Cooley's Anemia Foundation Patient Incentive Awards
Offered by Cooley's Anemia Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Cooley's Anemia Foundation has spent decades funding thalassemia research and patient services, and its Patient Incentive Awards put money directly behind patients' education and career goals. The program is built to, in the foundation's words, inspire patients to further their education and to live positively with thalassemia.
Awards scale with the program you are pursuing: $2,000 for doctorate students, $1,500 for master's students, $1,000 for bachelor's students, $750 for associate degree students, and $500 for certificate programs lasting a year or longer (a $250 tier covers six-month certificate programs). Because the award is tied to enrollment rather than a competitive essay contest, every eligible applicant with complete paperwork has a real shot, and students can apply in successive years as they continue their studies.
Applicants document enrollment with an official bursar receipt and class registration for the fall 2026 or spring 2027 term and write a short 250-word essay about their goals. For a population managing regular transfusions and clinic schedules, the light application lift is a deliberate feature.
Eligibility
- Have a diagnosis of thalassemia major, thalassemia intermedia, beta thalassemia, hemoglobin H disease, or hemoglobin H constant spring
- Be registered as a patient with the Cooley's Anemia Foundation
- Be a permanent resident of the United States
- Be enrolled in a certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate program for fall 2026 and/or spring 2027
How To Apply
- Register with the Cooley's Anemia Foundation if you have not already
- Complete the 2026-2027 Patient Incentive Award application from the CAF website
- Gather your official bursar receipt, class registration, and a double-spaced, typed 250-word essay explaining your goals
- Submit the complete application so CAF receives it by February 5, 2027 — no extensions are granted
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I receive?
Amounts are set by program level: $2,000 for doctorate study, $1,500 for master's, $1,000 for bachelor's, $750 for associate degrees, $500 for certificate programs of a year or longer, and $250 for six-month certificate programs.
Do I need to write a long essay?
No. The application asks for a double-spaced, typed 250-word essay explaining your goals, along with proof of enrollment such as a bursar receipt and class registration.
Can I apply again next year?
Yes. The incentive awards run annually, and students entering or continuing their studies can apply each cycle they remain eligible.