USA Scholarships
Professional Development Scholarship Guides
Professional Development Programs
Guides for funded professional development, leadership, and executive programs that don't lead to a degree but build skills and networks. Each guide covers eligibility, benefits, and the full application process.
Safe Cycling Scholarship 2026 - $1,000 Essay Award
The 2026 Safe Cycling Scholarship from Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law Firm awards $1,000 to one US high school senior, college student, or graduate student who writes the strongest essay on cycling safety, bike lanes, and traffic laws. Applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA, legal residency in any state or Washington, DC, and enrollment for the current academic year. The San Antonio firm prefers Texas students but accepts nationwide entries. Submit a 700-to-1,000-word essay, resume, and transcript through the online form by 30 November 2026. AI-generated essays are disqualified.
Rome Prize 2027 - Up to $30,000 Rome Fellowship
The Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome supports about thirty US artists and scholars each year with a residency in Italy. Full-term winners receive a $30,000 stipend, a private bedroom and bath, a studio, weekday meals through the Rome Sustainable Food Project, and nine months in Rome from September through June. Half-term awards pay $16,000. Most categories require US citizenship at application; several humanities postdoctoral tracks also accept foreign nationals who have lived in the United States for three years before the deadline. Applications for the 2027-2028 residency close November 1, 2026, with a higher-fee window through November 15 and recommendation letters due November 30.
PhRMA Health Outcomes Starter Grant 2027
The PhRMA Foundation Health Outcomes Research Starter Grant, formally the Value Assessment and Health Outcomes Research Faculty Starter Grant, provides $100,000 for one year of independent faculty research on how healthcare interventions perform in real populations. Early promotion-eligible investigators at accredited US universities apply when the Faculty Starter portfolio is open, typically through ProposalCentral after a letter of intent. Eligibility mirrors other PhRMA faculty starters: at least three first-author publications, a faculty appointment after January 1, 2025, a terminal degree on or after January 1, 2017, and no substantial NIH R or K awards as principal investigator. The Foundation requires patient engagement in value assessment proposals and pays research costs to the university rather than salary for the PI. New Faculty Starter Grant applications were on a temporary hiatus while the portfolio was restructured; verify phrmafoundation.org before you prepare an LOI.
Seth Okin Good Deeds Scholarship 2026 - $1,000
The Seth Okin Good Deeds Scholarship awards $1,000 to one student who writes the strongest essay on how people should choose where to volunteer and donate. Maryland criminal defense attorney Seth Okin sponsors the contest nationwide for legal U.S. residents pursuing community college, undergraduate, graduate, law, or business programs. You need a 3.0 cumulative GPA, a resume that shows service, a current transcript, and a 500-word essay emailed to [email protected] by 30 November 2026. The firm screens essays for AI-generated text.
ICJS Short-Term Fellowship 2027 - Monticello
The Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello offers short-term research fellowships of one to three months in Charlottesville, Virginia. Scholars worldwide study Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, and the founding era with library access, staff support, and a required research forum. Domestic fellows receive $2,500 per month plus up to $2,000 travel; international fellows receive $3,000 per month with similar travel support. Apply by 1 October 2026 for 2027 residencies.
Maley/FTEE Teacher Scholarship 2027 - $500
The Maley/FTEE Teacher Professional Development Scholarship honors Dr. Donald Maley and supports technology and engineering teachers who are starting or continuing graduate study. The Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators and ITEEA administer the $500 award nationwide. You must be an ITEEA member and a technology or engineering teacher at any grade level. Self-nominations are welcome. Submit a nomination letter with graduate study plans, action research plans, and financial need, plus a resume, college transcript, and three recommendation letters by 1 November 2026. Nominees are notified by mid-November and recognized at the ITEEA Annual Conference.
Justice in Family Law Scholarship 2027 - $1,000
The Law Office of George J. Skuros Justice in Family Law Scholarship awards $1,000 to a US citizen enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or J.D. program for Spring 2027 who wants to improve family law practice and policy. Submit a 500-1,500 word PDF essay analyzing a recent family law reform with at least one citation, plus a transcript and contact details. You must be at least 18 with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Applications are due 30 November 2026; the winner is notified by 10 January 2027.
CCCTM Certification Grant 2026 - $255 AAACN
The AAACN CCCTM Certification Grant awards two grants of $255 each year to help American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing members pay the exam registration fee for Certified in Care Coordination and Transition Management (CCCTM) certification. You need at least two continuous years of AAACN membership, eligibility to sit for the exam in the United States, and a plan to become certified within one year of receiving the grant. Applicants describe how certification will benefit ambulatory care nursing and give back to AAACN. Apply online through AAACN; CareerOneStop lists a 15 November deadline for this grant. Note: ANCC now offers CCCTM renewal only for nurses who already hold the credential, so confirm you can still sit for initial certification before you apply.
Baldwin Aviation Management Scholarship 2027 - CAM
The Donald A. Baldwin Sr. Business Aviation Management Scholarship is an NBAA Charities award created in 2007 with the Baldwin family to help business aviation professionals pay for Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) exam costs. Funds historically covered the CAM application, study materials, and exam registration for candidates who already met NBAA''s CAM eligibility rules. Recipients were announced at the NBAA Leadership Conference while the program ran on the annual calendar. As of late 2026 the Baldwin name no longer appears on NBAA''s public scholarship roster, so confirm the current cycle at nbaa.org and ask [email protected] before applying.
Focused Driver Scholarship 2026 - $1,000 USA
The La Fratta Law Firm Focused Driver Scholarship 2026 awards $1,000 to one student who writes a 750-1,000 word essay on distracted driving and roadway safety. Michael La Fratta, a Charlottesville traffic attorney, sponsors the nationwide award for U.S. legal residents in high school, vocational programs, college, or graduate school with at least a 3.0 GPA. Submit your essay, resume, and transcript through the official form by 30 November 2026. Preference goes to applicants from or attending school in Virginia, but students in all 50 states and D.C. may apply.
Lichtman Community Service Scholarship 2027 - $1,000
The Law Offices of Jeffrey Lichtman Community Service Scholarship awards $1,000 to one student who started a community service project that tackled a real local problem. The New York criminal defense firm runs the contest nationwide for legal U.S. residents in vocational school, college, or graduate programs, plus high school seniors and GED holders headed to college. You need a 3.0 GPA, a 750-1,000 word essay about service you initiated, a resume, and a transcript or acceptance letter. Materials are due 30 March 2027 through the firm''s online form. Essays are screened for AI-generated text.
AGC Outstanding Educator Award 2027 - $5,000
The AGC Education and Research Foundation Outstanding Educator Award honors full-time faculty in accredited construction management or construction-related engineering programs who excel in teaching, mentoring, and industry engagement. The 2027 cycle accepts emailed or postmarked nominations through 15 November 2026. The winner receives $5,000, may designate two students for $2,500 scholarships, and attends the AGC Annual Convention as a Foundation guest.