Fellowship Program in Mental Health and Psychology - 2025
How to apply: Download the application form and follow the instructions provided. Application Start Date: January 1st, 2025 Application End Date: February 28th, 2025 Results Announcement: April 2025
At Suu Myat Than Foundation, we believe that education is the foundation of life. Below are the details of our 2025 fellowship program. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Eligibility Criteria for Fellowship Recipients:
Be a student from Myanmar
Be accepted into or currently enrolled in an accredited graduate program focused on mental health or psychology in Asia or internationally.
Demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact on mental health, particularly in Myanmar or within Myanmar communities abroad.
In need of financial support to complete your education
Our Selection Process:
Prescreening: The selection committee will evaluate applicants’ submissions based on our fellowship selection criteria. Applicants who score 70 or higher out of 100 will be invited to a virtual interview on Zoom.
Interview: In this second round, committee members will interview selected candidates and assign additional scores of up to 100 points based on interview performance.
Awarding Fellowships: Fellowships will be awarded to the three highest-scoring applicants across both rounds.
Selection Criteria:
The fellowship program prioritizes applicants based on the following criteria, with up to 10 points awarded for each:
Financial Need: Applicants must demonstrate financial need that significantly impacts their ability to pursue graduate education in mental health or psychology. This includes financial barriers that hinder their educational opportunities.
Commitment to Mental Health: A strong dedication to mental health, whether through academic focus, personal experiences, or volunteer efforts. Applicants should demonstrate a passion for improving mental health and an understanding of its importance in society.
Leadership and Advocacy Skills: Applicants should show leadership potential, particularly in mental health advocacy. This includes taking active roles in promoting mental health awareness, influencing positive change, and supporting others through advocacy efforts.
Academic and Professional Achievement: We prioritize applicants who have demonstrated strong academic performance in psychology, mental health, or related fields. This includes outstanding grades, academic awards, or research contributions.
Resilience and Adaptability: Applicants must show resilience and the ability to overcome adversity, particularly in the face of challenges related to mental health or personal life experiences. Adaptability in changing circumstances is valued.
Community Involvement: We seek applicants who have positively impacted their communities, especially in the context of mental health. This may include volunteer work, supporting mental health initiatives, or any actions that contribute to the well-being of others.
Clear Educational and Career Goals: A clear vision of how the fellowship will support both immediate educational goals and long-term career aspirations in the mental health or psychology fields. Applicants should outline their career goals and how the fellowship will help them achieve them.
Interpersonal Skills: Empathy, collaboration, and communication are key. Applicants should demonstrate effective interpersonal skills in working with others, especially in team settings or in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges.
Motivation for the Fellowship: We want to support applicants who are deeply motivated to use their education to impact the mental health field. Applicants should clearly articulate why this fellowship is essential to their goals and how it will help them contribute to positive change.
Potential for Long-Term Impact: Applicants should have a vision for how their education in mental health or psychology will create positive, lasting change, either in Myanmar or globally. This includes a commitment to improving mental health awareness and access for communities in need.
Fellowship Award and Payment Structure
Each fellowship award includes two payments of $750 each:
The first payment will be made in May.
The second payment will be made in August.
We will coordinate with recipients to determine the preferred payment method (e.g., bank transfer, PayPal) and finalize details before each payment.
Important Notes:
This fellowship is a one-time award; eligible applicants may reapply in future years.
Payments are contingent upon continued enrollment in the program. We may require proof of enrollment before each payment.
Fellowship payments may be subject to tax reporting requirements. We recommend consulting a tax professional in your country of residence.
Please keep your contact information up to date for important fellowship notifications.
Confirm receipt of each payment for our records.
We accept digital or scanned signatures on receipts and documents for simplicity.
For questions or concerns about the payment process, please reach out—we’re here to help.
Protecting Applicant Privacy
The Suu Myat Than Foundation is committed to maintaining the privacy and integrity of all fellowship applicants. To ensure confidentiality, we have implemented the following measures:
Confidentiality Statements:Each selection committee member signs a confidentiality agreement, committing to handle applicant information strictly for fellowship purposes.
Data Storage: Applicant data is securely stored on a private, access-controlled platform.
Application Retention Policy: Applicant data is retained for three years following selection for audit or reapplication purposes, after which all data is permanently deleted.
Guidance on Sensitive Data: Applicants should avoid providing sensitive information, such as government ID numbers or bank account details, unless relevant to the selection process.
Transparency: We uphold applicants' privacy rights and are transparent about data use and protection.
We value your trust and are committed to upholding the highest data privacy standards throughout the scholarship process. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:How can I track the status of my application?
A: After submission, you’ll receive an acknowledgment email. All applicants will be notified by email once the selection process concludes in May. Q: What if I miss the interview or experience technical issues?
A: If you are unable to attend the interview or face technical difficulties, please contact us immediately. We will do our best to reschedule within the available timeframe. Q: Can I reapply if I don’t receive the scholarship this year?
A: Yes, eligible applicants may reapply in future years. Q: When will I be notified if I am not selected?
A: All applicants will receive a status notification by the end of May. Unfortunately, we cannot provide detailed feedback on individual applications. Q: Will I have priority over other applicants if I receive an award this year?
A: No, each year’s selection is based on current applications. Previous recipients may reapply but do not have priority. Q: How do I submit the application as a single file?
A: You can embed additional documents into the main application file or use an application to merge multiple PDFs into a single file. It is easier to handle a single file for our volunteers.
Contact Information
Please contact us at suumyatthanfoundation@gmail.com or +1 510 735 1962 during business hours (9 AM to 5 PM PST) for assistance.