Scottish Education Research Grant (SERG)
Sponsored by the Caledonian Society of Hawaii

The Caledonian Society of Hawaii, a non-profit organization founded to further interest in Scotland, makes awards to young people for study related to Scotland. Awards of up to $2000 may be given each year to students to undertake and complete a project about Scotland, Scottish history or culture. The award(s) is granted by the Awards Committee in the Spring of each year and the project must be completed during the following summer or academic year.

What you need to do:

1. Decide if you are eligible.

To be eligible you must be 18 to 26 years old, a United States citizen or permanent resident of the United States, a resident of the State of Hawaii, and have an enthusiasm for learning about Scottish culture or history.
You need not be of Scottish descent to apply!

2. Gather ideas of a Scottish-related project you might like to do during the summer or next academic year. These awards are not intended to support a student's general course of study, but to support an educational project for a student interested in Scottish culture or history. Previous winners of this Award have:

Attended summer school at the University of Edinburgh to study Scottish history.
Studied glass blowing at the Northlands Creative Glass Center in Scotland.
Visited and photographed sites associated with the student's ancestors in Scotland.
Participated in an archeological dig in southern Scotland.
Followed the route taken by David Balfour in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Kidnapped.
Attended a bagpipe school in Glasgow, Scotland.

It's not necessary to travel outside of Hawaii for a project although that may be considered. For example, Scottish dancing and bagpiping are available on Oahu. Help in planning a project is available by asking for help in the personal statement of the application.

3. Complete the enclosed application for the award.

4. Write a Personal Statement in which you explain:

What Scottish activity, course of study, or project you want to undertake and how will it be accomplished? Be specific. When do you want to start the project, what goals do you have for the project, what are the projected costs (be sure to include airfare, food and lodging, class tuition if any, extra spending costs)? If you have supplementary materials, such as a brochure from a summer school you would like to attend, please include a copy with your application.
What is your source of interest in Scottish heritage and what, if any, connections you have with Scotland?
What would receiving this grant mean to you and how would it relate to other educational or career goals you might have?

5. Ask one person to send a letter of recommendation along with comments on your proposed project.

Ask people such as teachers, clergymen, counselors, youth group leaders, or employers who have known you for at least two years, and who are willing to testify to your responsibility, character, and interest in and capability of following through on the proposal. The recommendation should be sent by the person writing the letter directly to the address given in Section 7 for receipt by Tuesday, April 8, 2008. This is an extension from the date listed in the application. The April 8, 2008 date is the new deadline.

6. Sign the certification at the bottom of the application form.

7. Mail the application and personal statement to the address below by Tuesday, April 8, 2008:

Scottish Education Research Grant, The Caledonian Society of Hawaii, 2257-A Kanealii Street Honolulu, HI 96813.

Applications also can be e-mailed to susanmack1@mac.com subject line Scottish Education Grant.

8. Award winners will be required to attend one or two functions of the Caledonian Society upon completion of the project. The winner will speak to the Society about their experience and accomplishments of their project. They may also choose to present the results of the project with an album of photos or videos, a written account, or with a performance of what they have learned.

What happens after your application is submitted?

1. The Awards Committee of the Caledonian Society will review all completed applications.

The criteria for selection will be the applicant's enthusiasm for Scottish culture, the feasibility of the project, the completeness and appropriateness of the plans for the project, and the potential for growth and development in the area of interest. Other criteria such as academic achievement, involvement in school and community service activities, and employment experience may also be considered.

2. Some applicants may be asked to come in for an interview with the committee.

3. You may get help with your project details.

If the Committee deems it appropriate, they may ask a member of the Society to work with the applicant to help put together details of the applicant's proposed project.

4. The Committee will make awards recommendations to the Caledonian Society Council.

Winners will be notified ASAP after the final approval, presumably by April 30, 2008.
If you have questions, please call Lillian Cunningham at 538-7707 or Susan MacKinnon at 261-0636.

Obtain an Application




Scottish Education Research Grant (SERG) Sponsored by the Caledonian Society of Hawaii Obtain an Application The Caledonian Society of Hawaii, a non-profit organization founded to further interest in Scotland, makes awards to young people for study related to Scotland. Awards of up to $2000 may be given each year to students to undertake and complete a project about Scotland, Scottish history or culture. The award(s) is granted by the Awards Committee in the Spring of each year and the project must be completed during the following summer or academic year. What you need to do: 1. Decide if you are eligible. To be eligible you must be 18 to 26 years old, a United States citizen or permanent resident of the United States, a resident of the State of Hawaii, and have an enthusiasm for learning about Scottish culture or history. You need not be of Scottish descent to apply! 2. Gather ideas of a Scottish-related project you might like to do during the summer or next academic year. These awards are not intended to support a student's general course of study, but to support an educational project for a student interested in Scottish culture or history. Previous winners of this Award have: Attended summer school at the University of Edinburgh to study Scottish history. Studied glass blowing at the Northlands Creative Glass Center in Scotland. Visited and photographed sites associated with the student's ancestors in Scotland. Participated in an archeological dig in southern Scotland. Followed the route taken by David Balfour in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Kidnapped. Attended a bagpipe school in Glasgow, Scotland. It's not necessary to travel outside of Hawaii for a project although that may be considered. For example, Scottish dancing and bagpiping are available on Oahu. Help in planning a project is available by asking for help in the personal statement of the application. 3. Complete the enclosed application for the award. 4. Write a Personal Statement in which you explain: What Scottish activity, course of study, or project you want to undertake and how will it be accomplished? Be specific. When do you want to start the project, what goals do you have for the project, what are the projected costs (be sure to include airfare, food and lodging, class tuition if any, extra spending costs)? If you have supplementary materials, such as a brochure from a summer school you would like to attend, please include a copy with your application. What is your source of interest in Scottish heritage and what, if any, connections you have with Scotland? What would receiving this grant mean to you and how would it relate to other educational or career goals you might have? 5. Ask one person to send a letter of recommendation along with comments on your proposed project. Ask people such as teachers, clergymen, counselors, youth group leaders, or employers who have known you for at least two years, and who are willing to testify to your responsibility, character, and interest in and capability of following through on the proposal. The recommendation should be sent by the person writing the letter directly to the address given in Section 7 for receipt by Tuesday, April 8, 2008. This is an extension from the date listed in the application. The April 8, 2008 date is the new deadline. 6. Sign the certification at the bottom of the application form. 7. Mail the application and personal statement to the address below by Tuesday, April 8, 2008: Scottish Education Research Grant, The Caledonian Society of Hawaii, 2257-A Kanealii Street Honolulu, HI 96813. Applications also can be e-mailed to susanmack1@mac.com subject line Scottish Education Grant. 8. Award winners will be required to attend one or two functions of the Caledonian Society upon completion of the project. The winner will speak to the Society about their experience and accomplishments of their project. They may also choose to present the results of the project with an album of photos or videos, a written account, or with a performance of what they have learned. What happens after your application is submitted? 1. The Awards Committee of the Caledonian Society will review all completed applications. The criteria for selection will be the applicant's enthusiasm for Scottish culture, the feasibility of the project, the completeness and appropriateness of the plans for the project, and the potential for growth and development in the area of interest. Other criteria such as academic achievement, involvement in school and community service activities, and employment experience may also be considered. 2. Some applicants may be asked to come in for an interview with the committee. 3. You may get help with your project details. If the Committee deems it appropriate, they may ask a member of the Society to work with the applicant to help put together details of the applicant's proposed project. 4. The Committee will make awards recommendations to the Caledonian Society Council. Winners will be notified ASAP after the final approval, presumably by April 30, 2008. If you have questions, please call Lillian Cunningham at 538-7707 or Susan MacKinnon at 261-0636. Obtain an Application

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