Anthony Lunch Memorial (AJL) Scholarship
In Honour of an Enduring Legacy
Anthony Lunch, first visited Nepal in 1990, April, and traveled to Helambu to meet his son who was volunteering at Yangrima School. Falling in love with the warm hospitality extended by the local villagers and realizing the needs of the local children for education, Anthony went to set up a charity to support the school for the following 10 years until its forceful closure under the distressing political environment in the year of 2001. Inspired by the impact of the work, he eventually closed down his business in order to focus on International Development. As a result, the Mondo Foundation was founded in 2004. The charity now supports grassroots projects on education and livelihood projects in Nepal, India, Tanzania, and a few others working directly with the local people.
As things in Nepal began to return to normality, Anthony returned to Nepal in 2009 to assess the situation and needs on the ground. Together with Jimmy Lama, a former student at Yangrima School, he saw the massive needs and envisioned a long-term project to continue his support for Nepalese children’s education. He was awestruck to encounter cases all across the Helambu region and beyond similar to what we had first experienced at Yangrima. The schools lacked basic resources, facing challenges due to insufficient or dilapidated buildings, etc, and lacking teachers or teachers training. In the center of his interest was to provide educational opportunities for local children to achieve as best as they could.
Anthony passionately worked to support thousands of children during his active years at Mondo Foundation between 2009 to 2017. He was a strong figure behind helping Jimmy and his colleagues to set up Helambu Education and Livelihood Partnership (HELP), a local NGO, now very actively involved in creating and providing educational opportunities for young students from remote communities in Nepal.
His sudden and unexpected death in October of 2022 has brought tremendous sadness to the life of his family and people around the world with whom he had worked with. During his Memorial Day held in Chichester in February of 2023, an idea to set up a scholarship in his memory was discussed and was supported by his family. The Anthony Lunch Memorial Scholarship stands as a lasting legacy, continuing his commitment to expanding educational opportunities.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship aims to support two students, preferably one boy and one girl from Nepal, once every year, who belong to marginalized and underserved communities and have financial difficulties. While the scholarship encourages applications from students in schools and communities where Mondo Foundation and HELP have worked, it is open to eligible students from across Nepal.
The scholarship will be awarded to students willing to achieve higher education at Postgraduate's Level and stay in the country for its development in a wide range of capacities. Each scholarship will carry a cash prize of NPR. 1,60,000, which will be disbursed over a duration of 2 years, that the students can use towards their academic studies to study in Nepal. The scholarship would be provided to students choosing to study subjects in all fields of the Postgraduate's Programme; however, preference will be given to those pursuing degrees in Education or Development Studies.
Eligibility Criteria
Nepali Citizenship: The applicant must be a Nepali citizen.
Clear Academic Purpose: Must have a defined plan for pursuing a Master’s degree from a recognized university in Nepal.
Academic Record: Must have a proven academic track record.
Admission Status:Must have secured a confirmed admission or received a conditional offer for the chosen Master's programme.
Financial Need:Must demonstrate genuine financial need and clearly articulate the reasons for applying for this scholarship.
Interview Availability: Must be available to attend an in-person interview if shortlisted.
Commitment to Nepal: Must express a strong commitment to remain in Nepal after graduation and show a clear plan to contribute to the cause of one's community.
Selection Process
Application
Each scholarship cycle, usually around April, an open call for applications is announced. Interested candidates are invited to complete the online application form and submit all required documents within the stated deadline. Information about the application opening is shared widely through social media, email communication, and printed brochures to ensure students across are informed and able to apply.
Initial Screening
After the application deadline, HELP’s internal team reviews all submissions using a standard rubric aligned with the selection criteria. Applications that meet the required benchmarks are then reviewed by HELP’s Executive Committee. Candidates who successfully pass this stage move forward to the next step of the process, a written assessment.
Written Assessment
Candidates who advance from the initial screening are invited to take part in a written assessment. This stage helps us understand each applicant’s motivation, personal values, and long-term goals. The assessment is designed to identify candidates who show clarity of purpose, commitment to their chosen field, and the potential to create meaningful impact. Applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard will not move forward. Performance in this round is considered alongside the interview when making final selection decisions.
Interview Round
Candidates who meet the required assessment standard are invited to the interview rounds, where a panel of interviewers evaluates each candidate’s suitability using a standard rubric.Based on performance in both the written assessment and interview, a shortlist of four to six prospective candidates is prepared. The shortlisted candidates then undergo a verification process, which includes contacting the referees they have provided.
Final Selection
After the interview rounds are completed and verification checks are concluded, profiles of the shortlisted candidates are prepared and shared with the Lunch Family, the Mondo Foundation, and HELP’s Executive Committee. Following their review of each profile, the final selection and announcement are made following their collective review.
Award Ceremony
The two selected candidates are invited to an award and orientation ceremony. During the ceremony, they sign the scholarship agreement, and the continuation of the scholarship is based on their academic performance in their chosen programme.
Selection Criteria
Commitment Towards their local community
Applicants show active involvement and initiatives supporting their local community efforts.
Proven Academic Track Record
Applicants provide transcripts and certificates to demonstrate consistent academic performance.
Clear future career goals
Candidates outline their career plans and motivations to show clarity and direction in goals.
Demonstration of leadership attributes
Applicants present examples of leadership, teamwork, and initiative in past experiences.
Overall financial circumstances
Candidates provide information on financial background to assess need and eligibility fairly.
Meet Our Scholars
Yogendra Anupam GC
Receiving this scholarship was not just financial assistance for me. It motivated me even more to enhance in my field and to give back by contributing to society. I now approach my academic work with a greater sense of purpose and commitment, aiming to make the most of this opportunity. This scholarship has inspired me to set higher goals for myself, not just academically, but also in terms of how I can contribute to society.
Lungro Rural Municipality-04, Ropla
Masters in Urban Studies
Kathmandu University School of Arts
Sharmila Tamang
“Being recognized as an Anthony Lunch Memorial (AJL) scholar reassured me that I am on the right path and that my dreams are valid. It has encouraged me to aim higher, stay committed, and believe in my ability to contribute to positive change. It has played a crucial role in both my academic and personal growth by significantly boosting my confidence and motivation.”
Kalitar, Tikabhairab, Godawari-6, Lalitpur
Kings College
Sushila Tolange
“My goal is to work as a policy analyst or agribusiness consultant, focusing on improving food security and market efficiency for small-scale farmers. The AJL Scholarship’s support has been a cornerstone of my academic journey, bringing me one step closer to my dream of contributing to a more prosperous and food-secure future for my community.”
Bhimeshwor Municipality-04, Dolakha
Master's in Agricultural Economics
Tribhuwan University
Upama Rai
“Receiving this scholarship has meant a source of inspiration to excel to my highest potential and enhance my skill as well. It has given me direction and focus to go further with my academic career. I aspire to work to promote STEAM Education as it helps children develop hard and soft skills needed in the real world.”
Suryabinayak - 2, Bhaktapur
Post-Grdauate Diploma in Education in Steam Leadership
Kathmandu University
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The scholarship supports two students from Nepal (preferably one boy and one girl) annually. Priorities are given to candidates who come from marginalised or underserved communities and face financial challenges.
It is intended for students pursuing a postgraduate’s degree in Nepal. While any field of study is eligible, preference is given to Education and Development Studies.
Each scholarship carries a total of NPR 160,000 over two years, which can be used to cover academic costs. The scholarship amount will be provided in two installments. Renewal for the second installment of the scholarship depends on the candidate maintaining a satisfactory academic record.
No. The scholarship is only for Postgraduate programmes within Nepal.
Applications typically open in early April each scholarship cycle.
Interested candidates can apply by filling out the online application form, which will be available on HELP’s website and official social media pages. Only Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the next stage, including a written assessment followed by an interview.
Email: info@help.org.np | scholarship@help.org.np Phone: 01-4917209
The scholarship supports two students from Nepal (preferably one boy and one girl) annually. Priorities are given to candidates who come from marginalised or underserved communities and face financial challenges.
It is intended for students pursuing a postgraduate’s degree in Nepal. While any field of study is eligible, preference is given to Education and Development Studies.
Each scholarship carries a total of NPR 160,000 over two years, which can be used to cover academic costs. The scholarship amount will be provided in two installments. Renewal for the second installment of the scholarship depends on the candidate maintaining a satisfactory academic record.
No. The scholarship is only for Postgraduate programmes within Nepal.
Applications typically open in early April each scholarship cycle.
Interested candidates can apply by filling out the online application form, which will be available on HELP’s website and official social media pages. Only Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the next stage, including a written assessment followed by an interview.
Yes, candidates seeking a second postgraduate degree are eligible to apply, but they must clearly demonstrate a strong and compelling reason for pursuing it.
No, applicants who have already completed the 1st year of their Post-Graduate degree are not eligible. The scholarship is only open to those planning to enroll or who are in their first semester at most.
No, the scholarship cannot be deferred. It is only contingent if the candidate secures a place in their chosen course and institution within the same scholarship cycle.
No. Applicants decide their course and institution. The selection committee doesn’t make any recommendation.
Recipients are at the least expected to act as ambassadors for the Anthony Lunch Memorial Scholarship and may represent or present on its behalf within the Mondo community.