The Organization of American States manages the OAS Special Caribbean Fellowships Program (SPECAF), which assists academically excellent undergraduates in their last two years of school.
It provides critical opportunities for citizens and residents of English-speaking Caribbean OAS member countries and Suriname to pursue higher education with full financial support.
About the OAS Special Caribbean Fellowships Program (SPECAF)
SPECAF, established in 1983, is part of the larger OAS Academic Scholarship Program, which began in 1958 to fund master’s, doctoral, and graduate studies in the Americas. SPECAF primarily targets undergraduate students, granting scholarships for completing their degrees in the United States in accordance with the OAS handbook rules for scholarship and training programs.
Further OAS-driven initiatives, such as the Partnerships Program for Education and Training (PAEC) and the Professional Development Scholarships Program (PDSP), provide further educational opportunities throughout the Americas.
Characteristics of OAS Academic Scholarships
OAS Academic Scholarships for Undergraduate Studies are offered to citizens/residents of OAS Member States in the English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname for the final two academic years of a bachelor’s degree.
Scholarships are provided for full-time studies at any university in an OAS Member State, including those affiliated with the OAS Consortium of Universities.
Scholarships are not provided for study at universities in the applicant’s sponsoring nation.
- Study Modality: On-site, online, or a combination of the two. Scholarship applications for online education will be prioritized at the time of selection.
- Scholarships are provided for at least one (1) academic year and up to two (2) academic years.
- OAS Scholarship Recipients must pledge to return and stay in the sponsoring country for at least 24 months after completing their program of study.
- OAS Scholarship recipients studying online must commit to staying in the sponsoring country for the same amount of time.
- OAS Scholarships for studies should be defined within the objectives and priorities specified in the Organization’s Comprehensive Strategic Plan.
- The Academic Program does not provide scholarships for medical science studies or language acquisition.
- OAS staff members, OAS consultants, staff members of the Permanent Missions to the OAS, and their relatives may apply for an Academic Scholarship up to six months after the termination of their job connection or contract.
- The scholarships are contingent upon the availability of OAS funds.
OAS Special Caribbean Fellowships Program (SPECAF) Requirements
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of an OAS member country.
- Possess the necessary language skills to pursue studies in the language of the institution in the country of study.
- Have completed the first two (2) years of an undergraduate degree, or hold an associate’s degree.
- Have a GPA higher than the minimum standard set by the university.
- To complete the program, you need to be in good physical and mental health.
ONE in the Member States may have extra eligibility criteria. Please contact the ONE in your country for further information.
Documents Needed
- Copies of your Associate degree diploma, if appropriate. A copy of the high school diploma is required for candidates who have previously enrolled in the Bachelor’s degree program.
- Copies of your Associate’s degree transcripts, if appropriate. For candidates who are already enrolled in the Bachelor’s degree program, provide the most recent transcripts from their present program of study.
- Two recommendation letters: Preferably from current or past instructors using the OAS Recommendation Statement Form, or a former employer using the Employer Recommendation Form.
- Recommendations from family will not be accepted.
- If you are currently unemployed or have never worked, attach a letter from a professor or someone who can serve as a reference for your abilities as a student or professional.
- Copy of the Official Identification Card (ID) – Government-issued ID from the sponsoring country or passport.
- For transfer students, submit a curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages) and an entrance letter to their program starting in 2026.
Scholarship Benefits
The OAS Academic Scholarships are intended to supplement the Scholarship Recipient’s expenses rather than cover them entirely. Scholarships have a monetary limit of US $10,000 each academic year. Benefits may cover the following, in order of priority:
- Tuition and obligatory costs.
- Health Insurance
- Monthly supplemental subsistence allowance.
- Round-trip airfare.
- Yearly book allowance
Application Procedures
STEP 1
Scan all essential documents (black and white) into a single PDF file that is no more than 8MB. Upload the PDF to your online application.
(Please ensure your documents are legible.)
The OAS will not evaluate incomplete applications. Make sure to include all documents and forms required by the OAS in the online application.
STEP 2
After submitting your application, the OAS will send you an email with a PDF copy of your completed application. SEND the application form and all necessary documents to the ONE in your country.
The ONE will undertake an in-country pre-selection of candidates; thus, get information on how the ONE handles the application receiving process so that you can send them all of the documentation necessary by the OAS and the ONE.
The OAS will form a selection committee to perform the final selection at its headquarters.
If you have not received an email confirmation from the OAS online application system after 72 hours, please contact us at scholarships@oas.org.
Date and deadlines
The summary sources do not include specific deadlines because they change on a yearly basis. Prospective applicants must check official OAS updates or contact their country’s OAS representative for the latest dates.
However, the deadline for submission is Friday, March 7, 2026.
Note: check the website of the OAS website for the updated dates.
Conclusion
The OAS Special Caribbean Fellowships Program (SPECAF) provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Caribbean undergraduate students reaching the end of their studies. With tuition and living expenses covered, as well as outstanding academic and institutional support, it can make a huge difference in your educational journey. Start preparing early and keep an eye on official channels to ensure a timely and competitive application.
