Guidelines

Burma Supplementary Grant Program

Application Guidelines

The Supplementary Grant Program–Burma (SGPB) was established in 1994 to address the needs of Burmese students, both inside and outside of the country, whose college education was disrupted due to political instability in Burma. The program provides supplemental financial assistance to Burmese students enrolled in academic programs at accredited colleges and universities leading to a degree.

Eligibility

Grants are awarded on the basis of academic record, applicant's long-term goals, and financial need. Grants are given to students who not only meet the program criteria but who are willing and likely to return to Burma to work for the democratic and economic development of the country. The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The competition is merit-based and open to those meeting the following criteria:

• applicants must be enrolled in full time study at an accredited college or university leading to a degree (BA, MA, PhD etc.);
• the program provides supplemental funds only—applicants must have already been awarded partial or full tuition, room and board stipends, or have other types of financial aid (family support, part-time job, etc.);
• applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the spoken and written language of their host country (or host university if languages are different).

Fields of Study

For individuals who are studying or intend to study in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia, only those studying in the humanities and social sciences are eligible to apply—with preference given to graduate study in the following fields: Public Health, Social Policy, Social Work, Education, Environmental Policy, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economic Policy, and Law.

Requests for support in the following fields are ineligible: Business Administration/Management Training, Computer Science, Finance/Banking/Marketing, Engineering, Hard & Natural Sciences (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, etc.), Mathematics, Medical Science, Fine and Performing Arts.

For individuals who are studying or intend to study in other parts of the world, including Asia, the above restrictions do not apply, although preference is still given to graduate studies in the social sciences or humanities.

For all applicants the following are not supported by the program:

• Distance Education Courses
• English as a Second Language Programs
• High School
• Vocational Training

Financial Terms

Grants are provided to help cover costs for one or more of the following categories:

• Tuition and fees: not to exceed 50% of tuition and fees per academic year (For students who are studying or intend to study in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia only).
• Living expenses: students who have succeeded in funding their tuition, either through scholarships or their own financial means will be eligible for additional housing and living funds.
• Other: students who have secured all necessary funds but cannot afford additional expenses, such as books, materials, health insurance, transportation to and from school will be eligible for additional funds. This does not cover purchase of computer equipment, airfares or debt related to studies. In no case may an applicant request grant assistance for the support of an accompanying child or spouse.

Participant Responsibility

Grantees are required to maintain student status throughout the period of the grant and abide by all the terms and conditions outlined in the contract letter signed by the grantee. Grant stipends are distributed upon submission of proof of enrollment in a study program.

Deadlines

March 15—for students studying in India, Asia and Australia

May 15—for students studying in Europe and North America

Application for Continued Funding for Current SGPB Grantees

Current grantees (2008-09) who want to apply for continued funding for 2009-10 must complete the Application for Continued Funding (attached below) and send it, with the required documents, to the appropriate office. The Application for Continued Funding should only be completed by current grantees—individuals who received SGPB funding for academic year 2008-09—who are continuing in the same degree program. All other applicants must complete a new application.

Contact Information

India
Students in India should mail their applications and additional required materials to:
Student Information Center
Lata Pillai
A-Block, Pocket-AG1
141C, Vikaspuri
New Delhi-110018
INDIA
Tel: +91 981 095 9926
Email: sic@studentscenter.info or cholwin2000@yahoo.co.in

Thailand, Australia, Asia (other than India)
Students in Thailand, Australia, and Asian countries other than India should mail their applications and additional required materials to:
Shona Kirkwood
P.O. Box 8
Mae Ping Post Office
Chiang Mai 50301
THAILAND
Tel: +66 (0) 53 328 059, +66 (0) 81 993 2406
Email: bpeoshona@gmail.com
For information on the costs of study at Southeast Asian Universities, please write to: sss@burmaed.org.

Africa, Canada, Europe, Middle East, United States
Students in Africa, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and United States should mail their applications and additional required materials to:
Open Society Institute
Network Scholarship Programs
Supplementary Grant Program – Burma
400 West 59th Street
New York, New York 10019 USA
Tel: +1-212-548-0175
Email: mwilson@sorosny.org