Organization Of American States Academic Scholarships Program 2024; The Organization of American States (OAS) offers a prestigious scholarship program to support Canadian citizens or permanent residents looking to pursue Master’s or PhD studies outside of Canada, within the OAS Member States.
This initiative aims to enhance collaboration and foster the development of the member states in various fields, thereby strengthening ties and mutual understanding across the Americas.
Types of OAS Scholarships Available:
- Scholarships at an OAS Consortium University: Applicants may apply to up to three programs within the OAS Consortium of Universities across different countries, ensuring consideration of at least two countries in their application. This pathway potentially increases the chances of securing a scholarship.
- Scholarships at a Non-OAS Consortium University: Applicants can apply for admission directly to their chosen universities and must separately apply for an OAS scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident residing in Canada.
- Should have completed the required degree(s) for the intended program of study at the time of application.
- Must have an overall grade point average (GPA) above the minimum standard required by the prospective host university.
- Should be in good physical and mental health.
- Must have the necessary language skills for the academic program in the host country.
Scholarship Value and Duration:
- The scholarship offers a grant of $10,000 USD for a minimum of one academic year, starting between January 2024 and December 2024. This scholarship may be renewed once, subject to certain conditions including funding availability and academic performance.
Application Process:
Step 1: OAS Online Application
- Complete the OAS Graduate Academic Scholarships Application online, adhering to the application guidelines.
- Upload required supporting documents.
- Direct any inquiries to scholarships@oas.org.
Step 2: DFATD Online Application
- Register and complete the application form on the My EduCanada portal.
- Ensure to submit all required documents, adhering to specified formats and sizes.
- Validate, save, and submit your application before the deadline.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent residency
- copy of a birth certificate, citizenship card, passport, or permanent resident card; a baptism certificate is not accepted as proof of Canadian citizenship.
- Letter of admission from the OAS host institution
- letter of admission from the host institution confirming the name and level of the program of study, the academic start and end date, and that the candidate has been admitted on an unconditional basis.
- Curriculum vitae
- must not include photographs or any personal information such as a date of birth (maximum two pages).
- Two letters of recommendation
- preferably from current or former professors (using the OAS Recommendation Statement Form ) or from current or previous employers (using the Employer Recommendation Form ). If never employed, a reputable member of the community (ex., a business leader) may attest to the applicant’s qualities as a student or professional (using the OAS Recommendation Statement Form ).
- Proof of registration for studies in progress
- including courses being taken (if applicable).
- Official transcripts
- a transcript of all post-secondary studies to date (complete academic records, including colleges and CÉGEPs) with the cumulative grade point average (GPA) for each degree or certificate. Applicants enrolled in a program of study at the time of application must also submit their current academic transcript.
- Copy of diploma
- for the highest degree obtained.
- Copy of the OAS online application form
Application Deadline:
- The final submission deadline for both the OAS and DFATD online applications is 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 12, 2024. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Review and Selection Process:
APPLICATION REVIEW PROCEDURES
All applications received by the deadline and that meet the eligibility requirements will be evaluated by the Canadian Scholarship Selection Committee.
The Canadian Scholarship Selection Committee:
- is made up of individuals from the academic community representing all regions of Canada, both official language groups and a wide variety of academic and professional disciplines.
- reviews, evaluates, and ranks applications to recommend a list of pre-selected applicants.
Applications will be reviewed by the Canadian Scholarship Selection Committee using the following criteria:
- the merits and overall credentials of the applicant, including academic and/or professional experience:
- the quality of the written essays and how well the applicant explains the impact they believe their studies will have on their institution, community, and country, as well as their five-year plan upon returning to Canada.
- the applicant’s university grade point average (GPA)
- the level of completeness and detail put into the preparation of the application
- the quality of the recommendation letters, which attest to the applicant’s ability to perform and to succeed as a scholarship recipient and describe what contribution and impact the referee believes the applicant will have on the institution, community, or sponsoring country.
- potential and commitment of the applicant to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to the development of Canada.
- the adherence to the objectives and the priorities established in the OAS Strategic Plan (PDF, 44KB)
Conditions and Additional Information:
- Scholarships cannot be used for studies in the applicant’s country of citizenship or permanent residency.
- Selected candidates are required to provide an unconditional acceptance letter and must agree to return to Canada for at least 24 months after completing their studies.
For further inquiries or assistance with the application process, contact Scholarships-Info-Bourses@international.gc.ca or call 613-237-4820.
