Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo said that scholarships for doctoral level are an important pillar for the continuation of an individual’s education. Minister Bartolo said that this scheme complemented the Master It scheme launched in April.

Funding for this scheme is €22,000 per annum for full-time students, while part-time students are provided with €25,000 for the duration of the whole course.

Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Research, Youth and Sport, Stefan Buontempo, said that individuals who continue their studies give a boost to the country’s economy.

MGSS-PG is a highly competitive scholarship scheme. Last year, 117 applications were submitted for Doctoral degrees. 29 applicants (25%) were awarded a Doctoral scholarship. 148 applications were submitted for Masters Degrees. 34 (23%) were awarded a Masters Scholarships.

The MGSS-PG 2013 scheme has to be seen within the context of the other scholarship scheme launched on 30 April that is “Master it!” The latter is co-financed and there is €2 million to finance the 2013 call.

“Master it!” is open for all those who wish to follow a programme of studies leading to Masters Level with the duration of the programme being two years or less. MGSS-PG is open for those who wish to follow a programme of studies leading to Masters Level with the duration of the programme exceeding two calendar years.

Moreover, MGSS-PG is open for those who wish to follow a programme of studies leading to a Doctoral degree.MGSS-PG accepts applicants who start their Masters or Doctoral Degrees during 2013 (that is as from 1 January 2013 till 31 December 2013).

Students following a PhD, who started their research before 1 January 2013, may still apply provided that in 2013 they still have at least 2 academic years to finish their research.

The funding is as follows:The areas considered as High Priority under the MGSS-PG 2013 scheme are found in the Regulations on the website www.myschorship.gov.mt.

There are additional allowances for full time scholarship awardees. These are:As from this year, “we are extending the allowance to awardees with a disability that follow their studies on part-time or distance learning and need to go abroad as part of their studies. The amount is €2,000 for the whole duration of the course.”

“There has been positive reaction to the “Master it!” scholarship scheme, with acceptance for a Masters scholarship even without a first degree, provided that one has an unconditional letter of acceptance from any recognised University. It is for this reason that the Ministry is introducing this measure for the MGSS-PG scheme,” the Minister said.

Another measure being introduced is that one in possession of a Masters may also apply for a Masters scholarship provided that:

(a) The applicant was not awarded a scholarship during 2006-2013;

(b) The applicant in possession of Masters must be applying to do his/her studies/research in an area different from that of the first Master.

This measure is being introduced to help applicants who wish to undergo a career change or has an opportunity for progression at his/her place of work in a different field than the one s/he studied. In the case of applicants for a Doctoral Degree, one still needs to have at least a first degree to be eligible.

The new scheme is not imposing restrictions on the first degree (whether Honours or General; not even on classification). The closing date for the Application Form is Friday 14 June, 2013 at noon (Local Time). The Regulations, Application Form and the template of the Letter of Reference is available on the website www.myscholarship.gov.mt.

Two Information Meetings are scheduled to help applicants. These will be held as follows:

Malta Thursday, 30 May, 2013 at 5.30 p.m. Education Building, Floriana

Gozo Friday, 31 May, 2013 at 5.30 p.m. School of Art and Crafts, Ghajnsielem

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