The University Scholarship Program (USP), is a program initiated in 2019, but only recently separated from the PSF, which is jointly funded by Friends of the DR and our partner organization, Fondo Quisqueya (FQ), to provide university scholarships to graduates of the National Environmental School in the DR.
The Brigada Verde University Scholarship Program is a program for graduates of the ITESMARENA Environmental School in the Dominican Republic that want to continue their education and obtain a four college degree in a related professional field. The program is supported jointly by Friends of the Dominican Republic (FDR) and Fondo Quisqueya (FQ), two organizations representing former Peace Corps Volunteers who served in the Dominican Republic.
The photo above represents current and former recipients of the Brigada Verde Scholarship Program. From left to right they are: Keisel Rivas, who was the first Brigada Verde scholarship recipient, who received his four year university degree in 2024; Flor Celeste Munoz Sena, who started her college studies in 2026; Claudio Enrique Javier Rodriguez, who started his college studies in 2026; Frank Badia, the professor and mentor/advisor to the students representing the Environmental School; Guy Baehr, a former Volunteer who lives in the DR and represents the joint FDR and FQ; Ramon Antonio Candelario, who started his graduate studies in 2022; Julian Gabriel Veras, who also started his graduate studies in 2022; Adriel Oliverria Santos, who started his graduate studies in 2024; and, Elizardo Paulino Fana, who also started his graduate studies in 2024.
For more information about the University Scholarship Program (USP), send an email to: Hermanmk@comcast.net