Rotary Scholarships for Water and Sanitation Professionals

Rotary and the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education have teamed up to tackle the world’s water and sanitation crisis by increasing the number of trained professionals to devise, plan, and implement solutions in developing and emerging countries.

The Rotary Scholarships for Water and Sanitation Professionals have been designed to promote long-term productive relationships between Rotarians and highly skilled water and sanitation professionals in their communities.

Rotary scholars will benefit from the support they receive through regular contact with sponsoring Rotarians from their home country and the opportunity to interact with Rotarians in the Netherlands. After graduating, scholars’ expertise will be put to work improving water and sanitation conditions in their own community with a project the scholar and sponsoring Rotarians will design and implement together.

In addition, Rotary Foundation alumni are part of an extensive network of fellow Rotary scholarship recipients and Rotarians worldwide. Becoming involved with a local Rotary club and the alumni association allows scholars to stay connected to Rotary’s global community and resources.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Students eligible for this scholarship must be provisionally admitted to one of the following degree programs at UNESCO-IHE (joint programs are not eligible):

• MSc in Urban Water and Sanitation
• MSc in Water Management
• MSc in Water Science and Engineering

Students must also live or work near a Rotary club.

Application Process

Students provisionally admitted to one of the three eligible UNESCO-IHE academic programs will seek the sponsorship of their local Rotary club or district.

Scholars are selected in a competitive process. Candidates are chosen based on their ability to have a significant, positive impact on global water and sanitation issues during their career.  Successful applicants will have a strong academic background, significant and relevant professional experience, and demonstrated leadership in the community. Completed applications must be received by TRF from sponsor Rotarians no later than 15 May of the year in which studies begin. Applications submitted directly to TRF by the student will not be considered.

TRF awards scholarships of approximately €25,000, paid directly to UNESCO-IHE. Funding to cover additional costs (including international travel) related to participation in the academic program will be coordinated by UNESCO-IHE. 

For more information and application please visit the Rotary Scholarships for Water and Sanitation Professionals page.