USAID Collaborative Agreement DFD-A-00-08-00309-00 Scholarship Application Guide

The program is funded from 2008 to 2015 and aims to award scholarships to 113 individuals in the profession of prosthetics and/or orthotics. The program is divided into two categories: Category I Prosthetic and Orthotics Professionals (prosthetists-orthotists) and Category II Prosthetics and Orthotic Professionals (orthopaedic technologists). The scholarships cover tuition and school fees, as well as living costs, including accommodation, stipend, resident permit, and medical cover. Two types of scholarships are offered: full ISPO scholarships, which cover both elements, and partial ISPO scholarships, which cover tuition and school fees only, with cost-sharing provided by another party. To apply for a scholarship, candidates must submit their applications through one of the recognized education providers supported by the grant. The education providers are responsible for screening candidates and submitting their applications to the ISPO Grant Manager. The ISPO Grant Manager, in conjunction with the USAID-ISPO Steering Committee, examines the applications and makes recommendations for funding. The decision-making process involves screening applications, making recommendations to the Steering Committee, and providing a summary of the scholarship grant position. The Steering Committee makes a final decision about any scholarship award. Scholarship award letters are sent to the education provider, who arranges signatures from the student and a senior education provider manager/representative. Monitoring scholarship candidates is an essential part of the program, with education providers required to provide a report on performance, progress, and behavior not later than one month after the end of each semester. The program also includes a graduate and employer audit, with education providers expected to keep in good contact with USAID-funded scholarship alumni to assist with audit and follow-up. Cost sharing is a condition of the award, with travel costs not normally covered by the scholarship. The employer, government, cost-sharing sponsor, or student is responsible for providing this cost. Receipts related to cost-sharing travel must be sought by the education provider from the cost-sharing partner and copied to the ISPO Grant Manager as proof of cost share. Scholarship charges and payments are also outlined in the program, with fees locked in from the year of matriculation to ensure that each year the fees remain the same. The scholarship award is only provided if the 1st year fee remains the same for each subsequent year of study.