The Royce and Jean Abbey Endowed Fund was initially established with the financial support of the District Governors of 1988/89, the year Royce Abbey was President of Rotary International. It has since been supplemented by donations from Rotarians and by the Royce Abbey Award programme.

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The earnings of the Fund are used for humanitarian programmes and in particular to fund scholarships for individuals from developing nations to undertake education and training in Australia in one or more of Rotary’s Seven Causes:

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1. Promoting peace

2. Fighting disease

3. Providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene

4. Saving mothers and children

5. Supporting education

6. Growing local economies

7. Protecting the environment

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The scholarship is intended to equip the successful candidates with knowledge and experience to benefit their communities.

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The scholarship covers travel, accommodation, tuition and practical training with funding of up to USD$10,000 for each successful candidate.