How much funding does Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program provide?

Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program provides $600 - $2,500 per award; over $150,000 distributed annually across ~200 students in funding.

When is the deadline for Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program

MENSA EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Foundation Annual Grants for Education

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Funding Amount

$600 - $2,500 per award; over $150,000 distributed annually across ~200 students

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program

Status: Active, ongoing since 1973

Geographic Scope: United States and international (awards given to both Mensa members and non-members)

Focus Areas: College-bound students at all levels (freshman undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates); no major restrictions on field of study, though some named scholarships target specific fields (nursing, STEM, information technology, military veterans, etc.)

Key Features:

Unique Application Requirement: Brief essay (550 words or fewer) on career goals and what the applicant has already done to achieve those goals

Selection Criteria: Winners selected solely on essay merit; judged by 400+ volunteer Mensans at local, regional, and national levels using standardized scoring criteria

Award Range: Typically $600–$2,500 per scholarship

Annual Distribution: Over $150,000 awarded each year to approximately 200 students

Eligibility: Open to both Mensa members and non-members; good for any educational level

Restrictions: Essays must demonstrate commitment and action toward stated goals, not merely aspirations

Named Scholarships Include:

Karen Cooper Scholarship ($600)

Diana Mossip Scholarship ($600)

Harper Fowley Scholarship for Isolated Mensans (for non-Local Group members)

Charlotte Duggar Memorial Nursing Scholarship (requires nursing license)

4 Paws and a Tail Scholarship

Gen Y SIG Scholarship

Bob and Mary Ann Cox Scholarship ($500; for students out of formal education 6+ years)

Don and Virginia Prince Scholarship ($600; military veterans or spouses)

Mark J. Glancey and John G. Gray LGBT Scholarship ($1,000)

STEM Scholarship ($2,000)

Carol Martinez Scholarship ($2,500; information technology)

Jane Gmur Memorial Scholarship ($2,500)

Phyllis Miller Memorial Scholarship ($2,500)

McGrew-Fruecht Scholarship

Endowed Scholarships: Donors may establish named, endowed scholarships in perpetuity with custom eligibility rules

Contact Information:

Phone: (817) 607-5577 or (817) 649-5232

Email: info@mensafoundation.org

Philanthropy Director: John Thompson

Address: Mensa Foundation, 1315 Brookside Dr., Hurst, TX 76053

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Essay Submission: Write a brief essay (550 words or fewer) addressing the following:
- Your career goals
- What you have already done to work toward those goals (concrete actions and commitments)

2. Submission Method: Essays are submitted via email and evaluated during the judging period (typically January 15 – late February)

3. Judging Process:
- Essays are evaluated by volunteer judges (400+ Mensans) at local, regional, and national levels
- All judges use identical scoring criteria and evaluation standards
- Judges receive packets of ~50 essays with scoring sheets and instructions
- Judges have a few days to score and return results via email

4. Selection: Winners selected based entirely on essay quality and demonstration of commitment to stated goals

5. Notification & Award: Selected recipients are notified and funds awarded for educational expenses (tuition, books, fees, etc.)

Required Materials:

Essay (550 words maximum)

Proof of enrollment or acceptance to accredited institution (for some scholarships)

Verification of field of study or status (e.g., nursing license for nursing scholarships, military service verification for veteran scholarships)

Timing: Judging window is approximately January 15 – late February each year; awards typically announced in spring/summer

Volunteer Opportunity: The Foundation recruits essay judges annually. Interested volunteers should contact volunteers@mensafoundation.org to sign up.

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