Ministers detail government and public service scholarships
Of the nearly 500 applications for the Government’s 2026 Scholarships and Awards programme, 100 students were successful.
Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, provided the update during during the House of Assembly sitting on Friday.
Some of the 499 applications may have included students who applied for multiple scholarships. Mr Rabain committed to breaking down the numbers at a later date.
He said: “The Government has steadily increased its investment in scholarships and awards, with the annual value of scholarships and awards now reaching approximately $2.15 million with an additional $450k budgeted for the College Promise Programme for a total of $2.6 million in total support being given.”
The highest level is the Bermuda Government Scholarship. Each provides funding of up to $35,000 per year for as many as four years.
This year, six government scholarships were awarded.
The Minister’s Achievement Scholarship supports graduating students from CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute pursuing overseas postsecondary education. These scholarships are valued at up to $25,000 annually for up to four years.
There were four recipients this year in fields including actuarial science, electrical technology, business and health science.
The Minister’s Exceptional Student Award provides support of up to $25,000 annually for overseas study, while the Minister’s Technical and Vocational Award provides up to $25,000 for overseas study or $7,500 for local study. These awards can be held for up to four years.
The Government is also continuing its investment in educators through the Teacher Education Scholarship, valued at up to $20,000 and tenable for up to three years. Four successful applicants are pursuing qualifications in areas including elementary education, secondary physical education and physical education.
The Reverend Emily-Gail Dill, the Minister of The Cabinet Office, provided an update on the Government’s Public Service Scholarship Programme during Parliament.
The programme provides tuition support of up to $30,000 per year, renewable for up to three years, for Bermudians pursuing studies in critical posts that are hard to fill.
The spring 2026 award cycle attracted approximately 34 applications received. Following the assessment and interview process, awards were assigned across priority roles in the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice.
Dr Dill said: “While two awards were subsequently declined, the process demonstrated strong public interest in opportunities that connect education, career development and service to Bermuda.”
A total of $500,000 was allotted to the programme and of this amount, $316,000 was used for the spring 2026 awards including support of existing bursary students, leaving $184,000 available to support the fall 2026 awards.
There are 13 advertised posts in the fall 2026 cycle across public works, environmental and natural resources, planning and health.
These include engineering, veterinary, planning, environmental health, dental, speech language pathology, nursing and environmental co-ordination roles.
Recipients are required to return to Bermuda after completing their studies and serve in an approved public service role for five years.
Mr Rabain said one of the most significant areas of expansion this year was the Further Education Award which provides up to $10,000 for one year.
For 2026, 50 undergraduate students 20 postgraduate students will receive these awards.
Mr Rabain said: “That means that 70 Bermudians will receive assistance through this programme alone, helping students to continue and complete the qualifications they have already worked so hard to pursue.”
The Non-Traditional Student Award, we are supporting mature students aged 25 and over who are pursuing postsecondary education.
The Government is also continuing the Caribbean Students Award, supporting Bermudian students pursuing undergraduate and graduate education within the Caribbean. Its three successful applicants are pursuing medical degrees.
Mr Rabain said: “Our scholarship recipients are pursuing studies across a broad range of disciplines from medicine, nursing and biomedical science to civil engineering, electrical technology, actuarial science, education, occupational therapy, business, the arts and other areas.”
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