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Dart Scholars are an impressive group – 37 young Caymanians who excel in the classroom and workplace, they are Cayman’s next generation of leaders and innovators. The opportunity to join this group of high performers is now open with the launch of the 2023 Dart Scholar application process for high school and university scholarships.

Every year, Dart awards two high school scholarships to students entering Year 10/Grade 9 in September, and one university scholarship for undergraduate studies. Scholarships are merit-based, awarded for academic excellence, leadership potential and contributions to the community. Students can attend the school of their choice and there are no conditions on where they can work after finishing their education.

“We see our scholarship programme as an investment in Cayman’s future,” said Mark VanDevelde, Dart CEO. “We are always delighted when scholars bring their skills and knowledge back home, but we also recognise the benefits of gaining experience overseas, especially during the early stage of their careers.  As the majority of our scholars continue their studies at the post-graduate level, we are excited and proud beginning to see our earliest recipients entering the workforce.”

Since launching in 2012, Dart has awarded 22 high school and 29 university scholarships. Dart’s high school scholarship is one of only three available to students in the Cayman Islands. Dart Scholar alumni currently in Cayman are working in a range of industries including Finance, Human Resources, Biomedical Engineering and Law.

Dart scholarships offer financial support of up to US$40,000 per year, but the benefits go beyond funding. Dart Scholars gain access to mentoring by Dart leaders and summer internships with teams across the organisation, from engineering and architecture to investment analysis, finance and marketing. Scholars get involved with meaningful projects and tasks that make a valid contribution to business objectives.

Drew Milgate, who received the Dart high school scholarship in 2013 and studied engineering at the University of Cambridge, interned with four different departments over the course of his education.

“The internship that had the most impact on me was my time with Dart Labs,” he said. “It was my first internship where I felt true autonomy in my role and I started to grasp the ins-and-outs of work life. Much of my work was research-based, focusing on shared mobility and smart cities. The work was more involved than compiling information – I was also able to think critically about how to apply my work and I was responsible for communicating these ideas to the team. I can’t thank Paul and Jennifer enough for their mentorship while I was on their team.”

Dart High School scholarships

Dart’s high school scholarship covers the last four years of secondary school. The scholarship is focused on STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – with applicants required to take a test in maths and science as part of the application process. Recipients have the choice to continue in their current school or transfer to a different school in the Cayman Islands. In addition to financial support and work experience opportunities, high school scholars are invited on an annual summer enrichment trip which will include a two-week academic programme at Oxford University this year.

William A. Dart Memorial University Scholarship

In recognition of the Dart family’s long-standing support of education, the university scholarship is named after Ken Dart’s father, William. The scholarship offers financial support for up to four years at an accredited overseas institution. Current Dart Scholars attend top tier universities in the USA, Canada and United Kingdom including Columbia University, Imperial College London and UC Berkley.

Applying for a Dart scholarship

Applicants must be Caymanian, and there is a rigorous, blind selection process for both high school and university scholarships that includes an online application form, written tests and interviews with a panel of business leaders.

The deadline for application is 5 April 2023 for the high school scholarship and 5 May 2023 for the university scholarship. For more information and to submit an application, visit Dart.ky.