SVG’s Phillip John granted the 2026 ECCB-Thomas De La Rue Scholarship

VINCENTIAN PHILLIP JOHN, is the recipient of the 2026 prestigious ECCB–Thomas De La Rue Scholarship.

In a release, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank said following a rigorous assessment process, John emerged as the successful candidate based on his fulfilment of the scholarship criteria and overall assessment results. John is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning at the Imperial College London, United Kingdom, one of the world’s leading institutions for science, technology and innovation.

The ECCB–Thomas De La Rue Scholarship was relaunched in 2025 under a revised Aide Memoire to support outstanding citizens of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to advancing the development of the Currency Union. Preference is given to applicants pursuing graduate studies in the following fields: 1. Economics, with specialisations in monetary economics, financial economics, econometrics, finance, public finance, regional integration, tourism economics, energy economics, or development economics.

2. Data Science, with specialisations in data analytics, data processing, statistical modelling, machine learning, or big data.

The scholarship provides funding of up to US$25,000 per scholar and is tenable for a maximum period of two academic years.The award may be applied to tuition and other university fees, support materials, on-campus accommodation, economic costs and one return airfare.

Nine candidates from six ECCB member countries (Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines submitted applications for the scholarship.

As part of the scholarship programme, John will also undertake an internship at the ECCB’s Research, Statistics and Data Analytics Department, where he will gain practical experience and contribute to the Bank’s work in data analysis and research.

In keeping with the scholarship’s developmental objectives, the ECCB also said recipients are required, upon completion of their studies, to work in any ECCB member country for a minimum period equivalent to the length of their studies plus one additional year. This requirement helps ensure that the knowledge and expertise acquired through the programme contribute directly to the sustainable development and advancement of the region.

The ECCB has extended congratulations to John and wishes him every success in his academic pursuits and future career. The Bank said it also expresses appreciation to all of the applicants for their interest in the scholarship programme and their commitment to advancing education and development within the ECCU.