Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship

Funding Partner: Gilead Sciences (presenting partner)

Program Overview

Dedicated to continuing Pedro Zamora's legacy, this scholarship supports the school costs of young activists and non-profit changemakers who work in their communities and carry forward the torch in struggles for social and health justice.

Key Focus Areas:

• Public health and health justice
• HIV/AIDS research, prevention, treatment, access, and activism
• Reproductive health activism
• Peer education, prevention, and community resource programs
• Racial justice
• Immigrant rights
• LGBTQ+ equality and rights
• Reducing gun violence
• Environmental justice
• Drug policy and drug sentencing reform
• Employment and economic justice
• Housing and homelessness
• Technology innovation that supports justice work

Note: The scholarship is not exclusive to HIV/AIDS work and activism. Young activists working on progressive change-making in other areas of health or social justice are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

• Current or incoming undergraduate students (ages 27 and younger)
• Enrolled in a U.S. community college or four-year university
• Must be young activists and/or non-profit changemakers working in their communities
• Program strives for equity across all lines with increased outreach to HBCUs, HSIs, and LGBTQ+ student communities

Geographic Scope

• United States (must be enrolled in a U.S. institution)

Program History

Since 2009, more than $825,000 has been provided in financial support to 204 scholars through the generous support from Gilead Sciences and other partners.

Additional Benefit

AIDS Memorial Quilt Campus Display Program: For all Pedro Zamora Scholarship recipients, the National AIDS Memorial offers a free and optional AIDS Memorial Quilt Campus Display Program. Students can request to have a block of the Quilt (includes six Quilt panels) delivered and set up at their campus.

Application Process

1. Access Application Portal: Apply directly through the online application portal at aidsmemorial.org/pedro-zamora-scholarship
2. Required Materials:
   • Personal statement/essay (see plagiarism/AI detection note below)
   • Application Requirements documentation (available on website)
3. Important Notes on AI and Plagiarism:
   • Although ChatGPT and similar AI programs are valuable tools, they cannot replace a human voice
   • The application platform uses an AI & plagiarism detection tool designed to identify plagiarism and AI use in application essay responses
   • While applications will not be removed for AI usage, AI usage percentages will be noted in final decisions for awards
   • Applicants should provide as much of their own voice as possible
   • Unique talents, goals, values, and personality are what the selection committee is most interested in
4. Available Resources:
   • Program Fact Sheet
   • Application Requirements
   • Frequently Asked Questions
   • Video about the scholarship

Questions

For questions about the scholarship program, contact Steve Sagaser at ssagaser@aidsmemorial.org