The Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge (BRMC) Scholarship Fund aims to contribute to the development of effective conservation of Micronesia’s biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods across the region. This scholarship provides an opportunity for individuals from Micronesia to undertake either a Master’s or Doctorate degrees in any resource management/conservation field at various institutions within the Pacific Region (including universities in Guam, Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan) or in the US mainland.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen OR permanent resident of any of the five Micronesia Challenge jurisdictions (Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Guam, and the Common Wealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree

• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of not less than 3.0; OR a cumulative undergraduate GPA of not less than 2.5 with at least 3-5 years of work experience in conservation, climate change or sustainable development

• Be working for a natural resource management agency/NGO, OR have a high potential to be hired by one NOT already have a full scholarship from any funding source (students with partial scholarships will not receive funds above and beyond the cost of their tuition and associated fees).

• Be accepted or enrolled in a graduate degree program in a resource management/conservation field at universities within the Pacific region (Guam, Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, or Japan) or in the US mainland at the time of application

• Must be prepared to secure a host agency and mentor(s) to sponsor him/her when s/he returns to home island to work during breaks

The Sophia-APIC-BRMC Scholarship, a fully funded program established through collaboration between Sophia University, the Association for Promotion of International Cooperation (APIC), and the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT). It has been actively supporting graduate students from the Freely Associated States of Micronesia since its launch in 2017. This comprehensive scholarship covers travel, tuition, living expenses, accommodations, and field research for a two-year master’s Program in Global Environmental Studies and is offered in English

To qualify for this opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Citizenship: Be a citizen of the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

2. Education: Hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably in an environmental-related field.

3. Research Ability: Be capable of conducting field research and writing a thesis paper on any topic related to environmental issues such as climate change, waste management, natural resource management, etc., that is of need and interest to Micronesia.

4. Commitment: Commit to return to your home country/Micronesia to work for at least two years.

Scholarship Materials Requirement:

The application deadline for the 2024 Autumn Semester is March 10, 2024. All applications

and supporting documents must be sent to Ms. Bertha Reyuw at breyuw@ourmicronesia.org for initial screening. If the applicant passes the first phase, including an interview, he/she will be asked to submit official documents directly to the APIC/Sophia University.

1. Application Materials

a) Application form (Use form provided above)

b) Scholarship Application (Form Use form provided above)

2. Statement of purpose:

a) Specify as precisely as possible the area of intended study and its relation to previous academic or career experience.

b) Describe the research plan they intend to conduct at Sophia University.

The statement of purpose should be 500-750 words in length and written in English.

3. University/college transcript(s):

(a) Provide copies of recent transcripts showing all undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) courses taken and grades received, including the list of courses you are currently attending must be submitted.

4. Proof of graduation: Applicants should submit one of the following:

(a) University/college-issued certificate of a degree certificate or official letter (original copy).

(b) Photocopy of diploma certified by a school official.

(c) Transcript indicating degree received and date of conferral. Proof of graduation must be an official hardcopy issued by home university. An electronic certificate from the home university to Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) can be acceptable for the screening stage.

5. Letters of recommendation:

(a) Obtain two letters of recommendation, must be from school official(s) attended by the applicant. The letters must be addressed to “Sophia University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies” and must be emailed directly from recommenders to MCT’s Capacity Building Program Manager at breyuw@ourmicronesia.org.

6. A copy of a thesis:

(a) Provide a copy of a graduation thesis, honors thesis, or a significant term

paper must be provided. The copy can be provided in English, Japanese or other languages. An

extensive English summary (approx. 850 words) must also be attached.

7. Proof of Citizenship:

(a) Photocopy of passport profile page. Those who do not have a passport, please submit a photocopy of a photo ID.

*Medical attention: Any applicant with physical conditions that might require special attention when

undertaking university work should notify the Sophia Admissions Office in writing before application.

For inquiries, please contact Ms. Bertha Reyuw, Capacity Building Program Manager, at breyuw@ourmicronesia.org.