1. How can I apply for an ITI Scholarship?

To apply for an ITI Scholarship, please follow the link to the Scholarship application portal (available on the ITI website from May 31, midnight UTC until June 30, midnight UTC), log in, and fill in the required information. Your application can be completed over the course of the month of June and does not need to be completed in one sitting, provided it is not submitted. Once submitted, an application cannot be altered.

2. What is the Scholarship application portal?

The Scholarship application portal is the online platform where applicants can submit their applications for the ITI Scholarship Program. Applicants are guided through the application process step by step, ensuring all required materials are completed and submitted correctly.

3. Do I have to complete and submit my application in one session?

No, you do not have to complete and submit the online application form in one session. You can save your progress and return to complete and submit the application at a later time. However, be mindful of the deadline and ensure you submit your application before the closing date and time of the application portal. Late applications and/or applications sent by email or regular post will not be accepted. The Scholarship application portal is available on the ITI website from May 31, midnight UTC until June 30, midnight UTC.

4. Who can I turn to if I have any questions on the application process?

If you have any questions, please contact ITI Headquarters via email at [email protected]

5. Do I need to apply via the ITI Scholarship online application portal?

Yes, only applications submitted via the online application portal and by the application deadline (i.e., the closing date and time of the application portal) will be accepted. Applications sent by email or regular post will not be accepted.

6. I am only interested in one Scholarship Center, do I still have to select three preferred Centers?

Yes, you do. While you may have a preference for one Scholarship Center, it’s essential to select three different preferred ITI Scholarship Centers as allocation to your first choice cannot be guaranteed. With several hundred applicants and only limited places, the competition for each ITI Scholarship Center place is high.

7. Will I definitely be allocated to one of the three ITI Scholarship Centers that I enter in my Scholarship application?

The ITI Leadership Development Committee tries to allocate the applicant to one of the three preferred ITI Scholarship Centers listed by the applicant, but it is not always possible. The applicant may be allocated to another ITI Scholarship Center if someone else has already been allocated to the Centers of choice. With several hundred applicants and only limited places, the competition for each ITI Scholarship Center place is high, and candidates selected for an ITI Scholarship are expected to be willing to accept a place at a Scholarship Center that is not one of their three preferred Centers.

8. What should I consider when selecting my three preferred ITI Scholarship Centers?

We strongly recommend carefully reviewing the Scholarship Center descriptions on the ITI website to identify the centers that align best with your professional aspirations.

9. What are the timelines associated with the application and selection process?

Please refer to this illustration for the timelines associated with the application and selection process.

10. Is a language certificate necessary for non-native speakers when applying for a specific ITI Scholarship Center?

Most ITI Scholarship Centers require non-native English speakers to provide a language proficiency certificate (such as TOEFL or IELTS) before the start of the Scholarship year. Additionally, familiarity with the local language is advantageous and/or required for certain interactions within the center. Specific language requirements for each ITI Scholarship Center are outlined in their respective descriptions on the ITI website.

11. Is it necessary to be an ITI Member to apply for an ITI Scholarship?

Yes, an ITI membership is required for your application and is non-refundable. ITI membership opens doors to a wide range of invaluable benefits designed to support your professional and academic growth. Utilize your membership to enhance your journey as a prospective candidate as well as your chances of success, not only for your Scholarship application, but also your professional growth and aspirations. Engage with the ITI Academy’s extensive learning materials, participate in ITI Study Clubs, attend ITI Education Weeks and Section events, develop and strengthen your ties to the ITI community.

12. Does an age limit apply for ITI Scholarship applicants?

No. As of the 2025 application cycle, the ITI Scholarship Program no longer applies an age limit for applicants. All other eligibility criteria listed on the ITI website remain in place and must be met at the time of application.

13. Can I apply for an ITI Scholarship while I am still a postgraduate?

Yes, you can apply for an ITI Scholarship while you are still in postgraduate training. However, your postgraduate training must be completed by the start date of your Scholarship year.

14. I am working on my PhD. Can I do the ITI Scholarship program simultaneously?

No, this is not an option as ITI Scholars are expected to dedicate all their time to the ITI Scholarship. Therefore, PhDs must be finalized before the start of the ITI Scholarship. The same applies to other conflicting responsibilities such as functions in your host clinic, Scholarships from other organizations, family commitments in your home country, etc.

15. How much time is an ITI Scholar expected to spend at the Scholarship Center?

ITI Scholars are expected to spend the full year on-site at the designated Scholarship Center, following the same schedule as the university staff. This includes standard vacation time and public holidays. Regular attendance and active participation in all scheduled activities is mandatory. Spending additional time outside the designated center, beyond scheduled vacations and holidays, is not allowed. This ensures Scholars benefit fully from the program and meet all educational and professional commitments.

16. Can I apply if I am not fluent in English?

Yes. Proficiency in English is important for communicating with ITI Headquarters, Scholarship applications, and within the greater ITI community; however, fluency is not mandatory. Language prerequisites and certification differ among ITI Scholarship Centers, as some Centers may not use English as their main language. Please refer to the specific language requirements on the ITI website.

17. Should I send my documentation to ITI Headquarters?

No, do not send any application-related documents to ITI Headquarters. Documents sent by email or regular post will not be accepted. All required information and documents must be submitted through the online application portal. This ensures that the necessary details are correctly processed and reviewed.

18. If I sign up for ITI membership before I apply and don’t get an ITI Scholarship, will my ITI membership fee be refunded?

No, ITI membership is non-refundable.

19. Are there any restrictions on nationality for applying to the ITI Scholarship Program?

No, there are no restrictions on nationality for applying to the ITI Scholarship Program. The program is open to applicants of all nationalities.

20. Can I apply for a Scholarship Center in my current/home country?

Please note that as an international organization, Scholars will not be allocated to a center in their current/home country. The aim of the ITI Scholarship program is to provide ITI Scholars with an international experience, fostering international exchange along with professional networking as well as cross-cultural learning.

21. Will I definitely be allocated to one of the three ITI Scholarship Centers that I enter in my Scholarship application?

While efforts are made to allocate applicants to one of their preferred ITI Scholarship Centers as indicated in the application, placement is not guaranteed. With several hundred applicants and only limited places, the competition for each ITI Scholarship Center place is high.

22. When will I be notified about the status of my application?

You can expect to receive notifications about the status of your application according to the following timeline: Usually, the first selected applicants will be informed by the end of January of the year following the application, along with the first round of unsuccessful applicants. The remaining applicants will receive notifications by the end of March. If you have not heard anything by then, this means you are on a contact list for last-minute cancellations. Please note that with hundreds of applications received each year, updates are not provided by ITI Headquarters. All applicants will be notified once their application status has been finalized. This may take until the end of March of the year following the application.

23. In which format should I provide the documents I need to upload as part of my online application?

Documents must be provided in commonly used formats, such as PDF documents, Excel for financial aid, and JPEG for images. Specific format requirements may vary depending on the function accessed via the application portal, so be sure to check the guidelines provided in the portal.

24. To whom should my recommendation letters be addressed?

Recommendation letters should be addressed to the ITI Leadership Development Committee at ITI Headquarters in Basel and must be uploaded as a PDF during the online application process when requested. Do not send any separate attachments via email or conventional mail, as these will not be accepted. Additionally, ensure that recommendation letters are hand-signed and dated, and that they are dated from the year of application.

25. How recent should my recommendation letters be?

The recommendation letters must be dated from the year of application.

26. Which requirements must my recommendation letters fulfill?

The recommendation letters must be hand-signed and dated. Please note that the ITI Leadership Development Committee only accepts recommendation letters that have been printed and signed by the supporter before being scanned as PDFs. Electronic signatures are not accepted. Additionally, recommendation letters must be current, dated from the year of application.

27. Must all the documents I need to upload as part of my online application be in English?

Yes, all attachments must be in English.

28. What is a letter of recommendation?

A letter of recommendation is a letter written and signed by an academic or professional who is familiar with your work and character. This letter should explain why the sender believes you should be awarded an ITI Scholarship and demonstrate their familiarity with your accomplishments, personality, and current aspirations. Ideally, the recommendation letter should be written by a professor, ITI Fellow, or similar authority figure. Please note that the ITI Leadership Development Committee only accepts recommendation letters that have been printed and signed by the supporter before being scanned as PDFs. Electronic signatures are not accepted. Additionally, recommendation letters must be current, dated from the year of application.

29. Do I need to provide a CV?

No, a CV is not required when applying for the ITI Scholarship Program. All the necessary information will be collected during the online application process via the application tool.

30. What documents do I need to submit with my application?

The documents below need to be uploaded during the online application process. These documents, except for the picture, must be signed by hand, saved as PDFs, and uploaded to the application profile:

• Two signed letters of recommendation: The recommendations must be recent (year of application) and ideally made by a professor, ITI Fellow, or similar. Please note that only recommendation letters signed by hand will be accepted.
• A picture (passport format – JPG, minimum size 140 x 185 pixels).
• Language certificate (not mandatory in all cases, please see the Scholarship Center descriptions on the ITI website for more information).

31. How are ITI Scholarship recipients selected?

The selection process for ITI Scholarship recipients is rigorous and thorough. Once the application portal has closed, all submitted applications undergo screening at ITI Headquarters. The ITI Leadership Development Committee then completes a detailed evaluation of each application that meets the application requirements. Applications are assessed based on various criteria, including academic achievements, clinical experience, commitment to implant dentistry, leadership potential, and alignment with the goals of the ITI Scholarship Program. Subsequently, the Committee members convene to discuss the applications and select the potential ITI Scholars for the upcoming Scholarship year. The selection process aims to identify individuals who demonstrate exceptional promise.

32. What is the selection process for ITI Scholarships?

Once the application portal has closed on the last day of June, all submitted applications undergo screening at ITI Headquarters. The ITI Leadership Development Committee completes a detailed evaluation of each application that meets the application requirements and rates each of the applications over the following months. Subsequently, the Committee members convene to discuss the applications and select the potential ITI Scholars for the upcoming year.

33. When will I hear back from ITI Headquarters about my application?

Applicants will hear back from ITI Headquarters by the end of March of the year following their application at the latest.

34. Can I contact ITI Headquarters to enquire about the status of my application?

Every applicant will be contacted by ITI Headquarters. This may take until the end of March of the year following the application. Due to the high number of applications received each year and the long timelines associated with the evaluation process of the applications, applicants are asked not to enquire about the status of their application.

35. Can I find out why I was not accepted for an ITI Scholarship?

With the high volume of applications received annually, the ITI Leadership Development Committee does not provide specific reasons for its decisions as a matter of policy.

36. If I am offered a place at an ITI Scholarship Center I do not want to go to and turn the offer down, will I be allocated to one of my preferred Scholarship Centers?

No. With several hundred applicants and only limited places, the competition for each ITI Scholarship Center place is high. Therefore, candidates selected for an ITI Scholarship are expected to be willing to accept a place at a Scholarship Center that is not one of their three preferred Centers.

37. When does the ITI Scholarship year start?

The ITI Scholarship year commences September 1 of the year following the application and concludes August 31 of the subsequent year. For instance, if you apply for the Scholarship in June 2025, your Scholarship year will begin September 1, 2026, and conclude August 31, 2027. There are a couple of exceptions to this schedule for specific Scholarship Centers, which are detailed in the respective Scholarship Center descriptions on the ITI website.

38. Do I have to start my Scholarship year on September 1?

Yes, each ITI Scholar is expected to start the Scholarship year on September 1 or on the first day of the month on which the Scholarship year starts for those Scholarship Centers with a different start date. The start dates specified in the descriptions of the Scholarship Centers must be adhered to within a two-week timeframe.

39. Who takes care of my travel arrangements to and from my Scholarship Center country?

Scholars are responsible for making their own their travel arrangements.

40. Who covers travel costs to and from the ITI Scholarship Center country?

ITI Scholars are responsible for organizing and paying their travel costs. The ITI Scholarship stipend is transferred only after the ITI Scholar has officially started the ITI Scholarship year – upon confirmation of arrival by the Scholarship Center Chair. Therefore, Scholars need to be prepared to finance the flight to their Scholarship country out of their own pocket.

41. Can my partner/family accompany me on my Scholarship year?

The decision to have your partner or family accompany you on your Scholarship year is entirely up to you. However, it’s important to note that the stipend provided is intended solely for the living costs of the Scholar and does not extend to accompanying family members. The ITI does not provide additional contributions beyond the stipend itself. The ITI Scholar is responsible for organizing any additional requirements for family members, such as visas, health insurance, and work/practice permits, if applicable.

42. Is there help/support available when it comes to finding accommodation for the Scholarship year?

ITI Scholars will be put in contact with previous Scholars at their Center for tips and recommendations as to how to find accommodation. Scholars are also encouraged to to seek guidance from the administrative team/faculty at the Scholarship Center as to finding accommodation. Some Centers might offer on-campus accommodation for Scholars.

43. Do I need insurance cover during the Scholarship year?

Yes. Each ITI Scholar is responsible for organizing his or her own health insurance for the ITI Scholarship year. Additionally, professional liability insurance is crucial and must be covered by the Scholar in order to participate in the program. If no reciprocal arrangement is available between the home country and the ITI Scholarship Center country, the ITI Scholar should take out additional health cover to ensure comprehensive protection during the Scholarship year. Scholars are advised to discuss all matters related to insurance matters with their Scholarship Center Chair right after confirmation of their ITI Scholarship to make sure insurance cover is in place in time for the start of the Scholarship year.

44. Will I be able to treat patients during my Scholarship year?

Treating patients during the Scholarship year is not guaranteed for all Scholars. Opportunities for clinical practice depend on various factors, including local regulations, the Scholar’s skill level, and the specific policies of the ITI Scholarship Center. Please refer to the descriptions of the ITI Scholarship Centers on the ITI website for in-depth information on the activities during the Scholarship year.

45. What kind of financial support does an ITI Scholar receive?

Please refer to the information provided on the Scholarship program webpage for the stipend amounts that apply to the different ITI Scholarship Centers. The stipends reflect the cost of living in the city of the Scholarship Center.

46. Does the financial support cover the cost of living and accommodation in full?

No, this is not the case. It contributes toward the cost of living and accommodation during the ITI Scholarship year. We advise applicants to consider their preferred centers/locations carefully, as certain destinations are very expensive. It is essential to understand that the stipend will not cover all the living costs in those locations. We encourage thorough consideration to ensure a comfortable and sustainable experience during the program.

47. Is additional financial aid available for ITI Scholars who find themselves in hardship?

Each year, the ITI offers additional financial aid to a maximum of 5 ITI Scholars who find themselves in hardship and do not have sufficient means to cover their living expenses. To be considered for this support, candidates applying for additional financial aid are requested to provide detailed information about their financial situation, including their own and their parents’ circumstances.

48. When is the financial support paid?

The stipend is paid in two installments. The first installment is provided at the beginning of the Scholarship year, once the ITI Scholarship Center Chair confirms the Scholar’s arrival at the Center. The second installment is given after six months, following the provision of the the Scholar’s intermediate report to ITI Headquarters. The stipend is meant to support the Scholar for expenses such as accommodation and other cost of living and will be transferred to an account held by the ITI Scholar by ITI Headquarters.

49. How much will I receive for my ITI Scholarship stipend?

For the Scholarship stipends paid, please refer to the information provided on the detailed Scholarship Center information table.

50. In which currencies are the stipends paid?

For detailed information on the currencies, please refer to the information provided on the Scholarship Center information table.

51. Do I have to open a bank account in the country of my Scholarship Center to receive the Scholarship stipend?

That is left up to the Scholar. The stipend can also be deposited in an account belonging to the Scholar in his or her country of residence. However, we recommend opening an account in the host country in order to avoid bank charges and currency exchange fluctuations.

52. Do I have to pay tax on my Scholarship stipend?

Scholars should be mindful of potential tax obligations and seek guidance from both local authorities and their Scholarship Center Chair.

53. What is required of the ITI Scholars after the Scholarship year?

The ITI encourages ITI Scholars to continue their engagement with the ITI community beyond their Scholarship year. We anticipate that Scholars will find fulfilling paths within the ITI community, allowing them to further their professional and personal development and contribute to the collective knowledge and exertise of our global network. Furthermore, upon their return to their home Section after the Scholarship year ITI Scholars should contact their Section Leadership Team to get involved in the Section’s activities.