OOrganization of American States (OAS)
Partially funded
OAS Academic Scholarship Program (Graduate)
Organization of American States (OAS), United States
Scholarship overview
The OAS Academic Scholarship Program funds graduate studies and graduate research for citizens and permanent residents of OAS Member States. Awards are complementary: they are not meant to cover 100% of expenses and depend on the availability of OAS funds.
Recipients study full time at a university in an OAS Member State other than their sponsoring country, which includes the United States. The OAS Consortium of Universities lists US institutions that offer partner arrangements, such as reduced tuition, including American University (School of International Service), Brandeis (Heller School and International Business School), Colorado State University, Duke University, Florida International University, Princeton University, Syracuse University, Tulane University, the University of Denver (Korbel School), the University of Miami and Yale University. Scope varies by institution.
Studies may be onsite, online or a combination, and online applications are prioritised in selection. Studies should fit the objectives and priorities of the OAS Comprehensive Strategic Plan.
Award Information
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of an OAS Member State.
- Hold a first university (bachelor's) degree by the time of application.
- Have a GPA above the minimum standard required by the university.
- Be able to study in the language of instruction at the host institution.
- Be in good physical and mental health to complete the programme.
- Study full time, for a minimum of one and a maximum of two academic years, at a university outside the applicant's sponsoring country.
- Medical Sciences and the learning of new languages are excluded.
- Return to and remain in the sponsoring country for at least 24 months after finishing the programme (online students agree to the same term).
- Each National Liaison Office (ONE) may add requirements.
- OAS staff, consultants, Permanent Mission staff and their relatives may apply six months after their employment or contract ends.
- Up to US $10,000 per academic year, applied in this priority order: tuition and mandatory fees; health insurance; monthly complementary subsistence allowance; roundtrip airfare; yearly books allowance.
- Some Consortium agreements add savings, for example a tuition discount at the Heller School (Brandeis), with OAS contributing up to US $10,000 towards remaining tuition and mandatory fees.
2026 graduate call (studies starting between January 1 and December 31, 2026):
- In-country pre-selection deadlines are set by each ONE.
- Citizens and permanent residents of the United States and Venezuela apply directly to the OAS; the online deadline was April 3, 2026.
- Results were published on the OAS scholarships site in June 2026, and first-year funds are paid in the second semester of 2026.
- Contact the ONE in your country to confirm its requirements and deadline.
- Complete the online application form on the OAS system.
- Scan all required documents in black and white into one legible PDF of no more than 8 MB and upload it. Incomplete applications are not considered.
- Send the application form and documents to your country's ONE as it directs. Contact the OAS scholarships team if no confirmation email arrives within 72 hours.
Official links
Documents you will need
- Online application form.
- Copy of the diploma for the highest degree obtained.
- Transcripts for the highest degree completed or in progress.
- Two recommendation letters, preferably from current or former professors (Recommendation Statement Form) or a former employer (Employer Recommendation Form). Letters from relatives are not accepted.
- Government-issued ID from the sponsoring country, or passport.
- Curriculum vitae of no more than two pages.
- Admission letter to a programme starting between January 1 and December 31, 2026.
How selection works
- Pre-selection by the ONE in each country (by the OAS for US and Venezuelan applicants).
- Final selection by an OAS selection committee at OAS Headquarters.
- Pre-selected candidates must already be enrolled in the programme or hold an unconditional admission letter for a start in 2026.
