Bakala Foundation’s 2019 Scholarship Program Selects 17 New Scholars

Seventeen Czech students have been named recipients of the 2019 Bakala Foundation Scholarship. In its 10th year, the Scholarship Program helps high-achieving, economically-disadvantaged students afford the cost of studying at world-class universities abroad. The foundation received 235 applications for this year’s award, an increase of 35 from last year. From a pool of 26 finalists, an 11-member panel of academic experts selected 17 new Bakala Scholars, of whom eight will receive financial aid to complete their bachelor’s degree, and nine will use the award to complete a master’s degree. Scholars were selected for their academic excellence, enthusiasm for their chosen field of study, and intellectual aptitude. The new scholars include future physicists, biologists, economists, political scientists, and artists. Most will study at universities in the United Kingdom, while three will study in the United States. Since 2010, the Bakala Foundation has granted more than 128 million Czech crowns to finance the education of 137 scholars. Every year, the Foundation allocates 5 million Czech crowns to finance the new scholars’ studies.

“I am glad that I am able to welcome even more talented young people to our family of scholars, all of whom have not only achieved excellent educational results, but also have the courage to complete demanding studies abroad,” says Michaela Bakala, Chairwoman of the Bakala Foundation Board of Trustees. “I look forward to seeing them succeed, both in their lives now and subsequently in their professions. I am certain that there are future experts and leaders in various fields among them.” The selection committee included Michaela Bakala, Kristýna Burdová Borsodi, Irma Comstocková, Lukáš Čermák, Ondřej Černý, Cyril Höschl, Michal Pěchouček, Jonathan Stein, Vanda Thorne and Michael Žantovský. It was chaired by Pepper de Callier. According to panelist Professor Michal Pěchouček, head of the Artificial Intelligence Center at the Czech Technical University in Prague, “The main criteria we use to select a new scholar is based on to what extent we are able to change the young person’s life. We try to choose those students who are best prepared to succeed at the world’s best universities.” Click here for more information about the Scholarship Program. Photo: Ondřej Besperát, video: Jan Zrzavý

New Scholars, Master’s Programs