Fellowship – Suu Myat Than Foundation

Eligibility Criteria for Mental Health Fellowship Recipients:

To be eligible for this specialized fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

Residency and Background: Applicants must be citizens of Myanmar or demonstrate proof of prior residency in Myanmar.

Graduate Enrollment: Must be accepted into or currently enrolled in a full-time, accredited Master’s or Doctoral (Ph.D.) program with a focus on Mental Health, Psychology, Counseling, or related fields.

Geographic Scope: The program must be located at an accredited university in Asia or internationally.

Demonstrated Commitment: Must clearly demonstrate a proven commitment and capacity to make a tangible positive impact on mental health outcomes within Myanmar or among Myanmar communities worldwide.

Financial Necessity: Must show a verifiable need for financial support to ensure the successful completion of the graduate program.

Our Selection Process:

1.Prescreening: The selection committee will evaluate applicants’ submissions based on the established criteria. Applicants who achieve a score of 60 or above out of 100 will be invited to a virtual interview via Zoom.

2. Interview: IIn the second round, committee members will interview shortlisted candidates and assign additional scores of up to 100 points based on their interview performance.

3. Awarding Fellowships: Fellowships will be granted to the applicants with the highest total scores across both rounds.

Selection Criteria:

We evaluate applicants based on a holistic assessment of their financial need, academic promise, character, and vision for impact. Below are the ten criteria we use in our selection process:

Financial Necessity (Priority): We prioritize applicants facing critical financial challenges that would otherwise prevent them from pursuing or completing their education. Please provide thorough details on the financial barriers impacting your studies.

Academic Excellence: We seek students who demonstrate a proven record of academic achievement. Highlight notable grades, recognition, and any specialized accomplishments in your field of study.

Resilience and Adaptability: We value candidates who have shown exceptional resilience and the ability to thrive despite adversity. Share experiences where you overcame signifiant obstacles or successfully adjusted to major changes.

Community Impact: We look for individuals who actively contribute to their communities. Please describe your volunteer work, mentorship, or other activities and the tangible positive impact you have made on those around you.

Leadership Potential: We seek applicants who demonstrate leadership skills in formal or informal capacities. Provide specific examples where you led a project, organized an initiative, or motivated others toward a goal.

Passion for Learning: We support students who are genuinely curious and committed to continuous growth. Discuss how your passion drives you to seek knowledge beyond formal coursework and what you hope to achieve through learning.

Clear Educational Goals: We prioritize applicants with a well-defined vision for their academic journey. Clearly articulate your educational and career goals and how receiving this scholarship is a necessary step to realize that vision.

Interpersonal Skills: We value strong communication, collaboration, and empathy. Share experiences demonstrating your ability to work effectively in teams, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships.

Motivation for the Scholarship: Tell us why this scholarship is essential and what difference it will specifically make in your life and academic progress. We want to support students for whom this award is truly vital.

Potential for Long-Term Impact: We support students whose education will lead to positive change in Myanmar or globally. Share your vision for how your knowledge and skills will enable you to make a lasting difference in your community or field.

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 for Recipients:

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: Committee members sign non-disclosure agreements and use applicant data strictly for selection purposes.
Secure Storage: All applicant data is stored on a private, access-controlled platform with restricted authorization.
3-Year Data Retention: Applications are securely archived for 3 years for audit purposes, then permanently deleted.
Sensitive Data Caution: Please do not submit unnecessary sensitive details like government ID or bank account numbers.
Transparency & Support: We ensure full data transparency. Contact us anytime if you have privacy concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q:How can I track the status of my application?

A: After submitting your application, you will receive an acknowledgment email. All applicants will be notified by email once the selection process concludes in May.

Q: What should I do if I miss the interview or experience technical issues?

A: If you are unable to attend the interview or face any technical difficulties, please contact us immediately. We will make every effort to reschedule your interview within the available timeframe.

Q: Can I reapply if I don’t receive the scholarship this year?

A: Yes, applicants who are eligible may reapply in future years.

Q: When will I be notified if I am not selected?

A: All applicants will be notified of their status by email by the end of January. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide detailed feedback on individual applications.

Q: Will I have priority over other applicants if I receive an award this year?

No, each year’s selection is based on current applications. Previous recipients may reapply but do not have priority.

Contact Information

Please contact us at fellowship@suumyatthan.org or +1 510 735 1962 during business hours (9 AM to 5 PM PST) for additional support.

2026 Fellowship Program in Mental Health and Psychology