“Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation” was established in US in 1986 by American Armenian philanthropists Hirair and Anna Hovnanian. Since then Foundation has been realizing various charitable programs in various spheres, including education.

Foundation’s Armenia branch was opened in Yerevan, Armenia, back in 2006. Here as well Foundation has been successfully carrying out several charitable projects, such as construction of “Hirair and Anna Hovnanian” Business Centre, which hosts many NGOs, construction of an ecclesiastical complex consisting of a pontifical residence and “Saint Anna” church on the crossroad of Abovyan and Sayat Nova streets in downtown Yerevan, scholarship awards to promising Armenians admitted to universities abroad, and beginning this year also scholarships for the students from local universities, who have high academic performance, but are not able to cover tuition expenses themselves.

Last year, 2012, Foundation’s Yerevan office processed over 30 applications, out of which 13 were successfully accepted and about $140,000 was distributed. For this year, $185,000 was projected to different universities to help Armenian students to cover tuition and board expenses. Applicants with various backgrounds were included in the eligibility list; among those were mathematicians, IT specialist, physicists, lawyers, philologists, musicians, etc. as there are no restrictions on the pursuit degree, it could be undergraduate, graduates as well as postgraduate.

All the students, who have received Hovnanian scholarship proved to be richly worthy holders of Armenian scholars abroad by showing high academic performance and getting excellent marks and professor recommendations. Intelligence and potential for reaching new heights are the peculiar features of our nation. No doubt, all those students will get high quality education and required skills abroad for making future contribution toward development of our country. Throughout studies and after successful graduation Hovnanian Foundation scholars tend to stay in touch with the Yerevan branch office and continuously provide with the feedback. To quote a few:

Levon Avanesyan, twice received Hovnanian scholarship for academic years of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014, holds the highest grade in the class at the University of Toronto, GPA 4/4, and here is what he says.

“I am extremely thankful to the “Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation” for the scholarship provided to me for the academic years 2012-2013. Hovnanian scholarship has given me a possibility to start studies at the University of Toronto (UofT), one of the best universities in the world. It has been a really great support for me towards getting a quality education, acquiring knowledge and skills. This provides me with an opportunity to become a professional of the highest level and to serve Armenia the best possible way. I understand very well that being awarded with Hovnanian scholarship is a big privilege. This highly motivates and obliges me to do my best for keeping up the highest standards and best reputation of Armenian students and Hovnanian's scholars.”

Narek Misakyan, twice received Hovnanian scholarship for academic years of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014, shows excellent performance at University College London, UK, and here is how he expresses his experience with Hovnanian foundation:

“Quality education has been my dream and a goal I have tried to reach since my school years. I took the first step 13 years ago, when I was admitted to Anania Shirakatsi Lyceum and where I was later on awarded a Full academic excellence Scholarship. In 2007, I won a Global Connect Scholarship at The Regent’s School, Thailand and since then I have enjoyed every minute of learning. Last year, having an unconditional offer from the University College of London, Faculty of Economics and Business with East European Studies, I needed a financial assistance to be able to obtain my studies there. The Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation Scholarship has not only given me the chance to study at the top rated university, but faith that at the end of every tunnel there is light. I cherish this honorable opportunity with a pride and deep sense of responsibility.  Being a scholarship recipient gave me great confidence in my abilities and made me believe that I could make a successful career out of what I studied. It has encouraged me and taught me that I should not limit myself from great opportunities. The Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation Scholarship helped me a lot in raising my self confidence and was a confirmation that I am following a good path in my career.

After receiving high quality education at the University College of London I will exert all my efforts to become a good specialist in Economics and Business area by using my experience and qualities in my work for the sake of Armenia and the Armenian community.

I would like to emphasize that The Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation Scholarship plays a huge role in starting my studies at the University College of London and for the realization of my dreams and plans in Armenia.”

Another recipient – Eduard Badalyan, who is successfully graduating University of Pennsylvania this year writes:

 “During my childhood I read a lot about Armenian businessmen and philanthropists Calouste Gulbenkian, Alexander Mantashev and others. I was very impressed how they were humanist, people who loved and tried to help own nation, young generation, prospective students, supporting their education at the best Universities in the World. Passed 20 years and I got opportunity to continue my education at one of the best Universities in United States and in the World and I found out that after decades we still have Armenian philanthropists such as Hovnanians. Hrair and Anna Hovnanian scholarship helped both in morally and financially to study at Fels Institute of Government, University of Pennsylvania to reach to my dreams and later use the knowledge and experience for the bright future of Armenia. I want to express my deepest gratitude for selecting me for one of the recipients of Hovnanian scholarship. I am very grateful for Hovnanian’s support to Armenian student education process in overseas.”

One of the scholars – Anush Chubaryan, who soon will get her Ph.D, has been receiving Hovnanian scholarship during the past 3 years, and here is her feedback:

“I am a PhD student at the University of South Carolina in the field of Educational Leadership and Policy. I have undertaken an international comparative research in the field of education, which is very interesting and important for my field of study. To be successful in my research I had to be enrolled in 69 credit hours. I applied to Hovnanian Foundation to support me with my tuition and I received a positive response from the Foundation. With the support of Foundation I could complete my main coursework and publish two articles. Currently the Foundation supports my enrollment in my dissertation credit hours, which is directly related to my research. I am very thankful to Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation for this great hand of help. “

The other scholar who is a pianist and studies in Lucern University of Music – Edgar Bablumyan, shared his feelings:

“Being a student of the Yerevan State Conservatory I passed a master class at a world-known pianist Konstantin Lifschitz. Since then I had a dream to study in his class. And only thanks to the Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation my wish has come true – I am a student of the Lucerne University in the class of Prof.Konstantin Lifschitz. I am proud that within this not a long period of my study in Switzerland I used to have lot of chances to grow as a musician. Due to your financial support I am able to reveal all my abilities. “

All those valuable feedbacks are the best incentives to continue the noble work, which will definitely serve to the welfare of our country.

This year Hovnanian Foundation granted scholarships to about 30 applicants, exceeding last year’s number by almost two times, including the students from Armenian state universities. Although application submission deadline for foreign university scholars for this year is up and shall resume only in the beginning of the next year, students studying at local state universities are still eligible to apply till July 15, 2013.

Applications’ submission for the academic year 2014-2015 will open again in the beginning of February, 2014.

Summarizing our accomplishments so far, our office can proudly state that our contributions are fully justified and those of our scholars who are currently studying abroad will definitely return to their motherland and serve the interests of our people armed with new knowledge and skills.

For more detailed information, please contact us at

[email protected]

OR follow the news at our website

www.hovnanianfoundation.am