Caux Scholars Program in Switzerland: Scholarships for Peacebuilders

The Caux Scholars Program (CSP) is a 21-day residential course in peace and conflict resolution held at the Initiatives of Change Conference Center in Caux, Switzerland. Initiatives of Change offers merit-based and need-based scholarships, plus one Alumni Scholarship. The program selects 20 students from around the world each year.

During the course, scholars take part in about 40 hours of academic classes and six hours per week of practical work called “Service for Leadership.” They discuss key essays and case studies and go through leadership exercises, facilitation, dialogue, creative interventions, improvisation and performance, and institutional field visits. Scholars also join the Caux Forum conferences as full delegates and spend a day visiting the Geneva Center for International Policy, the United Nations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. These activities let them see how global institutions approach ongoing regional conflicts.

CSP is not affiliated with a university and does not offer credit, but participants may be able to secure credit through their own institution, in consultation with professor(s) and pursuant to their requirements. The program is willing to assist with the university credit process if notified within a timely manner.

• Host: Caux Scholars Program, Caux, Switzerland
• Level: Training (21-day residential program)
• Study destination: Switzerland
• Deadline: applications for the 2023 session are closed
• Awards: 1 Alumni Scholarship plus partial and full merit-based and need-based scholarships
• Alumni Scholarship value: USD 3,800 for tuition and USD 1,000 for air travel if enough funds are raised
• Tuition fee: USD 3,800, paid in full before the start of the program
• Application fee: USD 25, non-refundable

Caux Scholars Program

Peace and conflict resolution

1 Alumni Scholarship

Alumni Scholarship: national citizens of countries affected by present-day civil or armed conflict.
Merit-based and need-based scholarships: scholars who have made important community contributions and who demonstrate leadership skills and a clear commitment to furthering the mission and values of CSP and Initiatives of Change in their chosen professional fields.

CSP awards 1 full alumni scholarship each year. Through fundraising, CSP also offers partial and full merit-based and need-based scholarships to scholars who have made important community contributions and who show leadership skills and a clear commitment to furthering the mission and values of CSP and Initiatives of Change.

The CSP Alumni scholarship provides USD 3,800 for the tuition fee and USD 1,000 for air travel if enough funds are raised.

The total amount of tuition is USD 3,800, which must be paid in full before the start of the program. CSP does not have money for Scholars’ travel expenses, but infrequently it has been able to link up scholars with other members within its network who provide in-kind and financial resources for participation. Accepted applicants are also encouraged to fundraise their participation; some students have been able to get funding through their universities, and others have been sponsored by NGOs, faith-based communities, and civic organizations such as the Rotary Club.

Caux Scholars will be between the ages of 19 and 40. Exceptions will be made for outstanding candidates who are beyond this age range.

Applicants for the Alumni Scholarship must be national citizens of countries affected by present-day civil or armed conflict. Candidates with dual nationality or permanent residency in a western country do not qualify for the scholarship. Eligible applicants are those who have engaged actively in creating peace and mitigating conflict, and who demonstrate financial need. The recipient of the CSP Alumni Scholarship should return to her/his home country after benefiting from training in conflict transformation, restorative justice and peacebuilding, and contribute directly to the change process within the communities that they live and work in.

Applications for the 2023 session are now closed.

Due to the volume of applications received, it is best to apply early well in advance of the deadline. Applications will be considered in the sequence that they arrive. Your application will not be considered for admission if it is incomplete. When completing the online application, ensure that you fully answer all essay and financial questions listed.

Required documents:

• Your current or most recent university transcripts.
• Two written references, including at least one academic reference. These may be mailed directly in a sealed envelope or sent via email.
• A non-refundable application fee of $25, paid through the link on the official page. To pay by check or money order, make the check to “CSP” and put your first and last name on the memo line, then mail it to Initiatives of Change USA, 303 West Broad St, Suite 325, Richmond, VA 23220.

In addition to the CSP application, applicants for the Alumni Scholarship must submit a one page essay on the topic: “How are you currently engaged in creating peace in your country? From your perspective, what are the qualities needed in peacemakers who seek to break the cycle of hatred and resentment and unite people across barriers that have historically divided them?”.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

This program suits people aged 19 to 40 who work or plan to work in peacebuilding, conflict resolution or community leadership. The Alumni Scholarship is aimed at national citizens of countries affected by present-day civil or armed conflict who have been active in peace work and can show financial need.

If you have made community contributions and want to strengthen your leadership skills in a multicultural setting, the merit-based and need-based scholarships are open to you as well.

• Who can apply for the Alumni Scholarship? National citizens of countries affected by present-day civil or armed conflict who have engaged actively in peace work and can demonstrate financial need. Dual nationals or permanent residents of a western country do not qualify.
• What does the Alumni Scholarship cover? It provides USD 3,800 for the tuition fee and USD 1,000 for air travel if enough funds are raised.
• What is the application deadline? Applications for the 2023 session are now closed. It is best to apply early well in advance of the deadline, as applications are considered in the sequence that they arrive.
• How do I apply? Submit the online application with your transcripts, two written references (at least one academic) and the $25 non-refundable application fee. Alumni Scholarship applicants also submit a one page essay on the given topic. Full details are on the official website.
• Are there age limits? Caux Scholars will be between 19 and 40. Exceptions are made for outstanding candidates beyond this range.
• How are scholarship recipients selected? A committee of six persons assesses each applicant. The top three candidates are selected and interviewed over a virtual meeting, and following this the final candidate is selected.
• Is there a lot of reading and writing? More reading than writing. A pre-reader is sent before the course, a manual is given during the first days, and mid-way through the program Scholars turn in a journal or experience essay (6 pages), with a shorter reflection and evaluation at the end.

• Read the official guidelines carefully before you start your application.
• Prepare your documents early so you are not rushed near the deadline.
• Apply early: applications are considered in the sequence that they arrive.
• Make sure your application is complete, including transcripts, two references and the $25 fee, or it will not be considered for admission.
• For the essay, answer the question directly and give concrete examples from your own experience.