CPISP Preparation Guide #1: What is CPISP

Greetings, fellow learners and dreamers!

You've embarked on a journey filled with promise and potential—the path to securing the Bahraini Crown Prince International Scholarship Program (CPISP). If you're reading this, you're already on the right track, as you're investing your time and effort in preparing for a life-changing opportunity. Before we dive into the details of this scholarship application process, let's start by shedding some light on what CPISP is all about.

The Bahraini Crown Prince International Scholarship Program is more than just a prestigious educational endeavour; it's a ticket to a world of possibilities. This scholarship is designed to empower bright, driven individuals like you with the tools and resources needed to attain academic excellence, foster leadership skills, and make a meaningful impact on the global stage. While I'm not an official expert or a past recipient, I've had my experience with the candidacy program, and I'm here to be your guide and provide insights to help you navigate this scholarship's unique terrain.

So, let's embark on this journey together, demystifying CPISP and learning how to prepare for it with the utmost dedication, maximizing your chances of becoming one of the fortunate scholars. It's a path filled with dedication, growth, and self-discovery, but it's your opportunity to transform your dreams into reality. Ready? Let's begin!

 

1. Overview of CPISP

1.1. Brief history and goals of the Crown Prince International Scholarship Program (CPISP)

The Crown Prince International Scholarship Program (CPISP) was established in 1999 by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain. The program was founded with the aim of providing outstanding Bahraini students with the opportunity to pursue fully-funded undergraduate degrees at top universities around the world.

Since its inception, the CPISP has awarded scholarships to over 200 Bahraini students. These students have gone on to attend some of the most prestigious universities in the world, including Harvard University, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge.

The CPISP is not just about providing financial assistance to students. The program is designed to support future leaders who will contribute to the development of Bahrain.

The goals of the CPISP are to:

  • Provide Bahraini students with access to world-class education
  • Promote international understanding and cooperation
  • Enhance the reputation of Bahrain as a centre of learning and excellence

The CPISP is a prestigious and highly competitive scholarship program. However, with hard work and dedication, any Bahraini student can achieve their dream of studying at a top university around the world.

1.2. Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to be a candidate for the Crown Prince International Scholarship Program (CPISP), you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Bahraini citizen.
  • Be enrolled in the 11th grade or secondary school equivalent (year 12 for the British Curriculum).
  • Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 97% for grades 10 and 11 (first semester).

These are the eligibility criteria to apply for the candidacy program to compete for the scholarship, interested students should submit their application during the Program’s annual Application Submission Period in March. 

1.3. Scholarship benefits

The Crown Prince International Scholarship Program (CPISP) is a unique opportunity that offers participants a high degree of flexibility and choice. CPISP recipients have the freedom to:

  • Select any major that is offered by your chosen university. This allows students to pursue their academic interests and passions, regardless of whether they align with specific fields of study that are typically prioritized by other scholarship programs.
  • Choose any university in the world that is an English-speaking country. This gives students the chance to attend a university that is a good fit for their academic and personal needs, and that offers the specific programs and courses they are interested in.
  • Continue their studies beyond a Bachelor's degree. CPISP recipients are not limited to pursuing only a Bachelor's degree. The scholarship can also be used to cover the cost of post-graduate and doctoral degrees. This allows students to achieve their full academic potential and pursue advanced degrees in their chosen fields.

The CPISP's commitment to providing students with choice and flexibility is one of the things that makes it such a unique and valuable scholarship program. By giving students the freedom to choose their own path, the CPISP helps them to achieve their individual goals and aspirations.

In addition to the above, the CPISP also offers a number of other benefits that make it a truly exceptional scholarship program. These benefits include:

  • Full financial support: The CPISP covers the full cost of tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, living allowance, and travel expenses. This allows students to focus on their studies without having to worry about financial concerns.
  • Prestigious recognition: The CPISP is one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in Bahrain. Being selected as a CPISP recipient is a mark of distinction that can open doors to future opportunities.
  • Personal meetings with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince: HRH the Crown Prince meets with all scholars sponsored by the CPISP during their holiday breaks in Bahrain to personally follow up on their progress. These meetings provide scholars with the opportunity to discuss their academic and personal experiences.
  • Freedom to pursue career goals: Scholars are not required to return to Bahrain after graduation or work for a particular organization. This gives scholars the freedom to pursue their career goals wherever in the world they choose.
  • Internship and career development support: The CPISP provides its scholars with internships and career development guidance. This support helps scholars to gain valuable work experience and to develop the skills they need to succeed in their chosen field.
  • Job placement assistance: The CPISP facilitates job placement for its scholars after graduation. This assistance helps scholars to find employment that is aligned with their skills and interests.

Originally, Ten fully funded scholarships were awarded every year, but as of May 2023, CPISP program declared that it will incorporate a maximum of ten more scholarship recipients annually as per the command of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The CPISP is a comprehensive scholarship program that is designed to support students throughout their academic and professional journeys. The program's commitment to providing students with choice, flexibility, and support makes it a truly unique and valuable opportunity for Bahraini students who are looking to achieve their full potential.

Created at: Oct. 21, 2023, 5:24 a.m.