Roothbert Fund Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by The Roothbert Fund
About This Scholarship
The Roothbert Fund is one of the most distinctive faith-adjacent scholarships in the country: rather than requiring membership in a particular denomination, it looks for students whose "daily actions are guided by spiritual values." Founded in 1958 by Albert and Toni Roothbert, the Fund has built a fellowship of scholars from every religious tradition — and none — united by a sense of spiritual purpose in their work and studies.
Grants typically range from $5,000 to $7,000 and may be renewed annually while a fellow continues in the same degree program, making the real value considerably larger. The Fund prefers graduate students and undergraduates who have completed at least one year of study, and gives preference to applicants who live in or attend school in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic corridor, where its required in-person interviews are held in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New Haven.
The application is more personal than most: three autobiographical essays, three letters of recommendation, a transcript, and — for finalists — an interview with the Scholarship Committee during March. Winners join an active fellowship that gathers for retreats and stays connected long after graduation.
Eligibility
- Able to demonstrate that daily actions are guided by spiritual values (no specific religious affiliation required)
- Preference for graduate students and undergraduates who have completed at least one year of college
- Preference for applicants residing or studying in CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV, or Washington, D.C.
- Available for a required interview (held in New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., or New Haven; virtual options considered case by case)
How To Apply
- Open the application portal on the Roothbert Fund site (applications accepted starting November 1)
- Submit the application form, three autobiographical essays, an official transcript, and three letters of recommendation by the February 1 deadline (11:59 p.m.)
- If selected as a finalist, attend an interview with the Scholarship Committee during March
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to belong to a specific religion to apply?
No. The Fund is non-denominational and welcomes applicants of every tradition. What matters is showing that spiritual values genuinely guide your daily life and work.
Is the scholarship renewable?
Yes. Grants of $5,000 to $7,000 may be renewed annually as long as you continue in the same degree program, so a multi-year award is possible.
Do I really have to interview in person?
Interviews are a required part of the process and are held in New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and New Haven. Virtual interviews are considered only case by case, which is why the Fund prefers applicants from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.