The European Commission launched the EU Scholarships III Programme on 11 November 2008 and is offering 200 scholarships for Turkish Cypriots for the academic year 2009/10.
Recipients will receive a grant of EUR15.000 to cover fees and living expenses.
Scholarships will be available both for undergraduate and for postgraduate studies (e.g. Masters, PhD studies). Studying at any undergraduate or postgraduate programme in any University of another Member State (26 Countries) is possible within the framework of this programme.
The EU Scholarship III Programme gives Turkish Cypriot University students, graduates and teachers the opportunity of improving themselves in their specific technical fields as well as of providing them with the experience of living in a different country and culture within the EU.
A website with detailed information on how to apply, where to study and how to get further information has been prepared exclusively for the EU Scholarships III programme. Application forms may also be downloaded from the website:. www.benavrupadaokumakistiyorum.eu. A PR campaign to provide information and raise awareness on the programme is under way.
The call for expression of interest and the application packages are available on the official website: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome (please select under region/country “Cyprus”, tick type “grants” and status “open”, published after 11/11/2008 and press “search” to obtain the open Calls for Proposals).
The deadline for submission of applications is 25 February 2009, 18:00 Cyprus time.
The European Commission is organising an Information seminar on Tuesday, 18th November 2008 at the EU Programme Support Office, 38-44 Girne cad. Nicosia, at 18.00 hrs, where participants will have the opportunity to address their specific questions.
All Turkish Cypriot University Students, Graduates, Teachers as well as parents are invited to attend the seminar.
The scholarships are financed from the European Union Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. The EU Scholarship programme has been running for three consecutive academic years, i.e. 2007/2008, 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 and its total value amounts to € 5 million. Last year scholarships were awarded to 122 students and teachers. Most of these grantees have already started their courses in a different Member State.
