THE NCB Foundation will again provide $100 million in scholarships and grants to students pursuing digital subjects. Digital subjects at the tertiary level include computer science, data/actuarial science, animation and similar areas of study. Grants will also be awarded through its Level Up Programme to enable unemployed persons to access short digital courses designed to help them to begin earning again. Applications for tertiary level scholarships and grants are now open and will close on July 17. Level Up Programme applications will open on June 24.

Since its inception, the NCB Foundation has been primarily focused on education, guided by Chairman Michael Lee-Chin’s vision to give every child in Jamaica the opportunity to access a tertiary level education. To this end, the NCB Foundation has contributed over $1.5 billion to education initiatives, which has benefited over 250,000 Jamaicans, establishing itself as Jamaica’s leading foundation in the space of education.

However, with the shortage of digital and tech capabilities faced by Jamaica, the NCB Foundation has set a bold aspiration to play a pivotal role in accelerating the digital transformation of Jamaica by expanding the country’s pool of digital producers.

“We are seeking to empower Jamaicans to create digital solutions such as software, analytic models, animated content — that solve local and global problems and unlock growth opportunities to expand our economy. In addition to developing globally relevant digital skills, we bolster our programmes with other capacity building interventions to ensure that all our beneficiaries become financially literate and are able to thrive in the new normal,” said CEO of the NCB Foundation Nadeen Matthews Blair.

“Jamaica has no shortage of the raw talent and ingenuity to make this transition with the right support and the foundation is committed to providing this support,” continued Matthews Blair.

The foundation’s scholarships and grants are available islandwide at accredited institutions including Caribbean Maritime University, Edna Manley, Excelsior, Portmore, Moneague & Montego Bay Community Colleges, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, University of West Indies, University of Technology, Jamaica, Mico University, North Caribbean University, Vector Technology Institute, Vocational Training Development Institute, and Bethlehem Moravian College.

Primary and secondary need based book vouchers are also available and will be accepted between June 5 and June 15.

To apply for the NCB Foundation’s scholarships and grants visit www.ncbscholarships.com.