JDRF Career Development Award
May 16th, 2013 by Bryanna Lindblom
JDRF Career Development Award
Deadline: September 15
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is host to a number of scholarships, including the career development award. This award is designed to assist those who are newly pursuing their career path with funding to perform diabetes- related research.
This gives qualified scientists the chance to not only perform industry research but to also establish themselves within areas that reflect the JDRF research emphasis areas.
There is not a citizenship requirement for this award and research can be conducted at foreign or domestic locations, so individuals around the globe are able to apply.
Additionally, applicants must have an academic, faculty-level position at the time of application. To apply students must submit a proposal which includes the following:
- Research Plan
- Future Career Plan Statement
- Recommendation References
- Institutional Assurance
The JDRF career development award is granted in the amount of $150,000 for up to 5 years. At the end of each year of funding, awardees must provide a progress report.
You can find more information and how to apply for the JDRF Career Development Award here.
Takis Chrysanthou Honored Scholar Award
May 9th, 2013 by Bryanna Lindblom
Takis Chrysanthou Honored Scholar Award
Deadline: July 15
In previous years, the Takis Chrysanthou Honored Scholar program has been granted to one student each semester that is studying in Cyprus. However, this semester the award will be granted to 100 students! This award is granted to qualifying students this Spring in the amount of $1,500 to those who are studying around the globe through the Global Learning Semesters (GLS) Study Abroad Program. This award can be used toward the fees associated with studying abroad through the GLS program.
The Takis Chrysanthou honored scholar award is granted on a merit basis to students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. To receive this scholarship students must have first been accepted into a semester-long study abroad program through GLS and send in the following by July 15 to apply for the Spring semester award:
• A copy of their latest FASFA
• Other expected financial aid sources
• An essay of 600 words or less based upon the contribution the student expects to make toward the group trip experience
If you are studying abroad through GLS and would like to apply for this award, you can find more information on the Takis Chrysanthou honored scholar award here.
Schwarzman Scholar Program Sends Students to China
May 1st, 2013 by Ben Cohen
Billionaire and Blackstone Group founder Stephen Schwarzman has announced the creation of the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. It’s mission? Schwarzman Scholar Program sends students to China. The scholarships, to be funded by Schwarzman’s own $100 million dollar donation as well as $200 million more from other international donors, will function similarly to Oxford’s prestigious Rhodes Scholarship though will obviously allow students to study in China rather than the U.K.
Starting in 2016, 200 international Schwarzman Scholars annually will get the opportunity to study in China at one of the country’s most prominent educational institutions in an all-expenses-paid, year-long program in Public Policy, International Relations, Engineering, or Economics & Business. These elite students will then leave the program with a Master’s Degree.
Schwarzman hopes that encouraging students from around the world (though scholars from the United States will represent the largest proportion) to study in China will foster an enduring academic and cultural relationship between the rapidly rising China and the rest of the world. Classes in the Schwarzman Scholars program will all be taught in English, further emphasizing the program’s mission of connecting Western, English-speaking powerhouses like the United States and the United Kingdom with the increasingly relevant China.
The Schwarzman Scholars program’s international commitment is also reinforced by its impressive advisory board, which is graced by influential figures such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former U.S. Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, and Condoleezza Rice, and even famous cellist Yo-yo Ma.
The Schwarzman Scholars program represents a very exciting new opportunity for U.S. students looking to study abroad. With its high level of prestige in its host university and advisory board, setting in an emerging world superpower, and its fantastic zero dollar price tag, the program looks poised to provide quality international education to students when it does kick off in 2016.
*Photo Courtesy of BusinessInsider.com
Roy W. Dean Los Angeles Video Grant
April 25th, 2013 by Bryanna Lindblom
Roy W. Dean Los Angeles Video Grant
Deadline: June 30
Are you a film student who needs funding to create the film of your dreams? If so, you may be interested in the Roy W. Dean Los Angeles video grant. This award is available for individuals around the world wanting to create a short, low budget film and will provide sponsorship for those who qualify. This grant program was started by Carole Dean in honor of her father Roy W. Dean, to help passionate filmmakers achieve their goal. This year alone the Roy W. Dean grant has awarded nearly $60,000 in grants.
Student filmmakers, independent producers or production companies can apply for this sponsorship for new projects, or projects that are currently in progress.
To apply for the Roy W. Dean Los Angeles video grant you will need to submit a grant form application and written proposal that includes the following about your film:
- Style, format and approach you will be taking
- Your plan for distribution
- Your role in creating the film (director, producer, etc.)
- How your project is unique and will benefit the society
- Your relationship to the content
- The names, role and experience of everyone involved in the film
To find out more or to apply for the Roy W. Dean Los Angeles video grant, visit here.
Vintage 8mm film projector photo courtesy of Shutterstock
5 Tips When Writing a Scholarship Essay
April 23rd, 2013 by Ben Cohen
Cranking out a great scholarship essay is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not you wind up landing that crucial scholarship to study in the U.S. But writing a scholarship essay is difficult if you don’t know the basics. Here are 5 tips when writing a scholarship essay that will help you along the way:
1. Address the prompt
While some scholarship essay prompts will be very open, others will ask you to write about a pretty specific issue or prompt. Make sure you look closely at exactly what the prompt is asking for and write your essay accordingly! If you’re supposed to describe a time you learned from a mistake, for example, writing a scholarship essay about your life-changing trip to India won’t get you anywhere.
2. Be yourself
Though it is quite possibly the single most cliché bit of advice on writing a great scholarship essay, it is VERY true that you should write honestly rather than trying to say what you think the reader will want to hear. The readers are professionals; they can smell dishonest kowtowing and they respect reading an applicant’s true voice.
3. Tell a unique story
Whatever the prompt is, try writing a scholarship essay that avoids commonality. For example, if the prompt asks you to recount a difficult time in your life, try to avoid common topics like parents’ divorce, deaths of loved ones, and so on. Of course, in keeping with Tip #2 above, if you are very passionate about writing on one of these topics you should listen to your instinct and go for it.
4. Show growth
Especially if you’re asked to discuss a negative experience, you’ll want to put emphasis on how you learned and grew from the issue. This will show maturity, perseverance, and insight.
5. Proofread!
It’s awful to have a great scholarship essay derailed by poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Have friends, teachers, and family members look over your essay exclusively for these specific problems. The more eyes you get on it, the better.
If you enjoyed reading our article on the 5 tips when writing a scholarship essay, then check out our partner InternationalStudent.com’s Scholarship Essay Center.
Stella Blum Research Grant
April 18th, 2013 by Bryanna Lindblom
Stella Blum Research Grant
Deadline: May 1
The Costume Society of America promotes the research and understanding of dress and appearance around the globe- throughout time. Each year the society hosts the annual Stella Blum research grant to promote and encourage research based around dress by granting one individual financial assistance to be used towards research in this field. Individuals around the world, including international students, who meet the following are able to apply for the Stella Blum research grant:
- Are enrolled in a degree program at an accredited institution
- Is a good standing member of the Costume Society
- Is applying for the grant to perform research projects in the field of North American costume
This award is granted in an amount up to $2,500 and can only be used for project support. Submitted entries will be judged by a panel of five individuals who will evaluate the following five areas:
- Creativity and innovation
- Attention to costume matters
- Impact the research will have within the field
- Awareness of the interdisciplinary nature of the field
- Ability to carry out the research in a timely manner
- Faculty advisor recommendations toward the international student
If you are an international student and meet the eligibility requirements for the Stella Blum research grant, you can find more information on the Stella Blum research grant and apply here.
Grant word on paper photo courtesy of Shutterstock
Who Should Review My Scholarship Essay
April 15th, 2013 by Ben Cohen
Your scholarship admission essay is a very important part of nabbing that all-important application that gives you entrance into your dream school – while high test scores and extracurricular excellence get you partly there, it’s a great essay that makes you really stand out from a pool of similar applicants. One key step in delivering a great essay is to get someone (preferably a few people, actually) to review your essay. But who should review my scholarship essay? Who will have a valuable outside perspective?
First off, go against your first instinct and don’t have your parents review your essay. The problem is that many parents are so encouraging of their children that they’ll actually be unhelpful when it comes to giving you real, constructive advice rather than just telling you everything looks great! If you still want your folks to look it over, tell them to go through your scholarship essay for specific, objective mistakes like spelling and grammar errors rather than broader considerations like structure and theme.
Who should review my scholarship essay, then? An honest friend who knows you well and isn’t afraid to give you constructive criticism is a good choice to review your essay. One of the best types of advice you can get from a close friend is how much your own voice comes through in your essay – and your friend should be able to tell you if you’re expressing yourself or if you just come across as dull and ordinary.
Another great person to have check out your scholarship essay is a teacher. Teachers are knowledgeable and have no reluctance about giving feedback since that’s an integral part of their job anyway! In addition to the obvious choice of an English teacher, try to find a teacher who will be close to the target audience of your actual essay to review your essay. If you’re applying for a scholarship to an engineering major, for example, try getting one of your math teachers to check it out.
Your scholarship essay is very important, so make sure you take all the necessary steps and get your essay reviewed!
*Photo of student writing an essay courtesy of Shutterstock
Lindbergh Grant
April 11th, 2013 by Bryanna Lindblom
Lindbergh Grant
Deadline: June 9
In 1977 the Lindbergh Foundation was established to further the vision that Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh had in regards to finding a balance between advancing technology and our natural environment. Each year the Lindbergh Foundation awards the Lindbergh grant to ten individuals who have made a significant effort to help with fulfilling this vision of balance.
This grant can be used to help fund research expenses associated with furthering technology while keeping a balance within nature. Individuals from around the world are eligible to be entered into the running for this grant, there is not a restriction based upon institution of study or research.
Individuals must be nominated for the Lindbergh grant, submissions are then reviewed by an award committee who will pass along the eligible candidates to the Foundation board for the final selection. Nominees who are passed along but do not receive the award are eligible to receive the grant in future years without having to be re-nominated.
The following must be submitted in English to nominate a qualifying individual:
- A nomination form
- An executive summary of the nominee’s accomplishments
- A letter of support from another individual to support the nomination
You can find more information on how to nominate a qualifying individual for the Lindbergh grant here.
*Ecology illustration lamp bulb photo courtesy of Shutterstock
The Fountainhead Essay Contest
April 4th, 2013 by Bryanna Lindblom
The Fountainhead Essay Contest
Deadline: April 26
Students around the world who are in 11th and 12th grade are able to enter The Fountainhead essay contest for the chance to win $10,000. To enter, students can choose one of three pre-determined topics based upon the novel The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand and write an essay between 800 and 1,600 words. There is not an application for this contest, however, along with an essay, individuals must submit a contact sheet with the following information by April 26th:
- Name and address of applicant
- Email address
- Name and address of school
- Topic selected
- Current grade level
This contest is sponosored by the Ayn Rand Institute, and the following prizes will be awarded based upon the evaluation of the pre-determined judges:
- First prize: $10,000
- Second prize (5): $2,000
- Third prize (10): $1,000
- Finalists (45): $100
- Semifinalists (175): $50
Students who would like more information on how to enter The Fountainhead essay contest can visit here.
Portrait of a serious student writing an essay photo courtesy of Shutterstock
Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation Award
March 28th, 2013 by Bryanna Lindblom
Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation Award
Deadline: April 1
The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) hosts an annual scholarship competition that awards over 200 scholarships to students interested in pursuing the graphics communication industry. To be eligible for a Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation award students must meet the following:
- Be pursuing a career in graphic communications, printing technology, printing management or publishing
- Be a high school senior or graduate
- Be enrolled in a two or four year accredited graphic or printing program
- Be a full-time student
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Students who are eligible for this award must also meet certain requirements based upon spreading PGSF awareness through Facebook.
Applicants need to complete the scholarship application and submit the requested documentation by April 1 to be eligible for this award. The average award amount is $2000 per student; however, this amount can be awarded in an amount as great as $5000. These awards are renewable for up to four years as long as the awardee continues to meet the eligibility requirements.
Find out more on the requirements and how to apply for the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation Award here.
