Bursaries

Jersey Overseas Aid actively encourages islanders to get involved in overseas projects. JOA’s two bursary programmes seek to financially support professionals, young people or career changers to exchange and share knowledge while learning new skills and experiencing new cultures.

Personal bursary

Our personal volunteering bursaries provide up to £1,000 towards your living costs while you give up your time for others.

Whether it’s part of a bigger trip or a dedicated mercy mission, a working holiday or a taster of a new career, if you’re helping others we can help you. You’ll need to be working with a recognised organisation for a minimum of two weeks, and doing something that helps those less fortunate than ourselves. Teaching and conservation work count too!

If you are interested in applying, please fill in the Volunteer Bursary Application Form. The eligibility criteria can be found in the appendix of this form.

Professional bursary

If you are a professional who wants to share your skills in a new context, JOA can provide funding of up to £10,000 for extended placements abroad. The bursary can cover reasonable expenses from Jersey to country, living expenses and vaccinations but will not exceed £10,000. 

Transferring knowledge and providing technical assistance is one of the most efficient forms of aid. It can also greatly benefit the individual who is sharing their skills– deepening proficiency, adding new perspectives and experience, and providing a great sense of professional satisfaction.

Maybe you’re a social worker who could help traumatised Syrian refugee children, an accountant who can get a Nepali charity’s financial management in order, a physio who could train African colleagues on new techniques, or an IT expert who can take an East African social enterprise to a new level. If you have an idea please contact us and we’ll discuss whether we can support it.

If you are interested in applying, please fill in Professional Bursary Application Form.

Application Guidelines

If you are interested in applying for a bursary, please review the guidelines below and get in touch with us for an informal chat (via enquiries@joa.je) before submitting any application forms.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be over 18 years old.
  • Applicants must be resident in Jersey and deemed ‘Entitled’ (10 years residency) or ‘Entitled to Work’ (5 years residency).
  • Professional bursaries only: Applicants must possess a professionally recognised qualification or otherwise be able to demonstrate their expertise in a particular field. 

Conditions

  • Applicants must demonstrate how their work will make a real difference to poor communities in developing countries.
  • The overseas work must be at least 2 weeks in duration.
  • Applicants must complete a Safeguarding training course specifically designed for the humanitarian & development sector: https://kayaconnect.org/course/info.php?id=1424 Please send a copy of the certificate to enquiries@joa.je .
  • Applicants must send evidence of an enhanced DBS check and send the certificate to enquiries@joa.je
  • JOA will not fund projects that take place in countries or within an area where the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel.
  • In some cases (particularly for professional bursaries), applicants will require professional insurance for undertaking overseas work e.g. for undertaking medical work or providing legal advice. If this applies to you, please provide details and send evidence to enquiries@joa.je. If you are unsure please contact us.
  • Within one month of completion of the project the applicant will be required to complete a report including abstract, description and key achievements. High resolution JPEG images of the project activities are also desired.
  • Bursary details, including text and images from reporting, may be used in publications and on JOA’s website.

Selection

  • Applicants must submit the appropriate Bursary Application Form.
  • Two written references will be required, one professional reference from a current or recent employer and one character reference (not from a family member).
  • An open-source social media screening will be conducted on all applicants.

Click here to download the guidelines

Talk to us about a bursary application

If you’d like to chat about applying for a bursary, please email us at enquiries@joa.je or call us on 01534 446901.