Humberto Laudares, a PhD student in Development Economics, was chosen to receive the scholarship for a second year. Humberto, a Brazilian national, has a Master’s in Public Administration (economic policy) from Columbia University and previously interned at the World Bank in Washington.

The contributions for the scholarship come from 30 individual chapter members each year, who give between USD 50 and USD 750. “We Washington alumni are happy to give back to our beloved Institute, from which we have received so much”, said Paul Mathieu, president of the chapter. The full scholarship is given to a doctoral student at the Graduate Institute who has a degree from a US university, irrespective of nationality and field of study. The award is based on academic achievement with financial needs taken into account as a second criterion.

Institute Director Philippe Burrin said: “The way in which the Washington chapter has continuously mobilised over the past four years to provide opportunities to young scholars is a significant accomplishment and a shining example for the rest of the Alumni community”. The scholarship was made possible through the support of the former FERIS of America (through 2011) and since then from the Friends of the Graduate Institute Foundation, a non-profit organisation devoted to supporting the Institute’s mission, programmes, and students. Contributions through the Friends Foundation are US tax-deductible.