The First Scholarship for the Civic Leadership Awarded at IIRPS VU and €100,000 Donation Announced

During the diploma award ceremony at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University (IIRPS VU), the Civic Leadership Scholarship was awarded for the first time. A significant philanthropic contribution of €100,000 to the IIRPS VU endowment sub-fund established within the Vilnius University Foundation was also announced.

The first Civic Leadership Scholarship, worth €1,000, was awarded to fourth-year IIRPS VU student Tomas Perkumas. He stands out for his excellent academic achievements and active civic engagement: he has gained experience in Lithuanian institutions, participates in youth policy activities, and contributes to public initiatives. The student is also active in the field of culture, representing Lithuanian traditions in Lithuania and abroad.

“I plan to continue actively pursuing my ongoing activities, further develop my academic competences, engage in civic initiatives, and contribute to youth involvement and the strengthening of civic leadership. The continuity of these activities fosters community building, as well as the continuity and preservation of the state’s culture,” says scholarship recipient T. Perkumas.

The Civic Leadership Scholarship is awarded to encourage students whose activities contribute to strengthening civic leadership, community spirit, and social responsibility. The scholarship is financed from the Mantvydas Juozapavičius Endowment Sub-Fund, established by philanthropists Irena and Algirdas Juozapavičiai to honour the memory of their son, Mantvydas Juozapavičius, who passed away in 2023. Mantvydas Juozapavičius graduated from the bachelor’s programme in political science at IIRPS VU in 1998 and was an active public figure and philanthropist.

During the event, it was also announced that patron Irena Juozapavičienė is donating €100,000 to the IIRPS endowment sub-fund. The donation comes from her personal funds and from the estate of her late husband, Doctor of Physical Sciences Algirdas Juozapavičius (1948–2025).

“This donation and the new Civic Leadership Scholarship are highly meaningful and necessary for ensuring the continuity of the IIRPS VU mission. We aim to educate not only academically strong students, but also people who, already during their studies, take responsibility for the state, demonstrate leadership, and actively contribute to strengthening society. That is why the Civic Leadership Scholarship, awarded for the first time this year, and the €100,000 donation from Irena and the late Algirdas Juozapavičiai to the IIRPS VU  endowment sub-fund are especially meaningful – they recognise and encourage civic leadership and create long-term opportunities to educate people committed to the state,” says Prof. Margarita Šešelgytė, Director of VU IIRPS.

She also emphasises the importance of the patrons’ contribution: “We are sincerely grateful to philanthropists Irena and the late Algirdas Juozapavičiai for their trust in IIRPS and their decision to invest in the Institute’s future. Their €100,000 donation to the VU IIRPS endowment sub-fund will help strengthen opportunities for students, support the academic community, and create even better conditions for a new generation of state leaders to grow.”

“We also thank the Vilnius University Foundation for its significant contribution to bringing together a community of patrons and fostering a tradition of long-term philanthropy, which enables consistent investment in students, researchers, and the future of the University. Initiatives like these ensure that support creates a long-term impact and strengthens not only the University, but Lithuanian society as a whole,” Prof. M. Šešelgytė says.

The allocated support will make it possible to launch the sub-fund’s full-scale activities as early as next year. Investment returns will be purposefully directed towards student scholarships, postdoctoral fellowships, and talent attraction initiatives, thereby strengthening the academic potential and competitiveness of IIRPS.