sport & Leisure Management
• BA (Hons) Tourism Management

All other programmes are only available with September start date. View the full list of degrees available with IFY.

If you wish to apply for the International Foundation Year programme please download an application form and follow the our "what to do next" steps. When applying you will need to submit a photocopy of your passport, evidence of English Language (for example, an IELTS certificate) if available and high school documents (officially translated) otherwise you will not receive an offer letter.

Find out more

Find out more information about the International Foundation Year.

If you have any additional questions, visit our Frequently Asked Questions pages or contact us with your enquiries.

Download the IFY brochure

The School of Languages offers free English language testing to students considering our programmes and there is a wide range of scholarships and fee exemptions available.

Find out how to apply.

See what our students say about IFY and other EFL programmes.

English Language Programmes

We also run English Language Programmes all year round for international students that wish to improve their English. See our full list of EFL courses.

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BG Group Chevening Cambridge Award 2011

BG Group Chevening Cambridge Award

Application type: By separate application

Degree: 1 year postgraduate
Subject: All
Value:   University Composition Fee
              College Fee
              Annual stipend sufficient for a single student
              One return economy airfare
              IELTS testing (where necessary)
Funding partners:

    * BG Group
    * Foreign and Commonwealth Office

BG Group

BG Group works in co-operation with governments, partners and other stakeholders to find, develop and connect natural gas to markets worldwide. 

A leading player in the global energy market, BG Group is a dynamic growing business with operations in more than 25 countries over five continents.

BG Group works with the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and the Cambridge Overseas Trust to offer the BG Group Cambridge Scholarship, and with both Trusts and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to offer the BG Group Chevening Cambridge Scholarship.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the UK government department responsible for promoting British interests overseas and supporting our citizens and businesses around the globe.

The Chevening Scholarship programme, which has run for the last 26 years, has been the flagship scholarship scheme of the British Government, offering awards annually in over 130 countries on the basis of an open competition. The programme has supported around 1000 individuals from across the world each year to study in the UK.

Following the UK Government's Spending Review for 2011-2015, all plans for Chevening Scholarships are currently under review, and applicants for the scholarships listed below are asked to visit the Chevening website for updated information:

BG Group Chevening Cambridge Scholarship
Chevening Cambridge Scholarship for Koreans
Hutchison Whampoa Chevening Scholarship

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IDB Cambridge International Scholarship 2011

IDB Cambridge International Scholarship

Application type: By separate application

Degree:  PhD

Subject:  Science, Technology

Value:   University Composition Fee

              College Fee

              Annual stipend sufficient for a single student
              One return economy airfare
 

Funding partners:     * Islamic Development Bank

Islamic Development Bank

The purpose of the Islamic Development Bank is to foster the economic development and social progress of its member countries and Muslim communities, individually as well as jointly, in accordance with the principles of Shari'ah or Islamic Law.

The Islamic Development Bank works with the Cambridge Overseas Trust to offer the IDB Cambridge International Scholarship; further information is available here.

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Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme 2011

The Shared Scholarship Scheme is a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (with funding from DFID), and UK universities, to support scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom.

Information for UK Universities

UK Universities were invited to bid to joint-fund Shared Scholarships with the Commission in 2011/12.   Invitations were sent to all Vice Chancellors and existing CSS contacts.  The closing date for applications was the 11 June 2010.  Information on future bidding rounds will be posted when available.  

Information for Prospective Scholars for 2011

How does the Scheme work?

Awards are for taught postgraduate courses only. All courses undertaken must be demonstrably relevant to the economic, social or technological development of the candidate's home country.

Awards are only available at participating institutions in the UK. The booklet giving details of the UK institutions offering Scholarships joint-funded with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in 2011 is available below for download or can be obtained in print copy from the Scheme Administrators (see below). 

• Booklet for 2011 Shared Scholarship Scheme (pdf)

Please note that participating universities are required to support the student stipend for the award holder (at the rate set by the UK Government). The Commission funds the cost of tuition fees (at overseas rate), return airfares and other allowances.

Who is eligible?

Applicants should:

a. be nationals of (or permanently domiciled in) a Commonwealth developing country, and not currently be living or studying in a developed country (please see the booklet for a list of eligible countries)
b. hold a first degree at either first or upper second class level;
c . be sufficiently fluent in English to pursue the course
d. have not previously studied for one year or more in a developed country
e. not be employed by a government department (at national level) or a parastatal organisation (employees of universities are normally acceptable, however)
f. be able to confirm in writing that neither they or their families would otherwise be able to pay for the proposed course of study
g. be willing to confirm that they will return to their home country as soon as their period of study is complete

How can I apply?

All enquiries should be addressed to the University at which you wish to study and through which you should therefore apply for a Scholarship, and not to the Commission.  They will advise you on eligibility issues and on how to make an application direct to them.   There are two options for this:

Option 1

Most universities will handle advertising and recruitment directly using their own application form and applications should therefore be made to the participating university direct.  Following the  university's closing date, the university will ask the candidates it selects to complete the CSC's application form using our Electronic Application System (EAS). Candidates should note that they must complete the EAS by the 17 May 2011 at the latest in order to be nominated to the Commission by their host university.

Option 2

Some universities want all candidates for their Shared Scholarship courses to apply via the Commission's Electronic Application System (EAS).  You will be advised by the institution if this is the case and should then access the EAS once it is available for Shared Scholarships from the 19 November 2010 - applications must be submitted in time to meet the institution's own deadline which will be made clear in the EAS and is listed in the Booklet (where institutions have not specified a closing date candidates should contact the institution so as to ascertain the latest date that the institution is willing to accept applications).

All institutions are asked to forward their nominations to the CSC no later than 31 May 2011 using the EAS.

Where can I get further information?

All enquiries about making an application and about eligibility should be addressed to the individual university that candidates are applying to (contact details are given in the handbook above). General inquiries regarding the scheme should be sent to the scheme administrators at the address below. Please note that applications sent to this office will be disregarded and will not be passed on to the institutions.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
c/o Association of Commonwealth Universities
Woburn House, 20-24 Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9HF

Telephone : 44 (0) 207 380 6700

Fax : 44 (0) 207 387 2655

Former Scholars' Views

Each year we carry out an anonymous survey of award holders. Here are some recent quotes on the relevance of the scheme:

"The course was a launching pad for my academic career and it did exactly that. I hope I can use my skills to turn around the education sector in my country. The scheme has definitely chipped into the forgotten area of professional/personal development which most African governments have ignored." (Education, Africa)

"The DFID scholarship has given me an opportunity not only to live and study in a new country but has also broadened my views and ideas. My course has benefited me to an extent which makes me feel I can use the expertise gained to enhance my career and for betterment of the environment." (Social Science, South Asia)

"This was a unique academic learning experience, meeting with and sharing ideas with people from all over the world and an exposure to advanced knowledge." (Social Science, South Asia)

"It was great interacting with students from all over the world and learning new ways to solve problems." (Health, South Asia)

Click here to the Shared Scholarships page

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NNPC / ESSO International Postgraduate Scholarship 2010

In continuation of Esso Exploration and Production  Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) efforts to provide opportunities for developing careers in the petroleum industry, we offer International Scholarships to outstanding Nigerian graduates wishing to pursue post-graduate studies in the underlisted disciplines:

Geosciences

Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical,Sub-Sea and Marine)

Essential Requirements:

1.      Must be a graduate from Nigerian Universities with relevant degree.

2.      Candidate should possess a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of second class upper division in any of the engineering and Geosciences disciplines.

3.      Must have provisional admission/accommodation into any reputable university.

The EEPNL scholarship award  applies to tuition, books, accommodation and living expenses for the duration of the selected course of study including air fare to and from the location of study.

If you are qualified and interested, please  complete the form in “Apply Here” on this website and submit as instructed.

Shortlisted candidates should be prepared to take a skills test. Strict compliance with our guidelines is advisable. Applications not received within 2 weeks will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Employees of ExxonMobil subsidiary companies in Nigeria and their dependents are not eligible for this scholarship.

Click here for details and apply online

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Application Procedure for Postgraduate Programmes (Masters' & Doctoral Degree Courses)

This section explains the process of applying to universities in England & Scotland for Postgraduate (Masters’ & Doctorate Degree) courses. 

For details on how to select a university that matches your interests, needs and academic background, go to the Selecting Universities ( Complete list):

•    Application Forms
•    Eligibility  Application Requirements
1.    Academic Records
2.    Standardized Tests
3.    Work Experience Details
4.    Letters of Recommendation
5.    Statement of Purpose (SOP)  

Application Forms
Send enquiries at least 12 to 18 months before the proposed date of admission. There are two ways to get application forms.

1.    Requesting Application Forms: You can request application forms from the universities website. Most universities have a form on their website which can be completed online to request application material.
2.    Downloading from the university website: Many universities have a downloadable and ready to print version of their application form on the net. These can be used for applying just as regular forms.

For complete list of Universities in UK. Click here

Eligibility   

For entry to a postgraduate degree course, for most Universities, a good first degree from a leading university in foreign countries or its equivalent is essential.

Application Requirements
---------------------------
Academic Records   

Full details of your education including your course subjects and grades are required in the applications. Transcripts or official records of your previous academic qualifications are crucial for your application.

Students applying for admission are required to submit an official transcript from each college or university that they have attended after secondary school with complete details of the subjects, credits involved and other details like correspondence courses, diplomas etc. Most universities ask for the transcript to be sealed in an envelope and signed and attested across the seal by the registrar. This procedure is to be done for each and every college that you have attended. Some universities may ask for more than one transcript but most require only one.

If the originals are not in English, copies and a good English translation must be enclosed. If your undergraduate qualification or university is unknown to the admissions tutor, the British Council would be able to advise.
________________________________________
Standardized Tests  
IELTS : For most courses and universities, International students are required to take  IELTS (International English Language Test) which is regularly administered by the British Council. Some universities may accept TOEFL as an alternative.

Note : Some Universities may waive IELTS if you have been studying in English medium throughout and they are convinced that you are proficient in English.

GMAT : For most management courses, International students are required to take GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).

Note:
1) Most British Universities do not require the GRE for admission to post graduate courses.

2) Some Universities may waive IELTS / TOEFL if you have been studying in English medium throughout and they are convinced that you are proficient in English.
________________________________________
Work Experience Details  
A number of professional and vocational courses require relevant work experience. For instance, many MBAs or master’s courses in information studies require at least a couple of years’ work experience. Most Australian universities are pretty strict about this.

A detailed Résumé is an important part of your application. It should include all information of professional work experience along with the details like positions held, achievements and range of work.

________________________________________
Letter of Recommendation 
Letters of reference or recommendation letters play a very important part in your admission especially in courses that earn you a master’s or doctoral degree. A recommendation letter is a signed statement from a person who knows you well professionally or has taught you in a subject that is related to the course you are applying to. It should list your positive and negative qualities, strengths and other such information.

The author or teacher must indicate his position, how long he/she has known the applicant and in what capacity. He/she should briefly discuss the need, importance and usefulness of the study the applicant proposes to undertake. Authors are usually asked to rank applicants in their letters of recommendation, which helps admission officers to interpret the academic credentials of foreign students. Students should obtain letters of recommendation (often on the prescribed forms sent by the institutions) from teachers who know them as a person as well as a student. You may like to request your author to give concrete examples that may show your qualities and help your case.

Many universities have their own format and questions that have to be answered by the person who is giving the letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters, which do not give enough information, can jeopardize a candidate’s chances of selection. 

Note : Even if not mentioned, it is advisable to include at least two letters of recommendation in your applications as they increase your chances of getting admissions.
________________________________________
Statement of Purpose
The personal essays, and/or statement of purpose, play a very important role in the process of evaluating your application for both admission as well as financial aid because it gives the faculty assessing your application their most significant impression of you as an individual. This section is the key to distinguish your application from other suitable candidates and a chance to market yourself.

A personal statement should include your reasons for choosing a particular course, the suitability of your education and experience for the chosen course, your personal interests and career goals.

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