Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarships fund graduate-level study abroad that is tied to one of Rotary's areas of focus, such as peace, disease prevention, clean water, maternal and child health, basic education, economic development, and the environment. They are awarded by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, working through local Rotary clubs and districts that sponsor each scholar. Each global grant is funded jointly by Rotary clubs and districts and The Rotary Foundation, and has a minimum budget of ~$30,000 — often more — which can cover tuition, living costs, travel, and study materials for a master's or other postgraduate programme. Rotary has 7 areas of focus, and the study must clearly relate to one of them and to work the scholar will continue afterward. Rotary International was founded in 1905. There is no single global deadline: you apply with a sponsoring Rotary district on a timetable that fits both the grant-approval process and your programme start. Treat the figures here as estimates and confirm current details with your local Rotary district and on Rotary's official website.
Connect with a sponsoring Rotary district, build the grant project around an area of focus, then apply through Rotary's grant system.
This is a partnership between you and Rotary volunteers — finding a sponsoring district is essential and can take time. Budgets and timelines are set per grant, so start early.
Worldwide, wherever there are sponsoring Rotary districts (study undertaken abroad)
Selection is a partnership process: sponsoring and host Rotary districts agree to back the scholar and project, and The Rotary Foundation approves the global grant against its rules and the alignment with an area of focus. The strength of the project, its service impact, and district sponsorship all shape the outcome.
The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International, a global network of service clubs founded in 1905. Through global grants, it funds graduate scholarships and humanitarian projects aligned with seven areas of focus, sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts around the world.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Scholarships for graduate-level study abroad that aligns with one of Rotary's areas of focus, funded jointly by Rotary clubs/districts and The Rotary Foundation and sponsored locally.
Each global grant has a minimum budget of ~$30,000, often more, which can cover tuition, living costs, and travel for the programme.
Depending on the grant: tuition, accommodation and living costs, international travel, and study materials for a master's or other postgraduate programme abroad.
People undertaking graduate study abroad in a field aligned with a Rotary area of focus, sponsored by a Rotary district. Rotarians and their close family are generally not eligible for grant funds.
Peace, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education, community economic development, and the environment.
Contact Rotary clubs/districts in your area; you need a local sponsoring district and a host district where you will study.
No — global grants are processed on a rolling basis, so you apply on a timetable that fits both the grant approval and your programme start. Plan well ahead.
Yes — global grant scholarships fund study outside your home country, with host Rotary support there.
It primarily funds graduate study aligned to an area of focus; some grants support postgraduate research, but check the rules with your district.
It can take several months to find a sponsor and build the grant, so start early — well before your intended start date.
Rotary International, founded in 1905, is a global network of service clubs; The Rotary Foundation is its charitable arm that funds the grants.
On Rotary's official scholarships pages and with your local Rotary district, which explain global-grant rules, budgets, and timelines.