The Channel Foundation ("CF") offers Native Leadership Scholarship ("NLS") benefits to citizens of developing nations and members of indigenous societies, for graduate and post-graduate education. NLS support is for study/research that is focused on needs of the student’s native population. The research should stem from the student’s present or prior experience working with this population. It should aim for community-based, culturally appropriate solutions.

The intent of the NLS is to prepare native leaders to end or alleviate critical social, health, educational, environmental or economic problems/needs of their countries. Examples would be the AIDS pandemic, infant mortality, reproductive health, gender equity, microbial diseases, drug/sex trafficking, child exploitation, environmental protection, war/conflict resolution, agroecology, global trade, and sustainable economic development.

Eligibility Requirements

The qualified candidate…

1. Is a citizen of a developing nation and/or member of an indigenous population.
2. has proof of a bachelor’s or higher degree.
3. has at least 3 years of work experience dealing with critical social, health, educational, environmental, or economic conditions that threaten life or social stability, that discriminate, or that destroy or deplete the nation’s resources.
4. Is accepted into a graduate level programme of an accredited university for full-time study/research related to the work experience.
5. can show evidence of financial need for educational support.
6. Intends to return to his/her home country to work, utilising training and research acquired in the study programme.

NLS awards range up to USD $25,000 per year (June through May). Four to six scholarships are granted each year. The scholarships are meant to help students to meet the costs of tuition and fees, books and educational supplies, housing, maintenance, and travel to/from the home country and institution. (For students in United States universities, NLS funding for expenses other than tuition and books is subject to U.S. tax.) Candidates may use NLS funding for graduate study at accredited institutions worldwide. Students from the Global South who plan to enter graduate programmes in universities of the Global South are encouraged to apply.

The application deadline is March 26 2005.