The Regional Government has approved the establishment of José Medeiros Ferreira Programme, an initiative intended to award scholarships for postgraduate courses in "institutions of acknowledged quality and prestige in the area of specialised teaching on European affairs."

The resolution issued by the Council of the Government, published in the Official Journal on Friday, considers the fact that José Medeiros Ferreira, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, "prepared and formalised Portugal's request for accession to the European Economic Community is a great source of pride for all Azoreans."

According to the resolution, the Government of the Azores aims to award priority status to "improve the technical preparation of regional entities and the integration of Azorean technicians into EU institutions" through the training of specialised staff."

The new programme applies to courses that "have been the subject of a written agreement" signed with the Government of the Azores providing for the awarding of scholarships intended to support, partially or fully, several expenses, including tuition fees, accommodation and a round trip from the Azores to the country where the course is being attended.

In return, the beneficiaries of the "José Medeiros Ferreira" scholarship are required to present reports on the course, prepare papers on themes of relevant or specific interest to the Region and be available to participate in initiatives promoted by the Regional Government.

Under this programme, the Regional Government has already signed an agreement for the awarding of a scholarship for a postgraduate course at the College of Europe - the first private university institution specialised in European affairs and one of the most reputable institutions at an international level. The College of Europe annually welcomes an average of 400 students from 56 countries in the campuses of Bruges, Belgium, and Natolin, Poland.

The application deadline for the postgraduate course on European Studies for the academic year 2014/2015 will take place until January 15. These courses cover the areas of Law, Economics, Politics and Administration, International and Diplomatic Relations and Interdisciplinary European Studies.

Applicants must hold a master's degree under the Bologna process (or similar), with a final average equal or above 13, and should be fluent in English and French, written and spoken.

Should be the application be accepted, the process will be conducted under the terms of the general rules. The admission to the College of Europe will be made by the Selection Committee in Portugal after the examination of applicants by a jury that includes a representative of the Azores.

All applicants up to the age of 30 who have applied for postgraduate courses at the College of Europe are eligible for the "José Medeiros Ferreira" scholarship. Furthermore, applicants are also required to have resided for at least three years in the Region, where they should have completed their secondary education or, exceptionally, junior high school.
 
For further information, all those who are interested should consult the portal of the Government of the Azores at www.azores.gov.pt and the portal of the College of Europe at www.coleurope.eu or contact the services of the Cabinet of the Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations via email: [email protected].