Published: August 20, 2025
Universidad ORT Uruguay the Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship Competition, open to 11th-grade students at public and private high schools and UTU centers across the country who wish to begin a college degree program in March 2026.
The scholarship, named in honor of Prof. Charlotte de Grünberg—who served as president of Universidad ORT Uruguay 1977 to 2024—covers 100% of the cost of the recipient’s chosen degree program and provides a monthly stipend of $30,000 (Uruguayan pesos) to help cover the recipient’s living expenses.
The Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship aims to honor the memory of an exemplary educator and provide talented young people with the opportunity to achieve their personal and professional goals.
The life story of Prof. Charlotte de Grünberg, as told in the novel by Ruperto Long The Girl Who Watched the Trains Leave, reflects resilience and a love of education—values that this contest aims to promote among the younger generations.
Contest
The contest is based on an assessment of knowledge and understanding of the literary work *The Girl Who Watched the Trains Leave*, by Uruguayan author Ruperto Long.
The book tells the story of Charlotte, an 8-year-old Belgian girl who, along with her family, must flee Nazi persecution during World War II.
Based on true events, the book weaves together the childhood of Charlotte (who would later become Professor Charlotte de Grünberg) with the experiences of others from that era, inviting readers to reflect on and become aware of the impact of war on children and the resilience of the human spirit.
Requirements
The contest is open to students who are under 20 years of age at the time of registration and who, in 2025, will be enrolled in the 3rd year of Upper Secondary Education (EMS) in any field of study, attending public or private institutions in the Eastern Republic of Uruguay or their equivalent in the Directorate of Technical and Vocational Education (DGETP - UTU) and who, in 2024, completed the 5th year of high school (now the 2nd year of EMS) with a grade point average of 9 or higher, or its equivalent at UTU.
This includes high school students from all academic tracks who hope to begin their studies at Universidad ORT Uruguay March 2026 in any of its degree programs.
Applicants must be currently enrolled as 11th-grade students in 2025 and must graduate from high school by March 2026.
Participants must not have completed or be currently enrolled in any other undergraduate or short-term degree programs at Universidad ORT Uruguay.
Immediate family members of Universidad ORT Uruguay employees are not eligible to participate.
Benefits of the scholarship
The winner of the contest will receive a full scholarship to pursue the selected degree program at Universidad ORT Uruguay.
The scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees for the entire degree program, as well as a monthly stipend of $30,000 (thirty thousand Uruguayan pesos, adjusted annually for inflation) to cover educational and living expenses for the duration of the program.
The scholarship is non-transferable.
Evaluation of the contest
Contest participants will take a written test with questions about the book *The Girl Who Watched the Trains Go By*.
To participate in the assessment, you must have read and understood the book.
The book will be available in digital format free of charge through the Plan Ceibal e-book lending platform, with a loan period of three weeks (21 days) per user. See Appendix 1.
Contest Registration
Interested students should complete the registration form available on the Universidad ORT Uruguay website.
https://www.ort.edu.uy/becas/beca-charlotte-de-grunberg/inscripcion
Those interested may register through Friday, November 21, 2025.
We recommend that you complete your application as soon as possible so that you have more time to read the book and prepare for the exam. See Appendix 2.
Evaluation and Selection Process
The competition consists of two evaluation stages, designed to identify the candidates with the strongest reading comprehension skills and the highest academic achievements.
The selection process is described step by step below:
1. Online registration
Registration involves verifying participants' information and documentation.
Once the information has been verified, applicants will receive instructions on how to access the book in digital or physical format, depending on their preference.
2. Reading the book
You have several weeks to read the assigned book, with free access to either the online version or a printed copy.
If you've already registered, you can reserve your copyby clicking here.
3. Written exam
A written exam must be taken at the ORT Centro Campus (Cuareim 1451 – Montevideo) on Friday, November 28, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., following prior verified registration.
The test consists of a series of questions about the book.
You will not be allowed to consult any reference materials or the book during the exam.
4. Selection of finalists
The 10 students with the highest test scores will be shortlisted as finalists in the competition.
Finalists will be asked to submit additional documentation necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their academic and socioeconomic status. See Appendix 3.
5. Individual interviews
A selection committee will choose three finalists, who will each have an individual interview.
The purpose of this stage is to get to know each candidate, delving into their interests, motivations, and goals for their professional future.
The selection process will take into account the written exam score, previous academic performance (grade point averages for the 2024 and 2025 school years), socioeconomic status (sworn statement), and the submitted letter.
6. Selection of the winner and awarding of the scholarship
Once the interviews are complete, the panel will deliberate and select the recipient of the Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship.
The final results will be announced publicly. In addition, the winner and those not selected as finalists will be notified individually.
If the winner declines the prize for any reason, it will be awarded to the next runner-up in the order determined by the judging panel.
The recipient of the scholarship will be guided through the registration and enrollment process for their chosen program at ORT, with the scholarship becoming effective only upon the start of classes in March 2026.
Participation in the contest implies acceptance of these terms and conditions. Any situation not covered in this description will be resolved by Universidad ORT Uruguay.
Participants are expected to maintain academic integrity (for example, the use of reference materials, copying, or any unauthorized aids is prohibited during the exam) and to ensure the accuracy of the information and documents they provide.
Jury
- Miguel Brechner, Engineer – Founder of Plan Ceibal
- Ruperto Long, Engineer – Author of the book *The Girl Who Watched the Trains Leave*
- Dr. María Julia Muñoz – Minister of Education and Culture (2015–2020) and Minister of Public Health (2005–2010)
- Prof. Gabriel Quirici – National Director of Education at the Ministry of Education and Culture
- Dr. Denise Vaillant – Dean of the Institute of Education at Universidad ORT Uruguay
Scholarship Renewal
To retain the full amount of the scholarship, the recipient must meet the following requirements:
- Maintain continuity in their studies between semesters by taking at least three courses per semester.
- Maintain a grade point average of at least 70% throughout the program. This average is calculated based on the total number of courses taken during the program.
- Graduating within the standard duration of the degree program. This means completing both the degree program within the stipulated timeframe and the final project, which must be completed no later than one semester after the completion of the coursework semesters.
Distribution
Universidad ORT Uruguay the right to use and/or reference the proposals submitted by participants for the purpose of promoting this academic event. This includes the use of photographs taken during the competition sessions and/or written or audiovisual testimonials.
By entering this contest, participants agree to these terms and conditions.
These initiatives are designed to promote and recognize students’ activities and achievements as part of the Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship competition.
Note: The dates listed are approximate and are subject to change. Applicants are advised to stay tuned for official communications via email and on the ORT website to confirm each milestone of the competition.
We encourage all students from every high school and UTU center in Uruguay who dream of a college education to enter this contest!
This is a unique opportunity to showcase your talent, hard work, and motivation, and thereby earn a scholarship that will allow you to pursue your desired degree at Universidad ORT Uruguay all expenses covered.
Good luck to all the participants!
Appendix 1 – How to access the book?
- Register using the contest form on the ORT website.
https://www.ort.edu.uy/becas/beca-charlotte-de-grunberg/inscripcion - Once registration is complete, students will receive instructions on how to access the digital loan through Ceibal’s online library.
- Each participant may borrow the book in e-book format for up to 21 consecutive days.
- At the end of that period, the spot will automatically become available and may be assigned to another student on the waiting list.
- In this way, with multiple licenses operating in parallel, all contestants will have the opportunity to read the entire novel in the months leading up to the evaluation.
- If a student finishes reading it before the three-week period is up, we suggest returning the book early so that other students can have access to it as soon as possible.
- In addition, the platform allows users to renew the loan if copies are available and if the participant needs more time to read.
In addition, copies Universidad ORT Uruguay available for checkout at the libraries of Universidad ORT Uruguay for a period of 21 days.
For questions, book orders, or issues downloading the book online, please contact us here:
https://www.ort.edu.uy/becas/beca-charlotte-de-grunberg/reserva
Appendix 2 – Registration Form
The registration form will request the following personal and academic information from applicants:
- Name
- Surname
- Identity card
- Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
- Contact phone number (landline or alternative number)
- Personal cell phone or other contact number
- Active email address
- Home address (full address)
- Department
- High School / Institution
- High School Counseling
- Book Loan Preference
- Proof of a grade point average of 9 or higher in the 5th year of high school (2nd year of EMS) in 2024.
- Parental or guardian consent to participate in the contest - See Appendix 4.
All fields in the form are required.
It is important that the information provided be accurate and verifiable, as it will be used to confirm the participant’s eligibility (for example, their status as a 11th-grade student or their grade point average from the previous year).
Once you have completed the online registration, you will receive a confirmation email with further details about the contest, including instructions on how to access the digital book and key dates in the selection process.
Appendix 3 – Submission of Documentation by the Semifinalists
Affidavit of Household Income and Expenses
They must complete an online form in which the student and their family provide details about their financial situation (monthly income, major expenses, and other relevant information), signed as a sworn statement.
This document will allow ORT to take into account the financial circumstances of each finalist, as the Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship aims to recognize academic merit while providing an opportunity to those who need the most financial assistance for their college education.
Documents certifying qualifications
Applicants must provide proof of their grade point average from their 11th grade (now 2nd year of EMS) in 2024 and their grade point average for the courses completed in their 12th grade (3rd year of EMS) in 2025.
This documentation will allow for an assessment of sustained academic performance at the high school or UTU.
Personal Statement
The letter must be written by the student themselves, explaining their reasons for applying and their aspirations for receiving the Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship.
In this letter, the applicant can describe how Charlotte’s story inspired them (after reading the novel), what their professional and academic goals are, how receiving the scholarship will impact their family, and how they plan to make the most of this opportunity at ORT. It is an opportunity for the student to demonstrate their passion for learning and their commitment to their own future.
These documents must be submitted electronically (by uploading files to the designated platform or via email).
Details will be provided to the finalists. A period of 5 business days will be allowed between the date this information is provided and the submission deadline.
It is important to submit this on time and in the proper manner.
Failure to submit a required document or submission after the deadline is grounds for disqualifying the finalist.
Appendix 4 - Sample Authorization Form for a Parent or Guardian
I authorize ______________ (FIRST AND LAST NAME), ID number __________________, to participate in the Charlotte de Grünberg Scholarship Contest, and I accept the terms and conditions thereof.
Signature
- Name and surname
- Document
- Cell phone
- Please indicate whether you are a father, mother, or guardian