Education Scholarship Fund
Supports Talent and Creative Initiative
The FPMT Education Scholarship Fund supports talented and creative work of exceptional merit that promotes the goals and long-term vision of FPMT education. The primary areas of support are scholarships and program development. The fund is managed by the executive director of the FPMT International Office, the director of the FPMT Education Department and Ven Roger Kunsang, Lama Zopa Rinpoche's attendant and secretary. This committee has developed a basic set of guidelines for the functioning of the Fund.
Who can apply for funding?
Individuals who can apply to the Education Scholarship Fund for scholarships include students of FPMT standard programs who are on track to become FPMT dharma teachers, translators who translate texts and practices for FPMT education, meditators who are on track to become FPMT dharma teachers, and writers and editors who are creating text and reference books for FPMT education programs. Support is also available for program design and further curriculum development of FPMT standard programs, teacher training programs and supplementary pilot courses that can support any FPMT program or project.
The Education Scholarship Fund committee meets twice each year to consider grant applications. All applications for funds must be submitted to the committee by no later than December 15 and June 15 of each year. The committee then takes the next 6 to 8 weeks to evaluate all applications. All applicants are notified of the committee’s decisions by February 15 and August 15 each year.
What has received funding from the Education Scholarship Fund to date?
The Education Scholarship Fund committee has been fortunate until now to be able to grant funds to a variety of different FPMT educational projects. Whenever projects are being considered for funding, high priority is given to those projects that affect education throughout the whole organization rather than only at individual centers. A few of the projects that have received funds so far are:
- the Masters Program – Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia, Italy
- the Basic Program guidelines development
- Teacher Training Workshop in Europe – Claudia Wellnitz and Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy
- Basic Program pilot course – Chenrezig Institute, Queensland, Australia
These are just a few of the worthy projects that the Education Scholarship Fund has been able to support.
The Education Scholarship Fund committee has also granted financial aid to six students from four different countries (France, USA, Canada, and Italy) participating in the Masters Program in Italy.
The key to understanding if something will receive favorable consideration for funding from the Education Scholarship Fund is whether that project, or individual, will be able to benefit education in the whole Foundation in the future. In the case of financial aid for individuals, the Fund committee looks at a person’s commitment to making a long-term contribution to education in the FPMT – as a teacher or spiritual program coordinator, a translator or ritual master. In the case of projects, again, the committee considers most favorably projects that further the broader long-term goals of education in the whole Foundation.
Those FPMT members who have been around for a number of years will remember Lama Yeshe often talking about “Big Mind, dear,” and “Big Love.” The FPMT Education Scholarship Fund is one more way that we are trying to practice Lama’s Big Mind with Big Love in the FPMT. Your help will be most appreciated.
1632 SE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214-4702 USA
The Education Scholarship Fund is a project of FPMT Inc. All donations made to the fund are tax-deductible within the United States in accordance with IRS Code article 501(C)(3).
