Writing an Academic CV for a Scholarship: Structure and Advice
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A scholarship application CV has a particular reader: an academic committee looking for evidence of potential. It must be clear, factual and selective. One to two pages are usually enough, except for a doctorate with publications.
Recommended structure
- Contact details: name, professional e-mail, city, phone, academic profiles (LinkedIn, ORCID if relevant).
- Education: degrees in reverse chronological order with institution, dates, honours and ranking when favourable.
- Academic and professional experience: internships, projects, research, teaching, stating the results.
- Publications, talks, awards: only what can be verified.
- Skills and languages: precise levels with tests (IELTS 7.0, DELF B2) rather than "fluent".
- Commitments: associations, volunteering, responsibilities, which illustrate leadership and impact.
Think in results, not tasks
Instead of "Participation in a research project", write "Designed and tested a water consumption forecasting model on 5 years of data, with an average error of 6%". Figures, the tools used and personal responsibility lend credibility. Avoid empty superlatives ("passionate", "dynamic").
Adapt the CV to the scholarship
A leadership scholarship values commitment and impact; a research scholarship highlights methodology and publications. Reorder the sections and put first what the committee is looking for. Reuse the keywords of the call when they match your background.
Format and readability
- A plain font, readable size, proper margins, consistent alignment.
- No photo unless the call requests one.
- Dates consistent with your other documents: the slightest discrepancy raises doubts.
- Export as a PDF with a clear file name (LASTNAME-Firstname-CV).
Common mistakes
- Ten lines of generalities about hobbies and nothing about achievements.
- Spelling mistakes: ask for a proofread.
- Unexplained gaps: a gap year can be justified in one line.
- A single CV sent to every scholarship without adaptation.