For the sixth year running, Sail Training International (STI) is proud and privileged to announce that the Oman Bursary Scheme is open for applications.
The scheme is available to financially or physically disadvantaged people between 15 and 25 years – regardless of background, nationality, physical ability, or sailing experience. To find out more about the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta and Tall Ships Races 2017, and book your place to sail on board, visit our Events page.
Why should you apply?
Participating in a Tall Ships Race or Regatta can be a positive, life-changing experience. The purpose of the bursary is to give people the opportunity to benefit from this. To ensure that we continue to encourage people from around the world to sail on board, the bursary scheme is limited to those who have not taken part in a Race or Regatta before. A maximum of €500 will be awarded to each successful applicant.
Download your Oman Bursary form here.
Sail On Board
We receive applications from a huge variety of young people from all walks of life and from all over the world. Trainees’ support letters often reveal their dedication, motivation and sometimes the difficulties that they’ve faced, such as health and personal problems. Those who are awarded the Oman Bursary achieve something special – they become part of a team of people from different nationalities in a new and exciting environment, they form friendships, and they make memories that last a lifetime.
There is no closing date for bursary applications, but places are available on a first come first served basis. In previous years, all places have been filled as early as March!
History of the Oman Bursary
STI has enjoyed a long, positive relationship with Oman. The country is regularly involved with our events and is committed to developing young people. Both things that we value!
The scheme was trialled at the Tall Ships Races in 2011 and launched officially in 2012 – the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) has funded the scheme every year since.
Since 2013, RNO and STI have worked together to bring young Omanis to Europe to participate in STI events on board other nations’ ships. The RNO also presents the annual Sultan Qaboos Trophy to the organisation or individual who has done the most to promote sail training for young people.
In 2014, the RNO celebrated the delivery of a brand new sail training vessel, Shabab Oman II. This new ship replaced the Shabab Oman (Youth of Oman), which had a long and proud sail training history – she won the prestigious International Friendship Trophy nine times! The beautiful Shabab Oman II continues Oman’s sail training success story, promoting international friendship and peace.
Over the last six years RNO donations have helped many disadvantaged young people take part in our events through the Sultanate of Oman Bursary Fund. So far, more than 500 trainees have benefited from the fund, and at our most recent International Sail Training and Tall Ships Conference, it was announced that the RNO have agreed to continue the scheme until 2020.
So, if you’re interested in applying – and we really think you should be – just download the application form here. (Once you’ve completed your application form, save it and email it to bursaries@sailtraininginternational.org.)
