Panamanian Scholarships

Cradle of Environmental Studies

Panama is pretty much considered a one-stop shop for Central American ecology, biodiversity and environmental studies. The world-renowned Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is a regular stopover for many students studying the flora and fauna. This slim, snaking strip of land is bounded by the Caribbean on one side and the Pacific on the other. No wonder it is so fiercely valued politically and economically, and so sensitive environmentally.

Government Scholarships

Students who traditionally may not have been able to afford an international study abroad program may explore the federally funded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships. The program is highly regarded and recipients are widely publicized. Students wishing to study in Panama, who are Pell Grant recipients and have a good academic record, should apply with enthusiasm. Over 700 of these awards are handed out to deserving undergrads across the country. Those who face multiple challenges and who have never gone abroad before may take precedence. Awards are up to $5,000 depending on need.

The David L. Boren Scholarships for undergraduates and graduate students are an offshoot of the National Security Education Program. These prestigious scholarships give recognition to those students who not only are academically superior to many of their peers, but who may also be the next level of leadership in national security. Applicants who want to study in Panama may be able to do just that on the government’s dime. Programs of study must be intensive, language and culture heavy, with opportunities to delve into sciences, technology, mathematics and other critical disciplines. Recipients will need to repay the government’s kindness with service or a career. Maximum awards are $26,000.

Study Abroad Organizations

The School for International Training is a leading provider of high-quality study abroad programs that focus on specific areas of study. SIT offers a number of programs in Panama that cover sustainable development and conservation themes. Students who participate often have the ability to go through their home institutions while others may access programs directly by contacting SIT. Scholarships are available and disbursed quite freely in order to make international study experiences more affordable and available to a wider audience:

Private Funds

Students who want to study in Panama and whose educational backgrounds and career intentions involve rainforest ecology or tropical resources may apply for the Kleinhans Fellowships. The program is sponsored by the Rainforest Alliance, an internationally recognized organization whose core goal is preserving what’s left of the Central and South American rainforests. Panama is widely considered one of the most important destinations for conservation studies. The Kleinhans Fellowships are awarded typically to post-graduate students who are willing to give two years to a project and research in Panama. Candidates are selected based on academic background, career interests and research or project proposal. A maximum of $30,000 is awarded over the two-year rainforest stint.

Need a short-term travel scholarship to Panama? If so consider the James R. Scobie Memorial Award for Preliminary Ph.D. Research. The award is made available through the Conference on Latin American History. The very name of the award should indicate its relevance to your situation. Applicants must require actual travel to Panama to do short-term research. Applications are reviewed on the basis of academic background, project proposal, duration of time, letter of recommendation from a faculty advisor, and the relation between Panama and the future dissertation theme. $1,000 is awarded.

The Ambassadorial Scholarships awarded through Rotary International are quite prestigious. Owing to the Rotary’s international reputation as one of the most charitable organizations, the same level of altruism is expected of every Rotary Scholar. Applicants who wish to study in Panama will be considered on the basis of the program in which they expect to participate. International study programs that cover themes of sustainable development or engage students in humanitarian projects are preferred. Recipients must share their Panama experience with Rotarians upon their return to the States. Scholarships of up to $26,000 are good for a yearlong program.

College Scholarships

The University of Louisville’s Latin American Studies Department sponsors a study program in Panama each May. In fact, the U of L maintains a satellite campus in Panama, which gives this program an even more significant foundation. The program is open to students whose studies and future careers will benefit from first hand experience of the country. Curriculum covers the native tribes, exposure to the Canal Zone and the rainforest ecosystems. Scholarships and fellowships include:



Country-Specific Study Abroad Scholarships

Google Search