Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

The application process must start with a Zonta club. All application materials must be received at a Zonta club by the deadline printed on the application. If you downloaded the application from the Zonta International website, you must contact a Zonta club first for deadline information. If the Zonta club contact information is not printed on the application, please locate the Zonta club nearest you by using the Club Locator, or email your name and contact information to Zonta International Headquarters at programs@zonta.org.

The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international scholarships of US$5,000. Each district/region may submit one applicant for consideration for an international scholarship. The five largest districts may submit a second applicant for a total of two applicants.

Background information

Named in honor of Jane M. Klausman, a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, New York, USA, and the 1990-1995 Zonta International Parliamentarian, the first Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships were awarded in 1998 to women pursuing degrees in business leading to a business management career. Since then, Zonta has awarded 750 scholarships, totaling more than US$2 million, to 596 women from 74 countries.

The scholarship

The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships are awarded to women undertaking business studies who have demonstrated outstanding potential in the field. Zonta International offers up to 37 international scholarships of US$5,000 each. Any woman undertaking a business program at an accredited university/college/institute, including online students, in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through the final year of a master’s program at the time the application is submitted to the local Zonta club, is eligible to apply. The Scholarship may be used at any university, college or institute offering accredited courses and degrees.

Who is eligible?

• Women of any age, pursuing a business program with major field of specialization in accounting, economics, finance, business management, business technology, information technology, marketing, operations management, human resources management, international business, or entrepreneurship at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible.
• Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute.
• Students must be enrolled in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through the final year of a master’s program at the time the application is submitted to the local Zonta club. Applicants must still be in school at the time the scholarship funds are disbursed and must not graduate before April 2025.
• Previous district and international Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship recipients may not apply to renew the Scholarship for a second year.
• Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors, descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to apply for the Scholarship.
• Golden Z club members are eligible to apply.
• Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district/region where no clubs are located will be considered and are eligible to apply for the international scholarships via a Zonta district/region.

What are the requirements?

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be undertaking a business and/or business-related program at an accredited university/college/institute
• Be enrolled in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through the final year of a master’s program at the time the application is submitted to the local Zonta club or district.
• Must submit the Zonta International verification of current enrollment form (see page 7), or provide an official stamped confirmation of enrollment with graduation information from the university/college/institution with application materials. Acceptance letters are not verification of enrollment and will not be accepted.
• Must still be attending school at the time the scholarship funds are disbursed and must not graduate before April 2025 to receive this scholarship.
• Achieved an outstanding academic record during her academic studies, including business subjects.
• Demonstrate initiative, ambition and commitment to pursuing a career in business