Founded in 1997, the mission of the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society is to promote Azorean culture and whaling heritage by raising awareness and pride in our community. This rich maritime heritage has been shared on both sides of the Atlantic between the Azores and the Greater New Bedford area for more than 150 years.
Since 2003, the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society has awarded scholarships to deserving local high school senior and first-time college applicants who will be pursuing undergraduate education. Our scholarships began as two modest book awards of $50 each. Thanks to the generosity of our members and donors, they have grown steadily over time. AMHS is committed to helping our Portuguese-American community’s youth achieve higher education and to growing our scholarship offerings over time.
This year AMHS has designated eight scholarships to be awarded to high school seniors or first time freshman applicants who will be enrolled in an undergraduate college program during the next academic year.
Faial Scholarship
Pico Scholarship
Bela Vista Scholarship
($1,000 each)
Named after the three authentically handcrafted Azorean whaleboats that are regularly used by AMHS members.
Mary T. Vermette Scholarship ($1,500)
Named after the founder of the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society.
Maria Jose & Diamantino Fidalgo Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)
Preference will be given to a student who plans to pursue Maritime Studies.
Irene Medeiros Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)
Long time supporter of women rowing the AMHS boats
In Memory of Jose Pacheco Branco ($1,000)
In Memory of Clotilde da Rosa Branco ($1,000)
In order to be considered for a scholarship, applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria.
• Write a brief essay of 250-300 words illustrating one of the following: your commitment to the community, your appreciation for Azorean culture, or your relationship to the sea such as boating, marine studies, fishing, or other water activities.
• Enclose an official transcript of your grades and class standing.
• Enclose a copy of your SAT scores if you were required to take them.
• Enclose one letter of recommendation from a teacher or other unrelated adult.
• Submit the application along with all required documents postmarked by April 1, 2024, to: Azorean Maritime Heritage Society Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 40942, New Bedford, MA 02744.
All applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2024.
Visit https://azoreanmaritimeheritagesociety.wildapricot.org to download the application.
You can help fund these scholarships for our promising local youth. Become a member, make a donation to the scholarship fund, or attend one of our annual fundraising events: the Scholarship Dinner in February and the Sails of Portugal wine tasting in June. Visit the website, email azorean whaleboats@gmail.com, or call 508-687-0906.
Azorean Maritime Heritage Society (AMHS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting Portuguese culture, shared maritime history, and unique boating opportunities for all ages. Our all-volunteer organization participates in many local cultural events, teaches rowing, sailing and maintenance of wooden Azorean whaleboats, hosts a popular annual wine and food tasting, and provides scholarships for college-bound youth. We co-host the only International Azorean Whaleboat Regatta, held every two years, which alternates between the Azores and New Bedford.
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