Rotary Global Grant Scholarships for Academic Year 2027-2028

Local Chapters Announce 2027-28 Rotary Global Scholarship Competition 

Local Application Deadline: Monday, September 21st, 2026 

The Rotary Clubs of Albemarle County, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Charlottesville are excited to announce the start of the 2026 selection process for the 2027-28 Rotary Global Scholarship Program. Scholarships of approximately $40,000 are awarded to support a year of graduate study outside the United States. Rotary Global Scholarships are designated for dedicated individuals who are committed to addressing global challenges in one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus: 

• PEACE AND CONFLICT PREVENTION/RESOLUTION
• DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
• WATER AND SANITATION
• MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
• BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY
• ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
• SUPPORTING THE ENVIRONMENT

REQUIREMENTS 

• Nominees must either have a permanent residence in our local area or be a current student at a College/University within our community. 
• Scholarships will be awarded for graduate study in a degree program to individuals who demonstrate commitment to community service and excellent leadership skills and with a proven track record in their field of study or vocation. 
• Candidates must travel abroad for study, live in a foreign host Rotary district while studying, and must either be proficient in the language of the host country or study in a graduate degree program taught in English in their host country. 
• Candidates cannot be the children or grandchildren of current Rotarians. 
• Scholars must be starting a new program, not continuing with an existing graduate degree program. Scholarships may NOT be used for graduate studies that are already underway. 

LOCAL APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS: 

Rotary Global Grant Scholarships are funded by Rotary District 7610 funds matched by The Rotary International Foundation. Applicants must first apply to their local rotary club within District 7610. Local chapters review the applications, conduct interviews, and then submit nominees to the District level. Three Local Rotary Clubs – Albemarle County, Blue Ridge Mountains and Charlottesville – will host ONE local competition of interested applicants. Interested applications must complete the following steps at the local level to be considered for a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship: 

1. Submit your Application: Please make sure you complete all sections of the application form and attach all supplemental documentation. Complete application submissions should include 

• Application form available here 
• an updated resume/CV, and 
• an unofficial transcript from the College/University from which the applicant will graduate. 
• NOTE: If you have been admitted to a graduate program already, please include a copy of your letter of admission. 

Completed application packages must be submitted to the following email address by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, September 21st to be considered: GlobalRotaryScholarsVA@gmail.com. No applications received after the deadline will be considered. 

2. Participate in Local Interview Process: Applicants will receive an email from the local chapters confirming receipt of their application and an invitation to interview with the local review committee. All interviews will take place in-person on October 15, 2026 (NEW DATE!) in Charlottesville, VA. Any students who will not be physically present in Charlottesville on that day will be able to interview virtually during these dates. Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes, and candidates will have the opportunity to sign up for their designated interview time in advance. 

DISTRICT 7610 GLOBAL ROTARY SCHOLAR SELECTION TIMELINE FOR 2026-27 SCHOLARSHIP YEAR 

The Local Review Committee will submit their top nominees to the Rotary District 7610 for further consideration. Those nominees will be interviewed by the District Review Committee on October 30th and all final decisions will be communicated to applicants by November 3, 2026. Over the last 13 years, our District alone has awarded 36 scholarships totaling $1,686,000. 

The following process flow and timeline will be important for candidates that advance to the District level and are selected for the 2026-27 Global Rotary Scholars cohort: 

2026-27 Selection Timeline for Scholarship Year 2027-28 

• August 10: Albemarle County/Blue Ridge Mountain/Charlottesville Tri-Club Local Application Process is Open. Application form available here 
• August 28: Information Session for Prospective Scholarship Applicants [Recording of Meeting can be found here.] 
• September 21: Tri-Club Local Application deadline (all applications and required supplemental materials must be sent to GlobalRotaryScholarsVA@gmail.com by 11:59 p.m. ET. 
• October 15: Local interviews with Albemarle/Blue Ridge Mountain/Charlottesville Tri-Club Review Committee 
• October 20: Tri-Club Review Committee will submit its nominees to District 7610 
• October 30: District nominee interviews via Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided to the finalists prior to their interview. 
• November 3: Deadline for communicating District decisions to all applicants 
• December 1: Applicants apply for admission to their planned institution by this date, send final graduate programs to RGS Chair 
• February 1: Selected candidates submit (to RGS Chair) proof of acceptance into their program at host institution abroad 
• February 15: Selected candidate’s complete scholar profile with Rotary International 
• March 15: Anticipated date for final confirmation of award from Rotary International 

RESOURCES FOR APPLICANTS: 

• Global Grant Scholarship PowerPoint Presentation for Applicants, CLICK HERE 
• Areas of Focus Policy Statements CLICK HERE 

Contact Local Tri-Club Rotary Committee Chair Serena Lowe at GlobalRotaryScholarsVA@gmail.com if you have any additional questions.