EU FUNDs

External Assistance

Alßan

Alßan

Period: 2002-2010

Budget: EUR 75 million

The Alßan Programme is run together by the EuropeAid Co-operation office of the European Commission and a group of 45 EU Universities and Higher Education Institutions with the goal of building cooperation between the EU and Latin America in the field of Higher Education.

The programme name is an acronym in Spanish and Portuguese that stands for "Latin America, High Level Scholarships," as the programme grants two types of Scholarships for Latin American citizens to study or train in the EU:

1. Postgraduate education scholarships for qualified Latin American students to obtain a Masters or Doctorate education at an university or educational institution in the EU in all subject areas outside of language study
2. Specialisation scholarship for experienced Latin American professionals to obtain professional training in the European Union for 6 to 18 months.

Besides building another link of cooperation between Europe and Latin America, the programme also aims to allow the young people of Latin America to experience the European educational system and culture in hopes of continuing the positive and close relationship between the two regions into the future. The scholarships and education abroad, will also allow the young people to improve their skills and thus positively impacting their career opportunities and impact on Latin American economies.

To be eligible for the Postgraduate scholarship, participants must fulfil the following requirements and submit an application online on the Alßan website:

• Citizen of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, having lived there since September 1st, 2005

• Completed the required educational requirements for their programme of choice and have the support of one of the institutions recognized by the Alßan programme

• Be accepted to study at a educational institution in the EU

• Explain how they plan to use their education or training in their home country upon completion of the programme

To be eligible for the specialisation scholarship, participants must fulfil the following requirements and submit an application online on the Alßan website:

• Citizen of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, having lived there since September 1st, 2005

• Possess at least 7 years professional experience and currently working at a recognised public or private organisation in one of the Latin American countries listed above

• Explain how they plan to use their education or training in their home country upon completion of the programme

After the participants return home, they can continue to share and live their experiences with other Alßan participants as well as ALFA alumni and participants of other Latin American-Europe co-operation programmes through the Alumni network.

More information:
Alßans website
Programme Alßan