2025 Wells Mountain Initiative Scholars Program

The Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) is a public charitable foundation based in Bristol, Vermont, USA, which has been approved under the United States Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3). WMI works to create social change through education and community building by providing bright young people in the developing world with student scholarships and skills training, building a network of grassroots leaders who are catalyzing community transformation.

Each year WMI provides support to students as they pursue various educational objectives. Support is provided for post-secondary school (university, polytechnic, trade school). Financial support primarily covers:

• Tuition and fees

• Books and course materials/supplies

• Accommodation and meals

• Transportation

The WMI scholarship does not always cover the full cost of tuition and associated educational expenses. Please note that it is not intended to be a full scholarship.

Scholarships are generally granted for the full period of study; however, recipients must maintain above-average grades, participate in 100 hours of community service per year, and meet WMI deadlines for submitting academic and community service reports.

• The academic report consists of semester grades, current school ledger, current academic calendar, a scholar expense tracker detailing how the scholarship funds were spent in the previous period together with receipts.

• The community service report details how the scholar was involved in community service activities, and scholars are required to attach photos of their community service activities to this report.

The scholarship can be discontinued anytime in the event of unsatisfactory performance, dishonesty or misuse of scholarship funds.

The scholarship awards are determined by volunteer reviewers and the Scholarship Committee of the Board of Directors and are awarded once a year on August 1.

Please note: You will be required to write personal statements and an essay.

• Ensure that the work that you submit fully originates from you. If you borrow ideas from another source, cite any quotations or references, or the essay will be deemed plagiarized.

• The use of AI-generated text or outline structures is not allowed.

• Using uncredited ideas, content created by other persons, and AI-generated text directly violates the scholarship application policy. Your personal statements and essay will be checked for plagiarism and the use of AI-generated text. Any applicants found to have plagiarized or used AI-generated content will be considered ineligible for a scholarship.

Eligibility: Our ideal candidate is a student, male or female, from a country in the developing world who:

• Will be 35 years of age or younger as of August 1, 2025

• Has completed or is in the final year of secondary education, with above-average to excellent grades 


• Is applying to university or is currently enrolled and taking classes towards completion of their first undergraduate degree

• Will be studying in their home country or another country in the developing world

• Plans to live and work in their own country after graduation 


• Has participated in volunteer service before applying for this scholarship and is committed to volunteering within their community during their studies

• Has some funding available for their education but will not be able to go to university or continue without assistance. The WMI scholarship does not always cover the full cost of tuition and associated educational expenses. The scholarship is not intended to be a full scholarship.

Additional Details

• We highly recommend that you review the WMI Scholars Program Information Flyer, WMI Scholars Application Frequently Asked Questions Guide, and the WMI Scholars Recommendation Letter Guidelines documents on our website to assist you in preparing the most complete and competitive application possible.

• Applications must be received by March 1 each year to be considered for the following academic year. WMI Scholars are selected through an in-depth multi-step review process. The selected WMI Scholars will be emailed on August 1. Their names will also be published on our website homepage and the WMI Facebook page. Those who are not selected will also be notified after August 1.

• Please DO NOT type in all capital letters.

• Scholars planning to study in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, or Western Europe will not qualify for a WMI Scholarship.

• We won't consider applications sent by email. All applications must be submitted through the online application portal.

• Family members of WMI staff and of WMI Scholars are not eligible to apply.

• Applications must be received by 11:59 PM EST on March 1, through our online scholarship application portal, to be considered for the next academic year.

You will need the following information in order to complete this application:

• Grade transcripts from schools attended

• National exam results if applicable

• Tuition fees structure from your university (can provide from website if not accepted yet.

Personal statements

• Personal statement on your background

  • In 500 words or less, please write a personal statement about your background, including family and life experiences. Ensure that you describe the circumstances leading you to apply for this scholarship and why you believe you should be favorably considered.

• Personal statement on the relevance of your field of study

  • In 500 words or less, please explain what inspired you to pursue your selected field of study. What makes you well suited to this field, and how would you like to use your degree to help your community, nation or region in the future?

Essay question (Max 1000 words)

• Essay prompt:  If you were given $1500 to fund a service project to support your community, what project would you propose? What issue would the project focus on and why is this issue relevant in your community? What makes this issue personally important to you? How does the issue relate to your field of study? Who would benefit from the project, and what impact would it have on you, your community, and your nation? How would you evaluate the success of the initiative? Provide 3-5 indicator matrices for monitoring and evaluation of the initiative. Please provide a detailed budget in USD for all anticipated expenses.

• Names and working email addresses of two recommenders

• Headshot photo

• National ID or alternative form of ID

Opens: December 1, 2024 at 12:01AM EST

Closes: March 1, 2025 11:59PM EST