SCI-Arc is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity in partnership with Colombia. SCI-Arc Bogota, the school’s first initiative in South America, launched in September of 2016 with international programs of study, exhibitions, conferences, and dialogues. As a platform, SCI-Arc Bogota is a conduit to university headquarters in Los Angeles, in addition to other international initiatives—particularly SCI-Arc Mexico—that encourages aspiring Colombian architects to join the Institute’s graduate and undergraduate programs, and study with a faculty of renowned architects that includes Frank Gehry, Thom Mayne, Eric Owen Moss, and its director Hernan Diaz Alonso as well as new design leaders such as Elena Manferdini, Tom Wiscombe, John Enright, Marcelyn Gow, Florencia Pita, and Marcelo Spina.

“We are happy to continue expanding SCI-Arc’s relationship with diverse parts of the world and are thrilled to have long-time friend of SCI-Arc, Juan Ricardo Rincon Gaviria, on board,” Diaz Alonso says. “We’re particularly excited to partner with the prestigious scholarship foundation COLFUTURO.”

Juan Rincón, principal at Taller Paralelo Arquitectos, is SCI-Arc’s local program coordinator. Rincón is the designer of Centro Creativo Textura; the director of “Feria del Millón” art fair; and is head curator of VOLTAJE new media art show. He currently develops projects in New York and for the Saatchi gallery in London.

In addition to an extensive educational curriculum, the initiative also includes double-degree accreditation with the University of the Andes’ masters program, and a full annual scholarship grant for Colombian students with the Foundation for the Future of Colombia (COLFUTURO). The Foundation was created in 1991 by a group of Colombian leaders from the public and private sectors whose mission is to promote, guide, and finance graduate studies for Colombian professionals in some of the world’s best universities.

COLFUTURO´s annual selection process for the Loan-Scholarship Program is open between January 10 and February 28. The COLFUTURO program awards up to $50,000 over two years to fund graduate studies. Results are published by mid-May. SCI-Arc is excited to announce that it will match the COLFUTURO scholarship for the selected student. 

The loan converts into a partial scholarship when students return to Colombia and reside in the country for a pre-established period. In order to qualify for the scholarship, students must comply with all requirements defined by COLFUTURO. The scholarship is granted as follows:

• 20 percent for MBA programs and masters in the fields of administration and law;
• And 40 percent for masters in all other areas and all doctoral programs.

Two additional 20 percent bonuses can be given as follows:

• Beneficiaries who work full time in the public sector, or as academics or researchers, will receive 10 percent during the first year; 5 percent the second year; and 5 percent the third year for a total of 20 percent . 
• Beneficiaries who work in a city outside Bogota or its metropolitan area will receive 10 percent during the first year; 5 percent the second year; and 5 percent the third year for a total of 20%.

Loans must be paid by the beneficiary on a monthly basis, upon his or her return to Colombia, according to the established amortization period, which cannot exceed a 5-year term.

In addition, SCI-arc Bogota collaborates closely with the mayor’s office in the development of case studies for The Memory Museum, Tunjuelo City, the Ciudad Bolívar Cable Car, and the Bogotá Metro System.

To learn more, visit sciarc.edu/scholarships and http://www.colfuturo.org/convocatoria.