Bermudian students aspiring to work in Bermuda's international business sector have been given a welcome boost by a new scheme launched by the Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC).

The Post Graduate Award is valued at $20,000 per year for a period of two years, beginning in the fall of 2008, with the deadline for the application April 15.

"This new and exciting award is the latest addition to ABIC's programme for Bermudian students," said ABIC education chairman, Roy Fellowes.

"International business requires a well-educated workforce, and ABIC already runs the Island's largest scholarship programme for Bermudian university students pursuing undergraduate degrees.

"In the last two years, we have worked to add financial assistance for talented individuals pursuing graduate degrees as well."

In 2006, ABIC announced its first graduate scholarship - a two-year scholarship totalling $40,000 for students studying risk management at Georgia State University's Insurance and Risk Management Faculty.

ABIC has been awarding undergraduate scholarships for 28 years, and hundreds of Bermudians have benefited from the contributions of the international companies collectively, with 21 scholarships being offered last year.

The programme provides scholarships to Bermudian students pursuing higher education at accredited four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities in international business-related studies or supportive of Bermuda's infrastructure necessary for the efficient working of business on the Island.

Applications can be downloaded at ABIC's website at www.abic.bm.