Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) is a United States-based non-profit organisation that runs the WMI Scholars Program, providing partial undergraduate scholarships of between US$300 and US$3,000 a year to academically strong students from developing countries, including South Africa, who are pursuing their first degree or diploma. Rather than funding students to study abroad, WMI deliberately supports them to study in their own countries, and scholarship funds can go towards tuition, fees, books, living costs and transport connected to study.
WMI's stated purpose is to create social change through education and community building: by keeping talented young people studying and living at home instead of drawing them to wealthier nations, the organisation aims to build a network of grassroots leaders who go on to catalyse development in their own communities. In keeping with this, scholars are expected to have a record of volunteering and, once selected, to complete 100 hours of community service each year they hold the award.
As a scholarship-granting foundation rather than an employer, WMI does not impose a work-back or bonded employment obligation on recipients; instead, applicants are expected to intend to live and work in their home country after graduation, which reflects the organisation's mission rather than a contractual return-of-service requirement.
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