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The Kac Global Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme 2024/25

Are you a smoker who wants to pursue a master’s degree in a smoke-free country? Do you have a passion for tobacco control and public health? If yes, then you might be interested in the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship. This scholarship is a unique opportunity for smokers from low- and middle-income countries to study in a high-income country that has strict anti-smoking laws and policies. The scholarship aims to expose smokers to the benefits of quitting smoking and the harms of tobacco use, as well as to equip them with the skills and knowledge to advocate for tobacco harm reduction and cessation in their home countries. The scholarship is funded by the Tobacco Harm Reduction Foundation (THR) and the Korean Anti-Cancer Association (KAC), two non-governmental organizations that are committed to reducing the burden of tobacco-related diseases and deaths worldwide.

The THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship is a full scholarship that covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and health insurance for one academic year. The scholarship is open to applicants who are current smokers and have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field. The scholarship is offered for master’s programs in public health, health promotion, health policy, health economics, or related disciplines at selected universities in countries that have implemented the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world’s first global health treaty that aims to protect people from the devastating consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure. The scholarship is highly competitive and only 10 scholarships are available each year.

Scholarship Provider

The THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship is jointly provided by the Tobacco Harm Reduction Foundation (THR) and the Korean Anti-Cancer Association (KAC). The THR is a non-profit organization that supports research, education, and advocacy on tobacco harm reduction, which is a public health strategy that aims to reduce the risks associated with smoking by providing smokers with safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes, such as e-cigarettes, snus, and heated tobacco products. The THR believes that smokers have the right to choose less harmful products and that these products can play a vital role in helping smokers quit or reduce their smoking. The KAC is a non-profit organization that works to prevent and control cancer in Korea and around the world. The KAC conducts various activities, such as cancer screening, awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, and international cooperation, to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer, especially those caused by tobacco use. The KAC is a member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest international cancer organization.

Eligible Applicants

The THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship is open to applicants who meet the following criteria:

• They are current smokers who smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day.
• They are citizens of a low- or middle-income country, as defined by the World Bank.
• They have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, such as public health, health promotion, health policy, health economics, or related disciplines, from a recognized institution.
• They have a minimum of two years of work experience in a tobacco-related field, such as tobacco control, tobacco research, tobacco industry, or tobacco advocacy.
• They have a high level of proficiency in English, as evidenced by a valid TOEFL or IELTS score or other equivalent tests.
• They have a strong motivation and commitment to pursue a master’s degree in a smoke-free country and to contribute to tobacco harm reduction and cessation in their home country after completing their studies.

Host Country

The THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship is offered for master’s programs in public health, health promotion, health policy, health economics, or related disciplines at selected universities in countries that have implemented the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCTC is the world’s first global health treaty that aims to protect people from the devastating consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure. The FCTC requires its parties to adopt and implement various measures to reduce the demand and supply of tobacco products, such as tax increases, advertising bans, smoke-free environments, health warnings, cessation support, and regulation of novel products. The FCTC also encourages international cooperation and assistance among its parties to address the global tobacco epidemic. The countries that are eligible to host the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship are:

• Australia
• Canada
• Finland
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Singapore
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• United States

Scholarship Worth

The THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship is a full scholarship that covers the following expenses for one academic year:

• Tuition fees at the host university
• Living expenses, such as accommodation, food, and transportation
• Travel costs, such as airfare, visa, and insurance
• Health insurance at the host country
• A monthly stipend of $1,000 USD for personal expenses
• A one-time allowance of $500 USD for books and materials
• A one-time allowance of $1,000 USD for research and thesis expenses

Level and Field of Study

The THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship is offered for master’s programs in public health, health promotion, health policy, health economics, or related disciplines at selected universities in countries that have implemented the FCTC. The scholarship is not available for other fields of study or other levels of education.

How to Apply

The application process for the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship consists of the following steps:

• Step 1: Find a suitable master’s program at one of the selected universities in one of the eligible countries. You can use the Bing search engine to search for the programs that match your interests and qualifications. You can also visit the websites of the universities to find more information about the programs, such as the admission requirements, curriculum, duration, and fees.
• Step 2: Apply for admission to the master’s program of your choice. You will need to submit the required documents, such as your academic transcripts, degree certificates, English proficiency test scores, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and resume. You will also need to pay the application fee, if applicable. You should follow the instructions and deadlines of the host university for the admission process. You should also indicate in your application that you are applying for the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship.
• Step 3: Apply for the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship. You will need to fill out an online application form and upload the following documents:
  • A copy of your passport or national identity card
  • A copy of your admission letter or proof of application to the master’s program
  • A copy of your TOEFL or IELTS score or other equivalent tests
  • A copy of your academic transcripts and degree certificates
  • Two letters of recommendation from your current or former employers or professors
  • A personal statement of no more than 500 words that explains why you are applying for the scholarship, how the scholarship will benefit you and your home country, and what are your plans after completing your studies
  • A research proposal of no more than 1,000 words that outlines the topic, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes of your master’s thesis, as well as its relevance to tobacco harm reduction and cessation
• Step 4: Wait for the selection results. The selection committee will review your application and conduct an online interview with you if you are shortlisted. The selection criteria will include your academic performance, work experience, English proficiency, motivation, commitment, and research potential. The final decision will be announced by email and on the website of the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship. The successful applicants will receive a scholarship offer letter and a contract that specifies the terms and conditions of the scholarship.

Countries that can Apply

The THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship is open to applicants who are citizens of a low- or middle-income country, as defined by the World Bank.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• They must be current smokers who smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day. They must provide a self-declaration of their smoking status and a medical certificate that confirms their nicotine dependence.
• They must be citizens of a low- or middle-income country, as defined by the World Bank. They must not hold dual citizenship or permanent residency in a high-income country.
• They must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, such as public health, health promotion, health policy, health economics, or related disciplines, from a recognized institution. They must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.
• They must have a minimum of two years of work experience in a tobacco-related field, such as tobacco control, tobacco research, tobacco industry, or tobacco advocacy. They must provide a letter of recommendation from their current or former employer or supervisor that describes their role and achievements in the field.
• They must have a high level of proficiency in English, as evidenced by a valid TOEFL or IELTS score or other equivalent tests. They must have a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT or 6.5 on the IELTS or equivalent.
• They must have a strong motivation and commitment to pursue a master’s degree in a smoke-free country and to contribute to tobacco harm reduction and cessation in their home country after completing their studies. They must provide a personal statement that explains why they are applying for the scholarship, how the scholarship will benefit them and their home country, and what are their plans after completing their studies.
• They must have a research proposal that outlines the topic, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes of their master’s thesis, as well as its relevance to tobacco harm reduction and cessation. They must provide a research proposal that is no more than 1,000 words and follows the guidelines of the host university.

Scholarship Deadline

The deadline for applying for the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship is April 30, 2024. Applicants must submit their online application form and upload their supporting documents by this date. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants are advised to start their application process as early as possible and to check the website of the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship for any updates or changes.

Scholarship Link

For more information about the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship, such as the application form, the list of selected universities, the terms and conditions of the scholarship, and the contact details of the scholarship coordinators, please visit the official website of the scholarship. You can also follow the social media accounts of the THR and the KAC to get the latest news and updates about the scholarship and the activities of the organizations. The THR and the KAC are looking forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to the THR/KAC Smoking Master’s Scholarship community. Good luck and happy smoking!