Leading sports PR and international relations agency, JTA, today announced that it is offering an MSA scholarship for the inaugural year at the Sochi-based Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) starting this September - including the period of the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

JTA's scholarship will cover the successful student's tuition costs for the MSA programme, to be taught at RIOU's state of the art campus, which will lie at the heart of the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games next year. The course will allow students to acquire new knowledge and skills in relation to sports organisations, sports events and sports event management – providing alumni with the skills to become future managers within the Olympic Movement.

Jon Tibbs, Chairman of JTA, who has worked closely with the University during its development, said: "JTA already has a strong, established relationship with the Russian International Olympic University and the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee; this scholarship is a symbol of JTA's commitment to RIOU and the Sochi 2014 legacy. The feeling of excitement in anticipation of next year's Winter Games is already tangible. We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer a British student the unprecedented opportunity to experience this excitement within a world-class educational institution such as RIOU".

Professor Lev Belousov, RIOU's CEO, expressed his gratitude to JTA: "This scholarship is a powerful gesture of support from JTA after a number of fruitful years working together. We are glad that yet another talented and deserving student will have the chance to join our first intake in 2013 before they enter the Olympic world as highly qualified managers."

The grant offered by JTA is for 500,000 rubles (approximately $15,000) and covers the full tuition fee; this does not include accommodation costs. An application for the scholarship can be made once the individual has been approved by RIOU for the MSA course. More details can be found at http://www.jtassocs.com/scholarship/scholarship.html.

On the photo – Chairman of JTA Jon Tibbs and RIOU Rector Professor Lev Belousov