Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Onassis Foundation Scholarship Requirements

The Onassis Foundation, established in 1975 to honor Alexander Onassis, plays a pivotal role in shaping society through its commitment to arts, healthcare, and education. A core aspect of this mission is the Foundation's Scholarship Program, which has supported thousands of scholars since 1978. This article delves into the Onassis Foundation Scholarship requirements, offering a comprehensive guide for prospective applicants.

The Onassis Foundation: A Legacy of Support

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, the Onassis Foundation has consistently invested in knowledge, innovation, and creativity. The scholarship program embodies this commitment by empowering young scientists and researchers to overcome obstacles and contribute groundbreaking work to their respective fields. From medicine to engineering, the Foundation's support positively impacts society by fostering solutions to global challenges.

The Vision Behind the Scholarships

The Onassis Foundation believes in the power of dreams and supports individuals who work towards a better society. Through perseverance and effort, scholars transform the impossible into the feasible. The Foundation recognizes that achievements and discoveries are not singular moments but the result of collective effort over time.

Eligibility and Application Process

The Onassis Foundation Scholarship Program offers financial assistance to students pursuing various academic disciplines. While specific requirements may vary depending on the scholarship type and academic level, some general guidelines apply.

Important Considerations for Applicants

Applicants are advised to carefully review the Scholarship Call text, which outlines the terms and conditions, eligible specializations, and study levels. It is crucial to understand these guidelines before starting the application process.

Online Submission

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted exclusively online. The process involves creating a personal account in the Onassis Directory and completing the initial application stage. Applicants can then fill in the application and upload the required supporting documents until the specified closing date.

Success Stories: Onassis Scholars Making a Difference

Numerous Onassis scholars have achieved remarkable success in their fields, demonstrating the impact of the Foundation's support.

Innovators and Entrepreneurs

Vasileios Dimakopoulos (2021 Scholar), co-founder and co-CEO of Aisthesis Medical startup, is included in Forbes Greece’s “30 under 30” list. Aisthesis Medical monitors biomarkers and clinical data to provide personalized surgical intervention plans. Vasileios Koutsoumpas (2022 Scholar), also featured in Forbes Greece’s “30 under 30,” co-founded WeFor, a non-governmental organization addressing challenges faced by Generation Z.

Researchers and Academics

Panagiotis Kyriakopoulos (2019 Scholar) received a Study UK Alumni Award in 2022 for Business and Innovation from the British Council. He also received the Excellence in Research award from the Adam Smith Business School of the University of Glasgow for two consecutive years. His research focuses on Technology Parks, internationalization of micromultinational enterprises, global entrepreneurship, and global business strategy. Ioannis Katsantonis (2021 Scholar) was honored with the 2023 Doctoral Student Rising Star Award from the Faculty of Education of the University of Cambridge. His research explores human agency in academic achievement. Leonidas Romanos Ntavranoglou (2016 Scholar) is part of the Oxford University research team that rediscovered Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna in Papua's jungles in November 2023. Maria Rousou (2018 Scholar) was honored by the National Horticultural Society of France for her archaeobotany thesis on the evolution of the paleoenvironment and exploitation of plant resources in the Preceramic Neolithic of Cyprus.

Artists and Filmmakers

Sozita Goudouna (2002 Scholar) received a Study UK Alumni Award in 2022 for Culture and Creativity from the British Council. Araceli Lemos (2010 Scholar) saw her first feature film premiere at the 74th Locarno Film Festival, where it received a Special Mention of the Jury and was awarded Best First Feature. Sotiris Petridis (2015 Scholar) co-authored the film “Re-Live,” which won Best Science Fiction Film at the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival 2022.

Read also: Unlocking Artistic Potential

Scientists and Engineers

Manolis Efthimiou (2021 Scholar) is a member of the ΑΜΖ Driverless team from ETH Zurich University, which ranked first in the Engineering Design category at the Formula Student Germany competition. Alexander Mezari (2016 Scholar) received the Humboldt-Prize 2022 for the best PhD thesis of the year from Humboldt University of Berlin. Efthalia Aggelopoulou (2015 Scholar) is part of a research team led by a Professor of Neurology.

These scholars exemplify the diverse fields and significant contributions supported by the Onassis Foundation Scholarship Program.

Onassis Foundation Fellowship in Ancient Greek Studies at The New School for Social Research

The Onassis Foundation also supports the Onassis Foundation Fellowship in Ancient Greek Studies at The New School for Social Research. This fellowship, launched in 2014, provides three years of funding to two PhD Philosophy students specializing in ancient Greek thought.

Focus Areas

The fellowship emphasizes drama, philosophy, political theory, history, and poetry within the context of ancient Greek studies.

Faculty and Research

Gwenda-lin Grewal, the Onassis Lecturer in Ancient Greek Thought and Language, brings expertise in ancient philosophy and literature, translation, and reception. Her research interests include modern readings of ancient Greek texts and the ancient texts themselves. Joseph Lemelin focuses on the philosophical history of the distinction between the natural and the artificial, particularly in ancient Greek philosophy and Aristotle’s physics.

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Research Themes Explored by Scholars

Fellows explore themes such as memory and forgetting and their effects on identity and contemporary social and political life. Dissimilar approaches and usages of theater in philosophy are also examined. Scholars investigate the concept of "psychagogy" (ψυχαγωγία)-the art of conducting souls-as an interpretative key for understanding Plato’s Phaedrus. The relationship between a community and its individual members, as explored by Plotinus, is another area of focus. The notion of passivity, particularly in Aristotle's Metaphysics, is also investigated, considering ways of being that belong to the sleepful, unconscious, and passive parts of our being in the world.

The Onassis Channel: A Digital Stage for Culture and Ideas

The Onassis Foundation extends its reach through the Onassis Channel on YouTube, a digital platform showcasing premieres, discussions, and performances. This channel provides access to diverse content, including:

Premieres of theatrical productions
Discussions on democracy and societal issues
Performances by Greek musicians
Conversations with artists and thinkers

The Onassis Channel exemplifies the Foundation's commitment to making culture accessible and fostering dialogue on important social topics.

Other Onassis Foundation Initiatives

Beyond scholarships and the Onassis Channel, the Foundation engages in various initiatives across arts, healthcare, and education.

Onassis Stegi: A Hub for Culture

Onassis Stegi is a cultural center in Athens that hosts a diverse range of performances, exhibitions, and events. The 2025-2026 season includes theater productions, music performances, exhibitions, workshops, and discussions.

Onassis Health: Advancing Healthcare

The Onassis Foundation supports healthcare initiatives, including the Onassis National Transplant Center, contributing to advancements in medical treatment and patient care.

Onassis Library: Preserving Knowledge

The Onassis Library preserves and promotes access to knowledge, supporting research and scholarship.

Public Onassis Schools: Transforming Education

The Onassis Foundation collaborates with the Ministry of Education to transform public secondary schools across Greece, integrating innovative educational programs.

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