Davidson Fellows Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by Davidson Institute
About This Scholarship
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000 scholarships for a completed piece of significant work — in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature, music, philosophy, or an "Outside the Box" category for projects that fit nowhere else. It's a project competition, not a grades contest: the work itself carries the application, and two-person teams may enter.
Eligibility is age-based rather than grade-based. Applicants must be 18 or younger as of the deadline and U.S. citizens or permanent residents residing in the U.S. (or stationed overseas on active military duty); there's no minimum age. Winners must attend an awards ceremony with a parent or guardian.
The scholarship comes from the Davidson Institute, a Nevada-based nonprofit that supports gifted students 18 and under. Since the program began in 2001, it has awarded more than $8.2 million to 366 students — an average of roughly 15 fellows a year, which tells you how selective the bar for "significant work" is. The 2027 application opens in fall 2026, so serious candidates should be deep into their project well before the window opens.
Eligibility
- 18 years old or younger as of the application deadline (no minimum age)
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident residing in the U.S. (or U.S. military stationed overseas)
- Completed a significant piece of work in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, or Outside the Box
- Two-person teams are permitted; must attend the awards ceremony (in person or virtual)
How To Apply
- Review category requirements at davidsongifted.org and prepare your project materials, essays, and nominator forms
- Submit the full application when the 2027 cycle opens in fall 2026
- Finalists complete additional verification before Fellows are announced in late summer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a scholarship or a competition?
Both. You submit an already-completed body of work that experts judge at roughly the level of a college graduate; winners receive scholarship funds paid toward their education at an accredited institution.
Can middle schoolers really win?
Yes. There is no minimum age — Fellows have been as young as 12. The bar is the caliber of the work, not the grade level of the student.