Davidson Fellows Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship recognizes young people who have completed a significant, original piece of work with the potential to contribute meaningfully to a field. Independent judges award one-time scholarships of $100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 for future education at an accredited institution. Categories include science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature, music, philosophy, and Outside the Box. Community-service projects and descriptions of a future major or career are not eligible by themselves. The work must demonstrate depth, significance, and the applicant’s own expertise; category-specific portfolios and evidence requirements apply. Individual applicants and teams of two may enter, although teams must contact program staff before beginning and every member must independently satisfy the rules. Applicants must be age 18 or younger on the deadline and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in the United States, or be stationed abroad because of active U.S. military duty. Two non-family nominators are required. A recipient and at least one parent or guardian must attend the recognition event, with eligible travel and lodging provided. The application has an initial project-screening stage before the full portfolio and nominator forms unlock. The 2026 cycle is closed; the official site says the 2027 application will open in fall 2026 but has not yet published its deadline.

Eligibility

• Be age 18 or younger on the application deadline; there is no minimum age
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the United States, or be abroad because of active U.S. military duty
• Complete a significant original work in an eligible STEM, humanities, music, or Outside the Box category
• Demonstrate that the submitted work is the applicant’s own creation and acknowledge all outside contributions
• Apply individually or as a team of no more than two eligible people
• Submit all category materials and forms from two non-family nominators
• Have the applicant and parent or guardian sign the attendance commitment
• Attend the required recognition event with a parent or guardian if selected