Table of contents
- WorldWide Studies project mission
- Grants
- Fields of study
- Universities
- Commitments of Project Participants
- General Terms of the Competition
- Requirements for Candidates
- Selection Panel
- Preliminary application to the Foundation
- Grant application
- Grant agreement
General provisions
World Wide Studies is an educational initiative of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, aimed at fostering a new generation of Ukrainian professional elites.
The project provides financial and information support to Ukrainian citizens aged 35 or under, who thrive to get education in the world's best universities in the fields, which the Foundation considers as top priority for the future development of Ukraine.
In 2009-2010 the pilot project will provide students, who will be selected in the course of an open nation-wide competition, with grants to study at Master`s programs in the selected Universities starting in autumn 2010. The number of grant-winners will be 20-30 people.
1. World Wide Studies Project mission
1.1. The mission of the project is to create a new generation of the professional elite in the fields of economy, social and political life, which are of top priority for Ukraine.
1.2. Within the framework of the project we support the talented Ukrainian youth in their desire to get modern education in the world's best universities and apply the acquired knowledge for the benefit of Ukraine, increase its long-term competitiveness when facing with the challenges of the 21th century.
1.3. Our aim is to create a community of professionals, who will become drivers of positive changes in the key industries of the country.
1.4. We are looking forward to develop international dialogue, which will foster exchange of global knowledge and experience, and lead to positive changes in Ukraine and in the world.
2. Grants
2.1. In the framework of the WorldWideStudies pilot project, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation provides grants to Ukrainian youth. Grants partially cover the costs of receiving a Master`s degree abroad.
2.2. The grant is provided in the form of specific philanthropic assistance. Its terms are defined by the acting legislation of Ukraine and by the agreement between the grant-winner and the Victor Pinchuk Foundation.
2.3. The grant will be given to the winners of the national competition.
2.4. The grant will cover the university fees, books and health insurance.
2.5. The amount of each grant will be set separately according to the needs and academic achievements of the student.
2.6. The majority of grants will cover up to 60 % of the necessary amount, but will not exceed 50 000 $ (or a corresponding equivalent in the currency of the country) for the whole period of studies (1-2 years).
2.7. Students will have to cover the rest on their own or find other matching financial resources (scholarships from universities and organizations).
3. Fields of Study
3.1. Grants are provided to students, who are eager to study in the fields, which the Foundation considers to be significant for the development of Ukraine.
3.2. The list of fields is formed before every competition cycle.
3.3. The selection criteria are based on the importance of the fields for the future development of Ukraine as well as on the need in top professionals in these fields.
3.4. Within the framework of the World Wide Studies pilot project the following fields are considered to be of the top priority for Ukraine at the moment:
3.4.1. Agriculture
3.4.2. Environment, ecology
3.4.3. Law
3.4.4. Public administration
4. Universities
4.1. Candidates should choose a University among the world’ best 200 universities listed in Times Higher Education THE — QS World University Rankings.
4.2. The Foundation reserves the right to recommend to the candidates the most appropriate Master`s programs/Universities within the chosen field of study.
4.3. The Foundation will give preference to the most interesting and innovative Master`s programs that will enable candidates’ career growth and promote Ukraine’s economic and social development.
4.4. The Foundation recommends candidates to scrutinize all available Master`s programs within the chosen field of study and to apply to several universities simultaneously. The high rating/acknowledgment of the University as a leader in the chosen field will be an advantage for receiving a grant.
4.5 Within its competences, the Foundation will provide candidates with available information on Master`s programs in the chosen fields.
5. Commitments of Project Participants
5.1. The World Wide Studies project participant- winner of the competition becomes entitled to a grant by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, and should make the following commitments in a bilateral agreement:
5.1.1. To achieve high academic results
5.1.2. To focus Master`s research on solving specific problems in Ukraine
5.1.3. To return to Ukraine after graduation abroad and to work in Ukraine
5.1.4. To make use of the acquired knowledge and skills for the benefit of Ukraine
5.1.5. To support future participants of the project World Wide Studies
5.2. If the candidate refuses to make these commitments, he/she will be no longer entitled to receive the grant.
6. General Terms of the Competition
6.1. The World Wide Studies project participants will be shortlisted in the course of an open nationwide competition. The competition has two stages. Receiving a grant in only possible through winning the World Wide Studies competition.
6.2. The first stage of the competition takes place in 2009; the candidates who submitted application forms through the project web-site are shortlisted by the project staff. Based on the results of the first stage, the Foundation makes a preliminary decision about shortlisting candidates as potential project participants.
6.3. The second stage is held in 2010; the winners of the competition are selected amongst the candidates- grant applicants. The decision is taken by a special independent Selection Panel.
6.4. The candidates can apply for grant in 2010 without submitting a preliminary application form to the project (i.e. skipping the first stage first stage). However, the Foundation reserves the right to give preference to those candidates, who participated in both stages of the competition.
6.5. The winners of the second stage of the competition receive grants based on the agreement signed with the Foundation, which includes mutual commitments.
7. Requirements for Candidates
7.1. In order to apply for a grant from the Foundation, candidate should:
7.1.1. Be citizen of Ukraine under the age of 35 at the moment of enrollment to a foreign university
7.1.2. Have a bachelor’s or higher degree in the field required by the chosen university and its Master`s program
7.1.3. Be enrolled in a foreign university and begin his/her Master`s studies in the fall of 2010
7.1.4. Have a clear vision how to apply the acquired knowledge and skills in Ukraine
7.1.5. Demonstrate the commitment to work in the chosen field in Ukraine
7.1.6. Have good knowledge of the language of instruction
8. Selection Panel
8.1. The Selection Panel of the project consists of representatives of the leading Ukrainian companies, human resource agencies, analytical centers, embassies of the countries of studies and other individuals who are able to make an unbiased selection of successful candidates, to assist in finding matching funds for the studies and to provide references to candidates in their future job placement in Ukraine.
9. Preliminary Application to the Foundation
9.1. The application for the participation in the project should be completed on-line on the WorldWideStudies website from June 15, 2009 until June 30, 2010.
9.2. The application should include the following:
9.2.1. General information on the candidate (citizen of Ukraine).
9.2.2. Information on the candidate’s education and professional achievements.
9.2.3. Information on the candidate’s plans to apply to the chosen universities/Master’s programs.
9.2.4. Information on the candidate’s eligibility for the chosen program (qualifications, test scores, professional experience).
9.2.5. An essay “Master’s program of my choice and how to make use of the acquired knowledge in Ukraine” written both in Ukrainian and in the language of instruction (up to 2000 signs).
9.3. In the cases when an application to the Master’s program requires tests or examinations to be taken (a language test, a qualification test, etc.), candidates should enclose their test scores into the application .
If this information is missing, the application will be rejected.
9.4. All information in the application form is considered as submitted by the applicant for the use in the selection process.
9.5. The Foundation reviews the applications, verifies the information provided, consults applicants if needed and makes a decision as to whether the application can be accepted.
Applicants are notified about the decision in writing within a term of no more than 15 days from the application deadline, i.e. by September 30, 2009.
9.6. The decision made to accept an application is preliminary and it just assesses whether the applicant is formally eligible for the project, i.e.:
9.6.1. if the chosen program conforms to the field of study defined by the project
9.6.2. if the candidate’s qualifications meet the admission requirements of the chosen universities
9.6.3. if the test scores meet the admission requirements of the chosen programs
9.6.4. if the candidate has a clear vision how to apply the acquired knowledge in Ukraine
9.7. The Foundation’s preliminary decision is not a public offer or any other kind of commitment and cannot be used as a payment guarantee.
9.8. Candidates may use the preliminary written decision as a reference material or information by adding it to the package of application documents submitted to the university. At the candidate’s request, the Foundation can provide an authentic copy of the preliminary decision in English.
9.9. In cases where a grant is received, the information included in the application can be provided to the financial bodies, the mass media or it can be used to inform the general public about the competition results in accordance with the legislation and to an extent and in the form which will not violate the privacy rights of any applicant.
10. Grant Application
10.1. Grant application should be submitted within a term from March 2010 until July 2010.
10.2. The candidates who submitted their application for the participation in the project should re-apply for grant by updating the application form on the project website.
10.3. The candidates who did not submit an application for the participation in the project should apply by completing the form available on the project website.
10.4. The grant application should include the following:
10.4.1. official confirmation of the applicant’s admission to the chosen university;
10.4.2. official university data on the full cost of the Master’s programme (including tuition fee, accommodation, meals, books and medical insurance) and terms and forms of payments;
10.4.3. official university information on the given financial aid;
10.4.4. information on funds provided by the applicant’s employer, family or applicant’s own funds.
10.5. In cases when the candidate is admitted to two or more universities, he/she should indicate preferences in the grant application.
10.6. The Foundation reserves the right to turn down the grant application or refuse to consider it in the following cases:
10.6.1. the application fails to meet the formal selection criteria of the project
10.6.2. the Master’s program curriculum fails to meet the requirements
10.6.3. the Master’s program fails to comply with the priorities of the project
10.6.4. none of the universities selected by the applicant is included in the list of the 200 top universities according to The Times Higher Education
10.6.5. the candidate’s age and citizenship fail to meet the terms of the competition
10.6.6. the candidate’s financial need exceeds the amount of a grant under the project’s terms.
10.7. Candidates should enclose a plan of their studies into their application and describe how they will make use of the acquired knowledge in Ukraine
10.8. The applications which are not turned down for reasons provided in 10.6. will be reviewed by a special independent Selection panel of the project. The candidates who submit these applications will receive an invitation to an interview with the Selection panel. A candidate who does not come to an interview without prior agreement with the Foundation will be deprived of the right to receive a grant.
10.9. Based on an interview, the Selection panel makes final decision on grant award using the following criteria:
10.9.1. The candidate’s academic and professional achievements at the moment of submitting the application
10.9.2. Personal achievements /candidate’s contribution to Ukraine’s development in the relevant field (publications, research, launch of innovative projects, personal patents and inventions etc.)
10.9.3. Solid grounds for the candidate’s personal and professional objectives, convincing arguments and a clear vision how to apply the acquired knowledge and skills in Ukraine.
10.9.4. High standards/reputation of the chosen Masters program and the university
10.9.5. The candidate’s support by the current or potential employer in Ukraine
10.9.6. The possibility to raise more funds needed for the candidate’s study from other sources
10.10. A candidate will be notified about the Selection panel’s decision by a letter and via the mass media within a term of no more than 5 days after the last interview.
11. Grant Agreement
11.1. The grant agreement between the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and the applicant is made in accordance with the Ukrainian legislation in the form of an agreement of targeted charity aid, i.e. it sets forth the grantee’s full compliance with all the requirements. The failure to comply with at least one of the terms of the agreement can be treated as misuse of targeted charity aid and can serve as a reason for returning the aid to the Foundation.
11.2. The agreement must include the following terms for the grantees:
11.2.1. their studies at the Master’s program approved by the Foundation;
11.2.2. their studies in the form and within the terms which are standard for this program;
11.2.3. their compliance with all the academic requirements of the university for the chosen program as well as excellent performance throughout the whole course;
11.2.4. their use of the funds in accordance with the Foundation’s proposal;
11.2.5. availability of matching funds to fully cover educational and living expenses abroad;
11.2.6. return to Ukraine no later than a month after completing the studies;
11.2.7. employment in the chosen field in Ukraine for no less than 5 years after return to Ukraine;
11.2.8. consent to share experience with future project participants who are interested in a similar program.
11.3. The essential provisions of the agreement are:
11.3.1. the description of the goal of financial aid and the ways it is used
11.3.2. the description of the Master’s program for which the candidate needs financial aid
11.3.3. the amount of the targeted financial aid
11.3.4. the validity of an agreement and the terms of giving financial aid
11.3.5. obligations of the parties and the consequences of the failure to meet them
11.3.6. tax regime for the given aid
11.3.7. the purpose and payment schedule
11.3.8. requirements for the grantee’s performance and ways of monitoring their performance during the course of studies
11.3.9. grantee’s reporting
11.3.10. notification system concerning the given aid
11.3.11. settlement of disputes