MINELRES: ERRC Scholarships for Romani Students of Law and/or Public Administration 2003-2004 Academic Year

[European Roma Rights Center]

ERRC Scholarships for Romani Students of Law and/or Public
Administration 2003-2004 Academic Year

Overview

The European Roma Rights Center (ERRC) offers scholarships to eligible
Romani students of law and/or public administration. Romani students of
law and/or public administration who are eligible will (a) have been
accepted at a recognized university in their home country or country of
residence as a first year student in the fall of 2003 or (b) already be
enrolled at such a university in the second or higher years. They will
further meet the application criteria set down in the list under
"application procedure". Beginning in the 2003-2004 academic year, the
ERRC will not consider applications Romani students of law and public
administration from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia,
Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and Slovakia (if you are a Romani student
of law or public administration from one of these countries, please see
below).

ERRC Scholarships normally cover tuition at accredited universities,
books and fees, and miscellaneous expenses related to higher education.
In exceptional cases, the ERRC will also cover the partial or full costs
of accommodation. Criteria for selection include academic promise and a
demonstrated intention and/or track record of human rights work. The
ERRC takes financial need seriously and will weigh genuine need in
deciding on awards. Scholarships are awarded for one year. Successful
recipients are not guaranteed scholarships for the following years of
study. The applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis.

Application procedure

Each candidate for ERRC scholarship should submit the following:

1. A personal statement/letter of motivation by the applicant of
300-500 words, preferably in English;
2. A certificate from an accredited higher education institution: a)
confirming that the applicant is enrolled for the current academic year;
b) specifying the size of tuition and exam fees for the current academic
year (if applicable); and c) the applicant�s grades from the previous
academic year (first-year students should please submit secondary school
leaving exam scores and/or final year secondary school marks);
3. CV, stating the applicant�s record of volunteerism and/or social
activism;
4. Name, title, and contact number/ address of at least two persons who
can recommend the applicant. This may include secondary school teachers,
university professors, local community leaders, or others.

Applicants from poor backgrounds are encouraged to indicate as much in
the personal statement document. The ERRC also encourages such persons
to submit proof of their financial need, such as official documents
indicating that one or both parents are unemployed, etc.

At some point during the scholarship period, recipients of ERRC
scholarships are expected to:

1. Perform human rights outreach work in Romani communities; and/or
2. Perform a human rights internship at the ERRC; and/or
3. Participate in ERRC workshops and trainings.

Scholarship applications will be considered once per year. Payment of
scholarship fees will be transferred in two instalments, the second one
following certification of enrolment for the second semester. ERRC
awards generally do not exceed 1000 USD/student/year.

The deadline for the 2003-2004 academic year is October 6, 2003.
Applications not submitted by this date will be considered ineligible
for funding.

Note: there is no application form; please follow the guidelines above.

Applications should be sent to:

ERRC Scholarships
H-1386 Budapest 62
PO Box 906/93
Hungary

Fax: +36 1 41 32 201 (to the attention of "ERRC Scholarships")
E-mail to: scholarships@errc.org

***

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning in the 2003-2004 academic year, the ERRC will no
longer fund scholarships for Romani students of law and public
administration in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania,
Serbia and Montenegro and Slovakia due to an arrangement whereby the
Open Society Institute will provide such scholarships. Romani students
of law and public administration from these countries who wish to apply
for scholarship support should contact:

RMUSP
OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE
H-1051 BUDAPEST
OKTOBER 6 UTCA 12.
HUNGARY
Fax: ++ 36 1 327 3117
E-mail: rmusp@osi.hu

Please note: the pre-application deadlines for OSI scholarships is July
5, 2003.

_____________________________________________

The European Roma Rights Center is an international public interest law
organisation which monitors the rights of Roma and provides legal defence
in cases of human rights abuse. For more information about the European
Roma Rights Center, visit the ERRC on the web at http://www.errc.org.

European Roma Rights Center
1386 Budapest 62
P.O. Box 906/93
Hungary


Phone: +36 1 4132200
Fax:   +36 1 4132201

_____________________________________________

SUPPORT THE ERRC!

The European Roma Rights Center is dependent upon the generosity of
individual donors for its continued existence. If you believe the ERRC
performs a service valuable to the public, please join in enabling its
future with a contribution. Gifts of all sizes are welcome; bank transfers 
are preferred. Please send your contribution to:

European Roma Rights Center
Account holder: European Roma Rights Center
Bank�s name:    Budapest Bank Rt.
Account number: 99P00402686
(IBAN:          HU21-10103173-40268600-00000998)
Bank�s address: B�thori utca 1, H-1054 Budapest, Hungary


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