The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Scholarship Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships and study grants from Caribbean nationals in CTO member countries. The aim of the CTO Foundation is to provide opportunities for Caribbean nationals to pursue studies in the areas of tourism, hospitality and language training.
The Foundation selects individuals who demonstrate high levels of achievement and leadership both within and outside the classroom and who express a
strong interest in making a positive contribution to Caribbean tourism.
The Foundation offers two types of assistance:
• Scholarships of up to US$20,000 to individuals wanting to study tourism or hospitality at the Master’s (post graduate) level
DOWNLOAD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM
• Study grants of up to US$2,500 to individuals pursing tourism/hospitality studies at the certificate, diploma, associate degree or first degree level, and to industry personnel who want to gain proficiency in a second language to assist them in their job.
DOWNLOAD STUDY GRANT APPLICATION FORM
Studies can be pursued both within and outside the region.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS FOR CTO FOUNDATION AWARDS
Application forms are available at any CTO office, the local Ministry of Tourism, Board of Tourism, and Hotel Association. Forms are also available above. Interested persons must fill out the forms, supply all of the necessary information and return them directly to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s headquarters:
One Financial Place, Collymore Rock, St. Michael, Barbados, Tel: 246-427-5242; Fax: 246-429-3065 by the deadline date given on the form.
CTO executives in the Barbados headquarters screen all applications and select the study grant awardees. The CTO executives also shortlist potential candidates for scholarships and invite them to be interviewed before a Selection Panel at CTO headquarters in Barbados during the month of May, at which time the awardees are chosen.
KEYS TO THE SCREENING AND SELECTION PROCESS
All information requested on the application form must be submitted by the deadline date.
• The applicant must provide letters of reference from multiple and varied sources.
• The applicant should demonstrate strong academic performance in previous studies.
• The applicant must include a well written essay stating why Foundation support is important and how the candidate
hopes to benefit from the area of study being pursued.
• The applicant must demonstrate leadership capabilities through involvement in various activities/groups.
• The applicant should be well prepared for an interview which includes an effective presentation to accentuate
their positive attributes.
Photo: (L-R)CTO UK Chapter Chair, Lynn Girling, presents CTO HR Director, Bonita Morgan and CTO UK Chapter Manager, Anne McGonigle with a cheque of the proceeds from the CTO Summer Ball, held in London.
Objective
The Foundation aims to support persons interested in pursuing studies in the area of tourism, hospitality and language training, who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement and leadership, and who express a strong interest in making a contribution to Caribbean tourism.
History
The Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation was established in 1997 as a not-for-profit corporation, registered in New York State, in the United States of America, and formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors, originally chaired by Dr. Karl Rodney of Carib News in New York, the Foundation’s first set of scholarships and study grants were awarded in 1998.
The first recipient of a scholarship was Ms. Acolla Lewis from Trinidad & Tobago, who successfully completed a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom and who was invited by Buckinghamshire College in the U.K. to pursue a doctorate in Tourism Education immediately after completing her Masters programme.
Since 1998 the CTO Foundation has provided 58 major scholarships and 96 study grants to deserving Caribbean nationals, amounting to just over US$607,538. Major Foundation sponsors include American Express, American Airlines, Interval International, the CTO chapters worldwide and numerous allied members
THE FOUNDATION’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jacqueline Johnson, Chairperson, Condé Nast Bridal Media
Hugh Riley, Treasurer, Caribbean Tourism Organization
Bonita Morgan, Secretary, Caribbean Tourism Organization
Barry Brown, Travel + Leisure
Sylma Brown Bramble, Caribbean Tourism Organization
David Gilbert, Interval International
Horace Hord, Royal Caribbean Cruises. Ltd.
Janet Johnson, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Richard Kahn, Kahn Travel Communications
Elsa Leo-Rhynie, University of the West Indies
Marsha Miller, Condé Nast Traveler
Michele Paige, Florida Caribbean Cruise Association
Karl Rodney, past Chairman, Carib News
Patricio Rubalcaba, American Express
Elga Sharpe, City of Los Angeles
Media Release on 2008 CTO Foundation Awardees
Download CTO Foundation Newsletter: - Vol. 1; Vol. 2
List of past Foundation Awardees from 1998
The Arley Sobers Memorial Scholarship is offered in memory of the late Director of Information Management and Research at the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
The CTO, through its scholarship programme, the CTO Scholarship Foundation, offers up to US$5,000 to Caribbean nationals working in tourism research and/or statistics. Applications for 2010 are open.
DOWNLOAD ARLEY SOBERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Arley Sobers Memorial Scholarship Appeal
In the years 2007/8 and beyond, the Trustees of the Charity have agreed they will prioritise the areas in which the charity will make future grants. They have broadly defined the priorities as the development of human resources in tourism; and in the areas of the environment and climate change.