The Jharkhand government will on Tuesday sign an MoU with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the British High Commission to award the Chevening Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship to five meritorious students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and minority community.

The MoU will be signed in the presence of chief minister Hemant Soren, who had made this commitment during the launch of the first Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship last year.

“This step, along with the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship, will expand the opportunities for the youth of Jharkhand to attain quality higher education from world class universities of the UK,” said a statement issued by the state public relations department.

Jharkhand had in September last year started providing financial assistance to selected scholars from tribal communities under the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship scheme that enabled them to pursue courses in premier universities of the UK and northern Ireland.

“Building up on this, the state government has decided to widen the scope of this scholarship by collaborating with (FCDO), British High Commission. Under the umbrella of this MoU, a maximum of five scholars shall be selected every academic year for the prestigious Chevening Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship,” the statement said.

Under the scheme, scholars will receive tuition fees, including exam and thesis costs, a monthly stipend to cover the cost of living of the student, allowance package and return airfare. “The scholarship will be awarded to pursue a one-year Master’s degree at selected and esteemed universities of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Applicants need to have two years of work, or equivalent experience, to be eligible. The Chevening Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship will start in the UK academic year of 2023-24 and will continue in effect for a three-year period (till 2025-26),” the statement stated.

“During the launch of the first Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship last year, Hemant had shared his vision of including the scholars belonging to the SC, ST, Backward Classes and minority communities apart from tribals in the scheme. In less than a year, the state is to witness the fruition of the mutual efforts made by Hemant and the British High Commission with the inking of this partnership,” said the statement.

The expanded version of the scholarship will now cover a maximum of 25 scholars against 10 earlier. A maximum of 10 talented scholars from the Scheduled Tribes, five from the Scheduled Castes, three from minorities and seven from the Backward Classes can achieve their aspirations by enrolling themselves in Master’s/ M Phil courses.

The last day to apply for the scholarship is November 1.