MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT,  

AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

PRESS RELEASE

OAS 2026 ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAMME

FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, GRADUATE STUDIES

AND/OR RELATED GRADUATE RESEARCH 

The Department of Education, Innovation, and Vocational Training informs of the call for applications for the Organisation of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarships Programme 2026. The OAS Academic Scholarships are awarded to citizens of the OAS member states undertaking graduate or undergraduate studies leading to a degree at an accredited or recognised university or higher learning institution in an OAS member state, including those participating in the OAS Consortium of Universities (see page 4), with the exception of the candidate’s sponsoring country.

Studies must be carried out on a full-time basis, and can be undertaken onsite, online, or a combination of both. Studies may begin between January 1 and December 2026.  The OAS scholarship is awarded for a minimum period of one (1) academic year and a maximum period of two (2) academic years, and are offered only to candidates from the English-speaking Caribbean member states and Suriname to carry out studies at a university of their choice.

Applicants should note that scholarships are contingent upon:

1. the continued availability of OAS funds;
2. the good academic performance of the applicant during the first academic year; and
3. the confirmation by the academic institution that the renewal period for the second year is necessary to complete the programme of study for which the scholarship was initially awarded.

Value/Benefits of the Scholarship

The scholarship award provides the following support:

• OAS Scholarships have a monetary cap of US$10,000.00 per academic year.  The benefits vary and are assigned on a case-by-case basis, and may include:
• Tuition and mandatory fees;
• Medical insurance;
• Monthly complementary subsistence allowance;
• Roundtrip airfare (from the sponsoring country to the country of study): and
• Books/study materials.

Please note that the selected candidates will be required to provide proof that they have additional funds for the completion of their programme

General Requirements

To be eligible for selection an applicant must:

1. be a citizen or permanent resident of Saint Lucia;
2. be in good physical and mental health to complete the programme successfully;
3. possess the language competency to undertake studies in the language of the institution or country of study;
4. agree to the obligation to return and reside in the sponsoring country for a minimum period of no less than twenty-four (24) months after completing the programme of study covered by the OAS Scholarship.  Applicants for online studies must agree to remain in the sponsoring country for the same period of time;
5. select an area of study listed on the “Government of Saint Lucia List of Priority Areas for National Training 2023-2026”, available at https://www.govt.lc/media.govt.lc/www/resources/publications/approved-priority-list-2023-2026.pdf; and
6. be from a low-income family/household (Financial Needs Form should be completed).

Types of Scholarships

1. Undergraduate Scholarships are offered only to candidates from the English-speaking Caribbean Member States and Suriname to carry out studies in a university of their choice.   To apply for an undergraduate scholarship, an applicant must:

•    be enrolled in the programme of study and be eligible to graduate within 2 academic years starting between January 1 and December 31, 2026, or;

• have an admission letter to a university for the last two years of an undergraduate programme that leads to a bachelor’s degree. Admission letter must state that the applicant will begin studies between January 1 and December 31, 2026 and complete the programme of studies within 2 academic years.

2.  Graduate Scholarships are offered to candidates from all OAS Member States to carry out graduate studies in a university of their choice (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree) between January 1 and December 31, 2026. To apply for a graduate scholarship, an applicant must:

•      have obtained a first university degree (Bachelor’s) by the time they submit their scholarship application.

• be enrolled in the programme of study and have at least one academic year left from the date of the scholarship offer, or
•  be accepted into the university where he or she plans to study.

Application Process

Interested applicants should visit https://www.oas.org/en/scholarships/specaf_2026.asp for all additional information required.  Applicants for Undergraduate Studies should submit a completed application via:             https://www.oas.org/fms/Announcement.aspx?id=1154&Type=1&Lang=Eng and aapplicants  for Graduate studies or Research should submit a completed application at: https://www.oas.org/fms/Announcement.aspx?id=1153&Type=1&Lang=Eng.

In addition to the aforementioned application requirements, all applicants must submit a copy of the completed OAS online Scholarship Application Form via the Department of Education scholarship web portal at http://scholarships.education.gov.lc/.  Applicants should follow the process below:

1. SCAN all required documents (Ensure that all documents are legible).
2. The OAS Online Application Form must be submitted at the ‘Agency Online Form’ link provided on the scholarship portal.

Additional documents for submission to the Department of Education scholarship web portal are as follow:

1. OAS Online Application Form available;
2. Verified copy of the diploma for the highest degree obtained (verified by the Dept. of Education);
3. Copy of transcript of grades for the highest academic degree completed and/or to be completed. If the applicant is currently enrolled in a programme of study, he/she will also need to submit the current, unofficial transcript;
4. Two (2) recommendation letters from current or former, professor, supervisor, business leader, etc., stamped and/or signed. If unemployed or never employed, the candidate may obtain recommendations from whom they think can give academic, professional or personal references.  Recommendation letters must be written and signed by the recommenders and they cannot come from relative of the applicant;
5. Cover Minute from Permanent Secretary/Head of Department, endorsing the request for Training (For Public Service Employees only);
6. Statement of Conduct and Work Ethics Form (for Public Service Employees only) available at http://www.govt.lc/media.govt.lc/www/resources/forms/statement-of-conduct-and-work-ethics.pdf;
7. Curriculum Vitae (must not exceed 2 pages);
8. Copy of Birth Certificate;

9. Copy of the Official Identification Card (ID) – Government issued ID by the Sponsoring Country or Passport;
10. Police Record three (3) months or less (If Applicable); and

11. Financial Needs Assessment Form.

Applicants are to ensure that all required documents are successfully uploaded and all application requirements are complete. 

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE DEEMED INELIGIBLE.

Should you require any further information, kindly contact the HRD Unit via email addresses bmarcellin@learning.edu.lc or hrdeducation.slu@gmail.com or telephone numbers 468-5230/5229.

Deadline for submission of applications is Wednesday March 4, 2026.    

Please be guided accordingly.

1. OAS Academic Scholarship 2026.pdf