The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a $26 million expansion to its Program to Extend Scholarship and Training to Achieve Sustainable Impact (PRESTASI). Under the expanded scholarship program, Indonesian public servants can earn postgraduate degrees in the United States or Indonesia in the fields of public policy, economic growth, political science, public administration, environment, health, and education.

“We believe in nurturing talent and building the technical skills of public servants because that will help develop a high-performing government that is responsive to the needs of the people and able to lead Indonesia. Education is one of the best investments we can make in the future of this country,” said U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake.

A key component of USAID programming in Indonesia has always been education.  Funding Indonesians to receive higher education is a powerful tool to help individuals, organizations, and institutions acquire the knowledge, skills, and capacity to support development.  Our goal is to help improve the performance and leadership skills of Indonesian professionals, which, in turn will help to promote development in Indonesia.

“The USAID PRESTASI scholarship program has helped the development of our staff. We find the alumni are able to contribute positively to our bureaucratic reform process in the Ministry of Finance,” said Dr. Irfa Ampri, secretary of the fiscal policy office.

In 2014, USAID PRESTASI scholarship recipients were selected from nearly 700 applicants from across Indonesia for their high academic performance, professional experience and a dedication to improving the lives of others. Since 1950, USAID and its predecessor agencies have provided scholarships to study in US universities for more than 3,500 Indonesians, and non-degree training to tens of thousands more.

Fourteen PRESTASI scholarship recipients will be in Jakarta from 6-9 May for a pre-departure briefing.

For interviews or more information, please contact USAID Communications Officer Janice Laurente at +62 (21) 3435-9000 or jlaurente@usaid.gov.