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The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college scholarships. The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. The 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is the qualifying test for entry to the 2013 National Merit Program.

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Victoria University of Wellington are offering a Master of Science (MSc) scholarship in the field of molecular systematics at Victoria University of Wellington. The purpose of the award is to promote research between Te Papa and Victoria University in the area of molecular systematics, ecology and evolution. A standard MSc degree at Victoria University is undertaken over two years. The first year involves three papers and a Research Preparation project. The second year comprises the research thesis, worth 60% of the total degree. The Te Papa-VUW scholarship provides the successful applicant with a student stipend of $4000 in part 1 (2012) and $6000 in part 2 (2013). It is also possible to take a MSc by thesis alone if a BSc(Hons) or equivalent has already been completed. The stipend in such cases is $5000 for the one year.

The International Dissertation Research Fellowship (IDRF) offers nine to twelve months of support to graduate students in the humanities and social sciences who are enrolled in doctoral programs in the United States and conducting dissertation research outside of the United States. IDRF promotes research that is situated in a specific discipline and geographical region but is also informed by interdisciplinary and cross-regional perspectives. Research topics may address all periods in history, but applicants should be alert to the broader implications of their research as it relates to contemporary issues and debates. Seventy-five fellowships are awarded annually. Fellowship amounts vary depending on the research plan, with a per-fellowship average of $19,000. The fellowship includes participation in an SSRC-funded interdisciplinary workshop upon the completion of IDRF-funded research.

The Renaissance College Hong Kong (RCHK) provides scholarship program in the field of Arts, Sports, Music/Drama and other Academic subject for students who have the potential to fulfill the challenging requirements of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Students at Renaissance College share an academic experience that emphasises critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and exposure to many different points of view. The goal is to provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgment, make wise choices, and respect others within the global community. The language of instruction at the college is English.

The recent global recession has brought immigration and integration issues back into the spotlight, especially in Europe and the United States. Yet, with media outlets facing drastic job and budget cuts, it has become more challenging for journalists to undertake in-depth or investigative reporting projects on immigration. With the generous support of the Ford Foundation, the French-American Foundation is launching the Immigration Journalism Fellowship. This first of its kind Fellowship aims to provide media professionals with the financial means to produce objective and challenging material on one of the most heated and controversial contemporary issues. To that end, the French-American Foundation will award fellows up to $10,000 for their work, to be completed over a 4-6 month period. The fellowship is open to experienced journalists of any nationality and with an interest in questions of immigration and integration. The French American Foundation will pay special attention to innovative and groundbreaking material. We are looking for visionary, uncovered and meaningful stories with the potential to advance public debate. Both creative content and format will draw our particular attention. All types of stories will be considered (local, global, cultural, economic, etc.), as long as they comply with journalism ethics of fairness and responsibility.

The EMBL International PhD Programme is characterised by EMBL’s commitment to first class training, internationality, dedicated mentoring and early independence in research. Originally established in 1983, the programme is designed to provide EMBL PhD students with the best starting platform for a successful career in science and is considered to be one of the most competitive PhD training schemes to enter. he EBI provides a highly interdisciplinary environment in which research and service provision are closely interwoven. With its collaborative research and involvement with coordinated efforts to collect and disseminate biological data, the EBI holds a prominent position in bioinformatics on a global scale. It has particularly close contacts with European industry. The EBI is located on the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, 11 miles south of Cambridge, which it shares with the Wellcome Trust’s Sanger Institute. All EBI PhD students are registered through the EMBL International PhD Programme and receive their PhDs from the University of Cambridge.

It may please be noted that nomination made by the UGC does not automatically guarantee selection or placement in UK and final selection of candidates rest with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in United Kingdom. It may be noted that for 12 months study in the United Kingdom on Split-site basis must be made in the context of a department/institutional link with a UK University already in operation or currently under negotiation. Candidates will have the option of one full 12 months period of study or two six month periods with a period not greater than their home Ph.d at the time of application will be eligible to spend a maximum of six months in the UK in the first year f their studies.

Monsanto’s Beachell–Borlaug International Scholars program is for a Ph.D. in the field of recognizing the importance of rice and wheat in global food security: Plant Breeding and Genetics for students from developing and other countries. Monsanto’s Beachell–Borlaug International Scholars program provides a full package of support, including a generous student stipend, tuition, applicable fees, health insurance, research fees and travel, as well as funds for the collaborating institution and advising professor, supports projects that allow the student to develop advanced breeding techniques, as well as experience conducting at least one season of field work in a developing country.

Clarendon Fund provides Graduate Scholarships for applicants of all nationality in University of Oxford, 2012 UK in the field of any subject. Clarendon Scholarships are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic merit and potential to graduate students from all around the world. Scholarships are tenable in all subject areas and open to candidates who will be starting a new course. All applicants for graduate study at the University of Oxford are eligible. Clarendon scholars come from all continents in the world: from the USA to Australia, Venezuela to Vietnam and from Norway to Nigeria. Candidates applying to start a new graduate course at Oxford are eligible.

A course of study at the FMI leading to a PhD degree of the University of Basel typically lasts 4 years.The leader of the research group is the main supervisor. In addition, PhD students are supported by a Thesis Committee of university professors and experts chosen by the student. The FMI provides financial support to graduate students in accordance with the scale of the Swiss National Science Foundation. Income is generous relative to international standards for PhD students.