A partnership between the Netherland-America Foundation and Maastricht University, the Heersink Family Global Health Internship Grant will provide an annual award to a select number of students in the Master’s Program of Global Health at Maastricht University. This fund, in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, will enable awardees to pursue a global health-related internship in the United States.
The inspiration for this scholarship is Princess Margriet’s passionate devotion to public health as exemplified by the Red Cross Princess Margriet Fund, her patronage of VISION 2020 Nederland, and her timely focus on antimicrobial resistance, which the World Health Organization has just identified as one of the top ten global health threats.
Princess Margriet is honorary chair of the Master’s of Global Health Program initiated by the partner universities of Maastricht University and McMaster University in Canada. Her leadership in this Master’s program has been profound, and she has been keenly involved with the advisory board, academic leaders and the students since its inception in 2011.
Grant Overview
The NAF and Heersink Family Charitable Foundation have created a special fund that provides financial support to Dutch students who have recently graduated from the Master of Global Health program at Maastricht University to pursue an internship in the United States. Students will be required to arrange their own internship and housing; the grant will cover their flight, J-1 visa, and a stipend for living expenses, for up to six months.
To apply, you must be a student or recent graduate from the Master’s of Global Health Program at Maastricht University. If a recent graduate, your internship should start no more than one year after your date of graduation in order to be eligible for a J-1 visa.
One of the most difficult challenges to overcome for Dutch students is to get international global health-related experience in the period immediately after they complete their master’s degree. This initiative bridges the gap by offering recently graduated students an opportunity to gain critical international work experience in the US, a hotbed for healthcare innovation. Students will be offered the opportunity to engage with a reputable institution and make this important step towards their professional career by expanding their factual knowledge base and resume. This internship will offer international experience along with knowledge and skills learned on the job; a chance to network with professionals working in another part of the world; increase one’s global marketability; and lead to a personal life enrichment for the rest of one’s life.
Award Package
- A monthly stipend of up to $1,500 (maximum duration: 6 months)
- Travel reimbursement of $1,000
- Payment for the cost of the J-1 visa required for internships, as well as logistical assistance in securing the visa
- When applicable, invitations to NAF events
This award provides up to $10,000 in direct support, at no cost to you or your host company.
The Global Health Educational Program
Maastricht University’s Global Health Program has students from across the world. Under the umbrella of this international global health program, students from the following associate universities learn and collaborate digitally in real time:
- Thammasat University, Thailand
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India
- McMaster University, Canada
- Rosario University, Colombia
- Afhad University for Women, Sudan
- University College of South-East Norway, Norway
To learn more about this innovative graduate program, please visit the University of Maastricht or McMaster University websites.
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