(NASSAU, BAHAMAS) — Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and The Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation are now accepting online applications for academic and technical training and vocational scholarships for study at approved institutions in the U.S., Canada, the UK and the Caribbean.

All applications must be made through the Foundations’ website, http://www.lyfordcayfoundation.org.
     
Applicants must be Bahamian citizens and pledge to return to The Bahamas upon completion of their studies.
     
The deadline for all scholarship applications is March 31, 2013.
     
General academic scholarships are available at undergraduate, graduate and doctorate levels for study in areas considered to be valuable to the economic needs of The Bahamas. These include: agriculture and horticulture sciences and management, the arts, economics, education (specialised fields, secondary and STEM subjects), engineering (specialised fields), financial services, foreign languages, hospitality and tourism management, information technology, marine and environmental sciences, mathematics, and sciences (biology, chemistry and physics).
     
Additional eligible fields of study at the graduate level — some of which have been introduced for the first time this year — are as follows: educational leadership and school administration; international business, library and information sciences; nursing (specialised fields); physical, occupational, speech and language therapy; public health and hospital management; school and college admission counseling, and school psychology.
     
New this year is the Solmssen Templeton Scholarship, for students studying for an advanced or specialty degree in jurisprudence (the study, knowledge, science and philosophy of law) – i.e. Master of Law, LL.M., S.J.D., Ph.D. or D.Phil. in Law. (Study for an LL.B. or J.D. will not be considered under this award.) Eligible fields of study are: Admiralty, Shipping and/or Aviation Law; Arbitration and Mediation; Environmental Law; Information Technology Law; International Financial Services and Securities Regulation; Maritime Law; Taxation and International Tax Compliance, and Trust and Estate Planning.
     
Technical training and vocational scholarships are designed for individuals who wish to earn an Associate’s degree, Certification, Specialisation or Diploma in areas where there is a shortage of well-qualified Bahamians in the work force. The minimum course of study is six months. Generally, the maximum length of an eligible course is three years, but consideration will also be given to applicants pursing specific career and occupational programmes that may extend beyond that period.
     
The approved fields of study for technical scholarships have also been refined, and now include: agriculture, horticulture and fisheries technology; air conditioning and refrigeration; allied health care and technology; automotive, marine and aviation mechanics and technology; computer service technology; construction and related trades (including electrical, carpentry, plumbing, painting and masonry); the culinary arts; engineering technology; heavy equipment operations; hospitality and tourism studies; machine shop and welding, and quantity surveying technology.
     
Foundation awards are worth from $7,500 to $12,500 per year.
     
Scholarships are renewable annually, provided that a certain level of performance is maintained. As part of the renewal process, successful applicants are required to show proof of having contributed a minimum of 20 hours each year to volunteer projects and / or service organisations.
     
Independent, non-partisan Screening Committees comprised of prominent citizens in the fields of education, government and the private sector are responsible for making award recommendations. In addition to academic performance, the Committee considers an applicant’s financial need, personal qualities — including his or her leadership skills and contribution to the community — as well as the caliber and cost of the institution he or she wishes to attend.
     
The Foundations also offer scholarships for study at The College of The Bahamas. These are primarily need-based, and all applications and screening take place through the College. For more information please contact the COB Financial Aid office or visit http://www.cob.edu.bs/.
     
Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and The Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation were established by members of the Lyford Cay Club in 1969 and 1977 respectively. Their mission is to increase the availability of educational opportunities for Bahamians and to support local non-profit groups through financial contributions and volunteer initiatives. To date, they have awarded $17.6 million in undergraduate, graduate and technical training scholarships to Bahamians studying overseas; $3.7 million in scholarships to Bahamians attending The College of The Bahamas, and $16.6 million in grants to local charities and civic organisations.
     
For additional information about the Foundations’ educational awards, and to apply, please visit http://www.lyfordcayfoundation.org/.