American Rolex Scholarship

Currently there are three Scholarships: North America, Europe, and Australasia. Each Scholarship provides a hands-on introduction to underwater and other aquatic-related endeavors for a young person considering a career in an underwater-related discipline. One scholar is selected from each of the three regions and each scholar spends approximately one year working side by side with current leaders in underwater fields. Each scholar travels primarily within their region, but may have opportunities throughout the underwater world. The range of experiences may include active participation in field studies, underwater research, scientific expeditions, laboratory assignments, equipment testing and design, photographic instruction, and other specialized assignments.

Scholars pursue activities in their chosen disciplines during the one-year period between Our World Underwater Scholarship Society™ annual meetings. Experiences may last from a few days to over a month. At the conclusion of each experience, the scholar moves on to another, so the scholarship year involves extensive travel.

How and When Do I Apply?

You must register on the site to apply online.

The online application will start accepting applications on 15 November 2024.

Please complete the online application to apply for any scholarships and/or internships offered by the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society.

Completed scholarship applications must be RECEIVED via the online application no later than 15 January 2025 for the North American, European and Australasian Scholarship applications to be considered for the 2025 scholarship. Applications for the 2025 scholarships will be accepted starting 15 November 2024.

Who Can Apply?

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum age of 21 and maximum age of 26 at the time of the application deadline (15 January 2025 for all regions)
• Citizenship for the relevant Scholarship region (North America, Europe, and Australasia)
• Applicant has not yet earned a graduate degree (i.e. Masters, Doctorate or similar) by June 1st of the scholarship year, and has not yet chosen a clearly defined career path
• High academic standing
• Fluency in English
• Certification as a Rescue Diver or equivalent with a minimum of 25 scuba dives logged in the past two years
• Evidence of adequate health insurance for duration of scholarship year
• Submission of a completed diving medical history form (which is found in the application). A full diving medical evaluation will be required for all scholars.
• If you are chosen as a scholar, you will be required to pass a NOAA or equivalent physical.

Scholarship applicants are required to submit the following information within the online application:

1. Copy of dive scuba diving certification card(s)
2. Copy of dive logs for the last six months. If you have fewer than 25 dives in the last six months, extend the time period of your dive logs sufficient to include your 25 most recent dives.
3. Completed diving medical history form: Click 'Here'. The scholarship frequently involves strenuous surface and subsurface physical activity, often in remote locations away from medical care or pharmacies, and it is thus in the applicant’s best interest to disclose any known conditions. Upon selection, scholars will be required to complete a full diving medical evaluation completed by a licensed physician with knowledge of diving, or provide a current diving medical evaluation. All medical information provided is confidential and will be seen only by a diving medical professional that reviews applications and not the wider selection panel.
4. Four letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from teachers or professors from whom you have taken classes and can comment on your academic background and accomplishments, and two letters of recommendation from persons in your community who can comment on your character, leadership potential, and communication skills. Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society™ can only accept recommendation letters directly from the referees. As a result, please request the four referees to email letters of recommendation directly to references@owuscholarship.org, labelled "Applicant’s last name_First name_letter", e.g. Smith_Jane_letter. For more information, please see FAQ.
5. Statement from certifying agency (or school) or most recent scuba instructor regarding diving proficiency
6. Current resume including any extracurricular activities
7. Copy of official transcript or unofficial transcript. Finalists will be required to physically mail an official transcript to the appropriate regional office.
8. [NEW] Statements (maximum two pages, double-spaced): {Please read closely, these have changed}
   1. Describe how your background, life experiences, motivations, and life/career objectives position you to become a leader in the underwater world.
   2. What goals do you have for the scholarship year and how will achieving these help you create positive impact beyond the scholarship?