Effective Scholarship-Program Management for Developing-Country Initiatives

This training course focuses on the full cycle of managing scholarship programs — from outreach and selection to academic monitoring and post-graduation follow-up. The course is tailored for institutions or organizations offering scholarships to students from developing countries. Participants will explore policy design, eligibility management, communication strategies, and digital tools to improve operations and outcomes.

Who Should Attend

Scholarship program coordinators and officers

Higher education administrators

Program evaluators and donor relations staff

NGO and foundation staff managing education funds

Academic partnerships or mobility managers

Objectives

Understand the lifecycle and structure of international scholarship programs

Design fair and inclusive eligibility and selection criteria

Manage applicant communication and documentation efficiently

Monitor student academic progress and wellbeing

Evaluate program impact and improve reporting mechanisms

Ensure transparency, equity, and compliance throughout the process

Course Outline

Foundations of Scholarship Program Design

Purpose and impact of scholarships for development
Aligning programs with institutional or donor objectives
Defining program structure: duration, fields, destinations
Identifying priority regions and demographic groups
Ethical and inclusive scholarship frameworks

Eligibility, Outreach, and Application Management

Creating eligibility criteria: academic, geographic, socioeconomic
Outreach strategies to reach underrepresented students
Designing clear application processes and timelines
Tools for online application intake and filtering
Supporting applicants through FAQs and helpdesk systems

Selection and Awarding Processes

Selection models: merit, need-based, or hybrid
Panel selection protocols and scoring systems
Document verification and fraud prevention
Communicating decisions and issuing offer letters
Preparing award contracts and terms of agreement

Student Support and Academic Monitoring

Onboarding and orientation for scholarship recipients
Academic performance tracking and reporting
Providing mentorship and academic support services
Managing scholarship extensions, leaves, or withdrawals
Ensuring student wellbeing and adapting to challenges

Impact Evaluation and Program Enhancement

Defining KPIs and success indicators
Alumni tracking and engagement
Reporting to funders and institutional stakeholders
Gathering feedback for continuous improvement
Scaling and replicating successful scholarship models

Competencies

Program design and structure

Applicant selection and communication

Student support and academic monitoring

Impact reporting and donor accountability

Equity, ethics, and transparency in scholarship management

Geneva

Access Elite Academy’s complete training portfolio in Geneva. As an international center for diplomacy, finance and global organizations, the city provides a strong setting for organizations and professionals seeking expert-led learning, with upcoming scheduled courses and other programs available on request. Geneva is one of Elite Academy’s international training destinations and gives organizations and professionals access to our complete portfolio of training programs across all disciplines. As an international center for diplomacy, finance and global organizations, the city offers a professional setting for focused learning. Participants can choose from upcoming scheduled courses in Geneva or request any other program from the Elite Academy portfolio to be arranged in the city, subject to scheduling and delivery requirements. Browse the upcoming schedule below or explore our training areas to identify the program that best matches your organization’s development priorities or your own professional goals.