Scholarship - Global Grant Scholarship

The world has no shortage of problems. To focus Rotary club's efforts, The Rotary Foundation has identified areas where the Rotary can contribute to lasting change. These specific causes, known as the 7 Areas of Focus, help us align our local work and maximize our global impact.

Click here to apply for the D6270 Global Grant Scholarship

D6270's Global Grant Scholars Share Their Experience

2023/24 Global Grant Scholar Brigitte Potter Blog - London Brig
2022/23 Global Grant Scholar Alaina Eckert Website/Blog - The MissAdventures of a Female Scientist
2019/20 Global Grant Scholar Leif van Grinsven Blog - Better World. Better You (Leif's blog is no longer published)
2018/19 Global Grant Scholar Ciara J Mchugh Blog - Leaps & Bounds
2013/14 Global Grant Scholar Nora Kennelly Paper - Reflections

Leif Van Grinsven Global Grant Scholar Interview

Have you ever wondered about the real-world impact of Rotary’s Global Grant Scholarship program? Leif Van Grinsven, District 6270’s Global Grant Scholar for 2019/20, offers a shining example. A native of Cudahy, Wisconsin, and a graduate of Wheaton College, Leif was a stellar academic and a three-time All-American in Track and Field. His Rotary Global Grant Scholarship supported his pursuit of a Master’s degree in Development Studies at the University of Sussex, UK.

Since completing his degree, Leif has worked with global organizations like the United Nations and the World Health Organization, applying his skills to create sustainable development solutions. His journey has taken him to Rwanda and Malawi, where his focus on economic development is creating tangible, positive change.

Rotary’s influence on Leif’s career is clear. In a video, he shares insights into his work and offers best-practice tips for those considering applying for a Global Grant Scholarship. If the video does not launch for you, click here.

Leif is also available for virtual presentations to Rotary clubs, offering a deeper dive into his work and how the Global Grant Scholarship has been instrumental in his achievements. He can be contacted at leif.vangrinsven@gmail.com. Remember to account for the time difference (7 hours ahead during CDT, 8 hours during CST).

This article was written in collaboration with Larry Myers from the Rotary Club of Elmbrook.

Jamie Constantine (Oshkosh, WI) - 2024-25 Global Grant Scholarship Receipent

Rotary International District 6270 is pleased to announce that The Rotary Foundation has named Jamie Constantine a Global Grant Scholarship recipient for 2024-2025, awarding her $30,000 toward a master’s degree in global development from SOAS University in London.

Ms. Constantine is a graduate of Oshkosh West High School in Oshkosh and received her collegiate undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Although born and raised in the Midwest, she has had unique opportunities to explore the world as a student and global citizen in China, Ecuador, Cuba, and Mexico.

Constantine’s objectives for the Rotary Global Grant Scholarship are to improve the economic well-being of poor, low-income, and underserved communities (particularly immigrant and refugee populations) through pursuing a Master of Science (MSc) in Global Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, England. SOAS is ranked #2 in the world for development studies. She will learn from expert staff how to approach the world’s most pressing issues of poverty and insecurity. During her year-long graduate studies, she will reside at the Goodenough College in London.

The scholarship is provided with funds from Rotary International District 6270, matched 80% by the World Fund of Rotary International. The World Fund is the primary funding source for global grants which support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary’s areas of focus. By working together to respond to real community needs, Rotary clubs and districts strengthen their global partnerships.

Reacting to her award, Ms. Constantine states, “I’m thrilled to be the recipient of District 6270’s Global Grant Scholarship. I look forward to becoming an active participant within Rotary spaces and building community with the Rotary Club of Harrow!” Earlier this month, Emory University in Atlanta released a story regarding Jamie's Rotary International Global Grant Scholarship and Jamie's personal story.

The Host for this scholarship is the Rotary Club of Harrow in Rotary International District 1130, Rotary in London, United Kingdom. RI District 6270, the International Partner and primary financial provider of the scholarship, is comprised of 55 Rotary clubs and two Rotaract clubs in Southeast Wisconsin with nearly 2,500 members. Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Submitted on May 10, 2024 by Larry Myers (Elmbrook (Brookfield)), Chair of the RI District 6270 Scholarships Subcommittee (scholarshipchair@rotary6270.org).

Deadline: Jan 15, 2024 District's Global Grant Scholarship Application

This is a reminder that January 15 is the application deadline for the Rotary D-6270 Global Grant Scholarship intended for matriculation in the fall of 2024 or spring of 2025.

The amount of the scholarship is USD $30,000 and must be used for graduate school studies outside the United States. Applicants must be residents of the geographic area of D-6270 or currently attending an undergraduate or graduate school in the geographic area or have close connections to D-6270. In addition, a proposed program of study must closely align with one of Rotary’s seven “Areas of Focus.” Candidates are preferred who can demonstrate experience in, and commitment to, their chosen career path.

Deadlines are as follows:

January 15, 2024 – Complete Application Deadline (submit via email)

February 10, 2024 - In-Person or Zoom Interviews scheduled. An in-person interview is preferred.

February 19 , 2024 – Successful Scholar Notified (for matriculation in 2024-2025 academic year.)

Access the “Scholarships” page on the Rotary District 6270 website (https://rotary6270.org/page/scholarship-global-grant-application) for detailed information, the application form, and other supporting documents. Address any inquiries to Larry Myers, Chair of the D-6270 Scholarships Subcommittee (scholarshipchair@rotary6270.org OR lwmyers2@att.net).

Update from Brigitte Potter, Global Grant Scholarship Recipient

Sept 29, 2023 Update from Brigitte Potter, Global Grant Recipient

Just wanted to say a quick Hello!

This picture is from a Rotaract event I attended last night. It’s a small group that the leader is trying to get going so we had a brainstorming session with a pint. I also wanted to share the link to my blog for anyone who wants to follow along: brigittenpotter.wixsite.com/londonbrig

Brigitte Potter is a Masters student studying International Migration and Public Policy (IMPP) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for the 2023-2024 academic year. Follow her blog to keep up with her activities.

Brigitte Potter (Glendale, WI) - 2023-24 Global Grand Scholarship Receipent

Rotary International District 6270 is awarding a Global Grant Scholarship in the amount of $30,000 to Brigitte N. Potter of Glendale, Wisc. The grant has been approved by The Rotary Foundation with an 80% match of District Designated Funds (DDF) provided by the district.

Ms. Potter will use the grant to obtain a Master of Science degree in International Migration and Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom. She intends to focus on the issues surrounding refugees and forced migration. Her Rotary Area of Focus is “Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution.”

Ms. Potter is a graduate of UW-Milwaukee and

How his Global Grant Scholarship enabled Leif Van Grinsven from NCAA All-American Track Star to Africa

Leif Van Grinsven was the D-6270 Global Grant Scholar in 2019-2020. He is a product of Cudahy, Wisconsin, and a graduate of Wheaton College, where he not only excelled in academics but was also a three-time All-American in Track and Field. His Global Grant Scholarship resulted in a Master of Arts in Development Studies from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. After several short stints with the United Nations and the World Health Organization, he landed in Rwanda and then in Malawi, where his newly developed skills in economic development have produced great results.

In his own words, he reports the following. Small Farm Cities (SFC) has grown considerably. We have two sites, our development center, which acts as

Alaina Eckert - 2021/2022 Global Grant Scholarship Recipient

2021-2022 Global Grant Scholarship Recipient Announced

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Rotary International (RI) District 6270 is pleased to announce the selection of Alaina Eckert, Sussex, WI, as its Global Grant Scholarship recipient for 2021-2022.

Ms. Eckert is a graduate of Sussex Hamilton H.S. and of The University of Wisconsin—Madison. She has already begun a dual degree, Master of Science/Master of International Nature Conservation, in a cooperative

Global Grant Scholar Ciara McHugh establishes Belfast Rotaract Club

Global Grant Scholar Establishes Belfast Rotaract Club

Ciara McHugh was the District 6270 Global Grant Scholar for 2018-2019. She is approaching her third year of a Ph.D. research program, focusing on "how to ameliorate strained relationships between police and minority communities, specifically through visual technologies, and the ways in which gender paradigms can help overcome barriers between the two groups." Recently, Ciara was instrumental in establishing a new Rotaract Club at her school, Queen’s University Belfast. To read more about her adventures, read her blog, Leaps & Bounds.

Clearly, the RI Global Grant Scholarship program, the Interact clubs, and Rotary clubs throughout the world are having an impact in these days of COVID-19 (and beyond). Congratulations, Ciara, on your continued involvement in Rotary! Keep on keeping on!

Following is her report:

Early in the year, a group came together with the intention of creating a Rotaract chapter in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We were from a variety of disciplines, a range of countries, and each were introduced to Rotary in different ways. After a number of late-night brainstorming sessions at QUB's [Queen’s University Belfast’s] cafe (pre-lockdown, of course), we allocated board positions and made plans to get a Queen's University Belfast Rotaract Club off the ground.

Theo, a Belfast native and active Interactor, was chosen as president; Veja, who is from Slovakia, volunteered her experiences from her Scottish Rotaract days as Outreach chair; Anna, a Global Grant scholar from Wisconsin, became secretary; and I volunteered as treasurer.

Over the last few months, we've had to adjust our approaches and strategies to adapt to pandemic conditions. But, with ongoing support from the Belfast Rotary Club, our bi-weekly Zoom calls are full of the same energy and enthusiasm as those first brainstorming sessions. I'm pleased to say that our members have kept busy: with social distanced volunteering at Age-NI, donating energy bars to frontline and hospital workers, engaging with local racial-justice organizations, and organizing an online charity quiz to raise money for local pandemic efforts.

I'm honored to be a part of such an encouraging and engaged group of Rotaractors, and I look forward to expanding our outreach in the years to come.

Seventh Area of Focus Announced

Rotary Foundation Trustees & Rotary International Board of Directors Unanimously Approve Addition of Supporting the Environment as an Area of Focus

More than $18 million in Foundation global grant funding has been allocated to environment-related projects over the past five years. Creating a distinct area of focus to support the environment will give Rotary members even more ways to bring about positive change in the world and increase our impact.

RI President Mark Maloney says that during his travels around the world as a Rotary senior leader, he encountered many Rotary members and Rotaractors who advocated for the environment to be an area of focus.

“I believe strongly that our Rotary Foundation programs now have a valuable added dimension to our efforts,” says, Maloney.

Foundation Trustee Chair Gary C.K. Huang says that with the global population reaching near eight billion, protecting the environment is increasingly important.

“It is time for us to use our collective resources to invest in a smart and efficient way to protecting our environment,” says Huang. “We are qualified to take this initiative because we are a global group of problem solvers with diversified talents.”