1. How can I apply for an ITI Scholarship?
To apply for an ITI Scholarship, please follow the link to the Scholarship application portal (available on the ITI website from May 31, midnight UTC until June 30, midnight UTC), log in, and fill in the required information. Your application can be completed over the course of the month of June and does not need to be completed in one sitting, provided it is not submitted. Once submitted, an application cannot be altered.
2. What is the Scholarship application portal?
The Scholarship application portal is the online platform where applicants can submit their applications for the ITI Scholarship Program. Applicants are guided through the application process step by step, ensuring all required materials are completed and submitted correctly.
3. Do I have to complete and submit my application in one session?
No, you do not have to complete and submit the online application form in one session. You can save your progress and return to complete and submit the application at a later time. However, be mindful of the deadline and ensure you submit your application before the closing date and time of the application portal. Late applications and/or applications sent by email or regular post will not be accepted. The Scholarship application portal is available on the ITI website from May 31, midnight UTC until June 30, midnight UTC.
4. Who can I turn to if I have any questions on the application process?
If you have any questions, please contact ITI Headquarters via email at [email protected]
5. Do I need to apply via the ITI Scholarship online application portal?
Yes, only applications submitted via the online application portal and by the application deadline (i.e., the closing date and time of the application portal) will be accepted. Applications sent by email or regular post will not be accepted.
6. I am only interested in one Scholarship Center, do I still have to select three preferred Centers?
Yes, you do. While you may have a preference for one Scholarship Center, it's essential to select three different preferred ITI Scholarship Centers as allocation to your first choice cannot be guaranteed. With several hundred applicants and only limited places, the competition for each ITI Scholarship Center place is high.
7. Will I definitely be allocated to one of the three ITI Scholarship Centers that I enter in my Scholarship application?
The ITI Leadership Development Committee tries to allocate the applicant to one of the three preferred ITI Scholarship Centers listed by the applicant, but it is not always possible. The applicant may be allocated to another ITI Scholarship Center if someone else has already been allocated to the Centers of choice. With several hundred applicants and only limited places, the competition for each ITI Scholarship Center place is high, and candidates selected for an ITI Scholarship are expected to be willing to accept a place at a Scholarship Center that is not one of their three preferred Centers.
8. What should I consider when selecting my three preferred ITI Scholarship Centers?
We strongly recommend carefully reviewing the Scholarship Center descriptions on the ITI website to identify the centers that align best with your professional aspirations.
9. What are the timelines associated with the application and selection process?
Please refer to the illustration below for the timelines associated with the application and selection process.
10. Is a language certificate necessary for non-native speakers when applying for a specific ITI Scholarship Center?
Most ITI Scholarship Centers require non-native English speakers to provide a language proficiency certificate (such as TOEFL or IELTS) before the start of the Scholarship year. Additionally, familiarity with the local language is advantageous and/or required for certain interactions within the center. Specific language requirements for each ITI Scholarship Center are outlined in their respective descriptions on the ITI website.
11. Is it necessary to be an ITI Member to apply for an ITI Scholarship?
Yes, an ITI membership is required for your application and is non-refundable. ITI membership opens doors to a wide range of invaluable benefits designed to support your professional and academic growth. Utilize your membership to enhance your journey as a prospective candidate as well as your chances of success, not only for your Scholarship application, but also your professional growth and aspirations. Engage with the ITI Academy's extensive learning materials, participate in ITI Study Clubs, attend ITI Education Weeks and Section events, develop and strengthen your ties to the ITI community.
12. Does an age limit apply for ITI Scholarship applicants?
Yes, candidates must be 37 years or younger at the time of application. For example, if you turn 38 on or after July 1 of the application year, you are not eligible to apply. Please ensure you meet this age requirement along with all other eligibility criteria outlined on the ITI website.
13. Can I apply for an ITI Scholarship while I am still a postgraduate?
Yes, you can apply for an ITI Scholarship while you are still in postgraduate training. However, your postgraduate training must be completed by the start date of your Scholarship year.
14. I am working on my PhD. Can I do the ITI Scholarship program simultaneously?
No, this is not an option as ITI Scholars are expected to dedicate all their time to the ITI Scholarship. Therefore, PhDs must be finalized before the start of the ITI Scholarship. The same applies to other conflicting responsibilities such as functions in your host clinic, Scholarships from other organizations, family commitments in your home country, etc.
15. How much time is an ITI Scholar expected to spend at the Scholarship Center?
ITI Scholars are expected to spend the full year on-site at the designated Scholarship Center, following the same schedule as the university staff. This includes standard vacation time and public holidays. Regular attendance and active participation in all scheduled activities is mandatory. Spending additional time outside the designated center, beyond scheduled vacations and holidays, is not allowed. This ensures Scholars benefit fully from the program and meet all educational and professional commitments.
16. Can I apply if I am not fluent in English?
Yes. Proficiency in English is important for communicating with ITI Headquarters, Scholarship applications, and within the greater ITI community; however, fluency is not mandatory. Language prerequisites and certification differ among ITI Scholarship Centers, as some Centers may not use English as their main language. Please refer to the specific language requirements on the ITI website.
17. Should I send my documentation to ITI Headquarters?
No, do not send any application-related documents to ITI Headquarters. Documents sent by email or regular post will not be accepted. All required information and documents must be submitted through the online application portal. This ensures that the necessary details are correctly processed and reviewed.
18. If I sign up for ITI membership before I apply and don’t get an ITI Scholarship, will my ITI membership fee be refunded?
No, ITI membership is non-refundable.
19. Are there any restrictions on nationality for applying to the ITI Scholarship Program?
No, there are no restrictions on nationality for applying to the ITI Scholarship Program. The program is open to applicants of all nationalities.
20. Can I apply for a Scholarship Center in my current/home country?
Please note that as an international organization, Scholars will not be allocated to a center in their current/home country. The aim of the ITI Scholarship program is to provide ITI Scholars with an international experience, fostering international exchange along with professional networking as well as cross-cultural learning.
21. Will I definitely be allocated to one of the three ITI Scholarship Centers that I enter in my Scholarship application?
While efforts are made to allocate applicants to one of their preferred ITI Scholarship Centers as indicated in the application, placement is not guaranteed. With several hundred applicants and only limited places, the competition for each ITI Scholarship Center place is high.
22. When will I be notified about the status of my application?
You can expect to receive notifications about the status of your application according to the following timeline: Usually, the first selected applicants will be informed by the end of January of the year following the application, along with the first round of unsuccessful applicants. The remaining applicants will receive notifications by the end of March. If you have not heard anything by then, this means you are on a contact list for last-minute cancellations. Please note that with hundreds of applications received each year, updates are not provided by ITI Headquarters. All applicants will be notified once their application status has been finalized. This may take until the end of March of the year following the application.
23. In which format should I provide the documents I need to upload as part of my online application?
Documents must be provided in commonly used formats, such as PDF documents, Excel for financial aid, and JPEG for images. Specific format requirements may vary depending on the function accessed via the application portal, so be sure to check the guidelines provided in the portal.
24. To whom should my recommendation letters be addressed?
Recommendation letters should be addressed to the ITI Leadership Development Committee at ITI Headquarters in Basel and must be uploaded as a PDF during the online application process when requested. Do not send any separate attachments via email or conventional mail, as these will not be accepted. Additionally, ensure that recommendation letters are hand-signed and dated, and that they are dated from the year of application.
25. How recent should my recommendation letters be?
The recommendation letters must be dated from the year of application.
26. Which requirements must my recommendation letters fulfill?
The recommendation letters must be hand-signed and dated. Please note that the ITI Leadership Development Committee only accepts recommendation letters that have been printed and signed by the supporter before being scanned as PDFs. Electronic signatures are not accepted. Additionally, recommendation letters must be current, dated from the year of application.
27. Must all the documents I need to upload as part of my online application be in English?
Yes, all attachments must be in English.
28. What is a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation is a letter written and signed by an academic or professional who is familiar with your work and character. This letter should explain why the sender believes you should be awarded an ITI Scholarship and demonstrate their familiarity with your accomplishments, personality, and current aspirations. Ideally, the recommendation letter should be written by a professor, ITI Fellow, or similar authority figure. Please note that the ITI Leadership Development Committee only accepts recommendation letters that have been printed and signed by the supporter before being scanned as PDFs. Electronic signatures are not accepted. Additionally, recommendation letters must be current, dated from the year of application.
29. Do I need to provide a CV?
No, a CV is not required when applying for the ITI Scholarship Program. All the necessary information will be collected during the online application process via the application tool.
30. What documents do I need to submit with my application?
The documents below need to be uploaded during the online application process. These documents, except for the picture, must be signed by hand, saved as PDFs, and uploaded to the application profile:
• Two signed letters of recommendation: The recommendations must be recent (year of application) and ideally made by a professor, ITI Fellow, or similar. Please note that only recommendation letters signed by hand will be accepted.
• A picture (passport format - JPG, minimum size 140 x 185 pixels).
• Language certificate (not mandatory in all cases, please see the Scholarship Center descriptions on the ITI website for more information).