Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council fellowships and scholarships for overseas studies in 2004-05 are open for application from today. They include an award for disabled students.

The fund aims to encourage the best students to pursue further education in reputable institutions overseas.

Successful candidates are expected to have a strong sense of commitment to Hong Kong and be ready to contribute significantly to the community upon their return. They will be required to work in Hong Kong for at least three years upon graduation.

The fellowships are for studies leading to postgraduate degrees either by research or by coursework, while the scholarships are for studies leading to undergraduate degrees.

Applicants will be responsible for fulfilling all application procedures and admission requirements of the academic institutions of their choice.

The value of the fellowship is about $251,000 per year for up to three years for doctoral degrees or two years for master's degree. The value of the scholarship is about $232,000 per year for up to three years.

Application forms and information notes are available at:

* The Student Financial Assistance Agency,

11/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices,

303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon;

* The Careers & Guidance Services Section,

Education & Manpower Bureau,

Room 1815, 18/F Landmark North, 39 Lung Sum Avenue

Sheung Shui, New Territories; and,

* The Trust Funds Section,

Home Affairs Bureau,

Room 2202, 22/F Wu Chung House,

213 Queen's Road East,

Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

The above documents may also be downloaded here. For enquiries, please call 2150 6097 or 2150 6098.

The closing date for all applications is September 30. Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an initial interview in Hong Kong in December and January. Suitable applicants will be requested to attend the final interview in March.