Prospect Burma Cio

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £528,124 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: Myanmar, Thai-Myanmar border regions, India (Mizoram state)
• Funding Type: Individual scholarships AND organizational grants
• Application Process: Public process for individual scholarships; no public process for organizational grants

Contact Details

Website: https://www.prospectburma.org/

Charity Number: 1167686

Scholarship Portal: https://prospectburma.org/students/

Overview

Founded in 1989, Prospect Burma CIO is a UK-registered charity (1167686) working to transform Myanmar through education. With an annual expenditure of £528,124 (2024) and income of £471,715, the organization operates through a small UK-based team and local staff in Southeast Asia. Their vision is “Myanmar transformed through the expertise of its people.” While primarily known for providing higher education scholarships to individuals from Myanmar to study abroad, Prospect Burma also makes grants to educational organizations working in Myanmar and border regions. They supported 126 young people across five post-high school projects in 2022-23, providing 305 classes and workshops. The charity works with marginalized communities in conflict zones, focusing on critical thinking, English language skills, digital literacy, and inter-ethnic understanding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Scholarships

• Higher education scholarships for Myanmar nationals to study abroad (bachelor's degree or higher)
• Coverage includes: full or partial tuition fees, living expenses, return travel costs, academic materials, and health insurance
• Application deadline: January 31 annually
• Application method: Online portal (https://prospectburma.my.salesforce-sites.com/OnlineApplication)

Organizational Grants

• Grants to educational institutions and organizations working with Myanmar communities
• Post-high school education projects delivered through local partners
• Teacher training programs
• Support for organizations working with ex-political prisoners and their families
• No public application process - grants awarded through trustee discretion

Priority Areas

• Access to Grade 11-12 education for marginalized groups in conflict zones
• Higher education abroad for Myanmar nationals
• Critical thinking and English language skills development
• Digital literacy training
• Inter-ethnic understanding
• Career planning and social sciences education
• Support for children of ex-political prisoners
• Migrant and refugee education

Known Recipients

With US State Department Grant funding, Prospect Burma has supported:

• Sky Age Education Centre: Residential intensive English and Computing courses for disadvantaged young people
• Thinking Classroom Foundation: Teacher training for Myanmar teachers (directed by Prospect Burma alumnus Dr Thein Lwin, based in Bago)
• Migrant Learning Centre: Teacher training for Myanmar refugees in Chiang Mai, Thailand (serves over 1,000 Myanmar migrant workers annually with free English, Thai, computer studies and vocational learning)

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Governance and Leadership

Governed by a board of 10 trustees with oversight of a small executive team based in the UK and Southeast Asia. The charity is led by an Executive Director. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The organization has 5 volunteers supporting its work. An American Friends of Prospect Burma operates as a supporting 501(c)(3) organization in the United States.

How to Apply to Prospect Burma Cio

How to Apply - Individual Scholarships

Prospect Burma operates a public application process for individual scholarship applicants from Myanmar:

• Application Portal: https://prospectburma.org/students/ (text-only website for accessibility in rural areas with low bandwidth)
• Deadline: January 31 annually
• Eligibility: Current or former Myanmar nationals (living in Myanmar or abroad) applying to or accepted at a university/college outside Myanmar for bachelor's degree or higher
• Required Documentation: Academic records, English qualifications, references, passport details, details of other funding awards

How to Apply - Organizational Grants

Prospect Burma does not have a public application process for organizational grants. Grants to educational institutions and partner organizations appear to be awarded through trustee discretion based on pre-existing relationships and strategic priorities. The charity works with “trusted local partners” to deliver projects in hard-to-reach communities.

Organizations interested in partnership may be identified through:

• Alumni network connections (e.g., Thinking Classroom Foundation director Dr Thein Lwin is a Prospect Burma alumnus)
• US State Department Grant programs focused on Myanmar
• Relationships developed through work with ex-political prisoners and marginalized communities
• Organizations operating in Myanmar border regions and conflict zones

Decision Timeline - Individual Scholarships

Applications close January 31 with decisions communicated in subsequent months. Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors - Individual Scholarships

Prospect Burma seeks individuals who will become “skilled, compassionate community leaders” in fields like medicine, technology, and law. The organization values:

• Commitment to Myanmar's future: Applicants should demonstrate intention to use their education to benefit Myanmar and their communities
• Marginalized backgrounds: Strong focus on supporting those from disadvantaged or conflict-affected communities
• Academic potential: Must have or be pursuing acceptance to universities outside Myanmar
• Complete applications: All required paperwork must be submitted including academic records, English qualifications, references, and passport details

The charity has supported students across multiple cohorts since 1989, building an alumni network that continues to contribute to Myanmar's development.

Application Success Factors - Organizational Grants

For organizations seeking funding (noting there is no public application process):

• Myanmar focus: Organizations must work directly with Myanmar communities, whether in-country or in border regions
• Educational mission: Clear focus on education, training, or skills development
• Work with marginalized groups: Priority for organizations serving ex-political prisoners, refugees, migrants, or conflict-affected populations
• Local presence and trust: Organizations with established presence in hard-to-reach communities
• Alignment with Prospect Burma values: Inclusive approach, integrity, and commitment to long-term support
• Alumni connections: Organizations led by or connected to Prospect Burma alumni may have enhanced relationships

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Dual funding model: Prospect Burma funds both individuals (public process) and organizations (invitation/discretion only) - understand which category applies to you
• No organizational application process: Organizations cannot apply through a public process; partnerships develop through relationships, alumni networks, and strategic alignment
• Myanmar focus is absolute: All funding supports Myanmar nationals or Myanmar-focused education initiatives
• Education is the core mission: Whether individual scholarships or organizational grants, education and skills development are the exclusive focus areas
• Alumni network matters: Organizations led by Prospect Burma alumni (like Thinking Classroom Foundation) have received funding
• US State Department connection: Some organizational grants have been facilitated through US State Department Grant programs
• Long-term commitment: Founded in 1989, the charity values sustained relationships and long-term impact over quick wins
• Border regions included: Organizations working with Myanmar communities in Thailand and India (Mizoram) are within scope

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Myanmar Trust Uk
• St Giles-in-the-fields And William Shelton Educational Charity
• Lifelines International Fund For Education
• Children On The Edge
• Sir William Boreman's Foundation
• The Aldgate And Allhallows Foundation
• Fund For Global Human Rights Uk
• St Marylebone Educational Foundation
• The Lee Education Charity Of William Hatcliffe
• Sir Walter St. John's Educational Charity

References

• Charity Commission Register: Prospect Burma CIO (1167686) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1167686&subid=0
• Prospect Burma official website - https://www.prospectburma.org/about-us
• Prospect Burma Post-High School Programme - http://www.prospectburma.org/post-high-school-programme
• Prospect Burma Higher Education Scholarships - https://www.prospectburma.org/higher-education-scholarships
• Prospect Burma Scholarship Application Portal - https://prospectburma.my.salesforce-sites.com/OnlineApplication
• Help Without Frontiers: “Enhancing quality in migrant education” - https://helpwithoutfrontiers.org/our-stories/enhancing-quality-in-migrant-education
• Thinking Classroom Foundation - http://www.thinkingclassroom.org/