Professional Development Scholarship Program (PDSP)
Invitation for the presentation of scholarship proposals
OAS/DHD-CAR.087/2008
The Department of Human Development of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) is pleased to invite OAS Member States, OAS Permanent Observers, regional and international organizations, public and private agencies, philanthropic and commercial institutions, institutes of higher learning, and other areas of the General Secretariat to participate in its 2008 Professional Development Scholarship Program. This is the second call for course offers for the 2008 Professional Development Scholarship cycle.
Background
The Professional Development Scholarship Program offers opportunities to citizens of OAS Member States to expand or refresh their professional expertise in areas of specialization related to the priority development areas of the OAS as outlined in the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) Strategic Plan for Partnership for Integral Development 2006-2009.
OAS Member States have approved the following priority areas:
- Education
- Social Development and Creation of Productive Employment
- Economic Diversification and Integration, Trade Liberalization and Market Access
- Scientific Development and Exchange and Transfer of Technology
- Strengthening of Democratic Institutions
- Sustainable Development of Tourism
- Sustainable Development and the Environment
- Culture
New Manual of Procedures and selection criteria
In compliance with the new Manual of Procedures for the Scholarship and Training Programs of the Organization of American States adopted by CEPCIDI in April, 2007, all course offers are submitted to the Professional Development Course Selection Committee, whose members are appointed by the OAS Secretary General.
Course selection
The courses offered shall be selected based on the following criteria and budgetary availability:
- the objectives and areas for action of the Strategic Plan and the priorities established by CEPCIDI;
- the training priorities of the OAS member states;
- the credentials of the host institution and of the program experts;
- the level of demand for the course;
- the course evaluation in those instances where the course has been previously selected for OAS scholarships;
- geographic and linguistic distribution among offering institutions; and
- duration and cost-benefit of the course.
Please be advised that:
- The “Form for the Presentation of Scholarship Proposals” has been revised;
- All the required fields need to be completed;
- Incomplete forms / documents will not be considered by the Course Selection Committee;
- he attached Schedule for the 2008 Professional Development Scholarship Program should be taken into consideration when submitting scholarship proposals;
- Offering institutions whose courses are selected will be requested to sign a Letter of Agreement with the GS/OAS DHD to set out a basis for mutual cooperation.
Course announcement
After the Professional Development Course Selection Committee has selected the courses that will be offered in the 2008 Professional Development Scholarship Program, the OAS Department of Human Development will publish course announcements inviting eligible candidates to compete for the number of scholarships available.
Please be advised that:
- Offering institutions should approve the draft text of the course announcement for Professional Development Scholarship opportunities no later than 3 days after DHD sends it to the course coordinator, in order for DHD to publish the announcement well within the timetable for submission of applications;
- Failure to approve the draft text of the course announcement in time may result in the offering institution having to change the dates of (postpone) the course, for DHD will not be able to publish the announcement for the submission of applications for OAS Professional Development Scholarships, if applicants are not offered the time (within 60 days from the date of the on-line announcement) mandated in article 23.3 of the Manual of Procedures.
Selection of scholarship awardees
The OAS scholarships shall be granted based on the following criteria:
- the objectives and priorities established in the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Development 2006-2009;
- the training priorities of the member states;
- the merits and overall credentials of the candidate, including his/her academic and professional background;
- the financial need of the candidate; and
- An extensive and equitable geographic distribution for the benefit of all Member states and that takes into account the greater needs of the smaller and relatively less developed economies.
Please be advised that:
- Citizens of the country where the course is being offered are not eligible for participation in courses offered in their own country.
Professional Development scholarships are awarded through a competitive selection by the Ad-Hoc Professional Development Scholarship Selection Committee. This Committee will be composed by one representative appointed by the institution that is offering the Professional Development Scholarship course, (i.e., usually the course coordinator), and two representatives of the General Secretariat who are appointed by the Secretary General. The offering institution may be represented by a staff member of the Permanent Mission of the OAS Member or Observer State in which the offering institution is located, if the offering institution so agrees in writing. It is the responsibility of the training institution to provide the OAS with the general requirements for each course and, if applicable, those of a specific nature that candidates should also meet.
Cost-sharing Program
The Professional Development Scholarship Program is normally a cost-sharing program between the OAS and Governments of Member States, Observer States, regional and international organizations, public and private agencies, philanthropic and commercial institutions, or institutes of higher learning in OAS Member or Observer States.
Financing is often the decisive factor in making high-impact, professional development training accessible to qualified candidates. OAS Professional Development Scholarships are financed as follows:
- Where on-site attendance is required, the OAS normally provides round trip tickets (economy class) and logistical support for international travel to and from the country of residence to the training site.
- In the case of distance learning programs, the OAS may cover a percentage of the tuition or cost of round trip ticket if on-site attendance is a requirement for part of the course.
- The offering institution and/or sponsoring Member or Observer State cover(s) the costs of registration, tuition, books and/or materials, local transportation, room and board, and health and accident insurance coverage.
- The employer or sponsoring institution of the scholarship recipient provides paid leave of absence for the duration of the course and, where required, covers additional costs associated with in-transit expenses (i.e. room, board and local transportation during overnight stays).
Benefits of the Program
These unique training and educational opportunities help to meet the development needs of OAS Member States by providing a vital investment in human capital. Participants return to their home countries and pass what they have learned on to others, thus maximizing the benefits of the program. In this way, the Professional Development Scholarship Program helps the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) meet the goals embodied in the CIDI Strategic Plan for Partnership for Development 2006 -2009.
We hope you will consider this opportunity to contribute to international cooperation and capacity development in the region. Given the requirement to budget the necessary funds for international travel and other costs related to these scholarships and in view of the time required to review and select from among the valuable offers received from different countries and institutions, we kindly request that co-financing offers for slots in the courses you have identified be submitted to this Department no later than February 15th, 2008.
We thank you in advance for your offer of training as part of our Professional Development Scholarship Program and look forward to a successful partnership with you.
Please contact Lucrecia Zea-Yonker, Professional Development Program Officer, at LZeaYonker@oas.org or PSDF@oas.org if you need more information or if you would like to send additional information with your completed “Form for Presentation of Scholarships Proposals”.
For your convenience, please click and fill out the following Form for Presentation of Professional Development Scholarships