Apply for the Girl Up Scholarship Fund

Girl Up Scholarship is intended to alleviate financial burdens of post-secondary education to members of the Girl Up Community; and support the success of students working to advance gender equality. In 2021, Girl Up will award $87,500 in scholarships ($2,500 to at least 35 recipients). 

Girls have a tremendous, often untapped power to change the world. Girl Up helps girls access their inner power to advance the skills, rights, and opportunities of girls everywhere. Now more than ever, we believe in the power of girls to make a difference – starting by supporting Girl Up members to pursue higher education to reduce gender gaps in fields like Storytelling, STEM, and sports (in 2021). 

Eligibility

The Girl Up Scholarship application is open to any self-identified girl or woman who satisfies the following eligibility criteria: 

• Applicants should be a Girl Up participant, event attendee, Club member, program participant, etc.
• To be considered, applicants must be enrolled in a 2-year, 4-year, or technical college to be considered.

Or is pursuing specific field in select categories: 

• Storytelling: pursuing storytelling/communications fields and/or related field; 
• Sports: pursuing athletics, sports-related field and/or plans to use sports as a platform for advocacy 
• STEM: pursuing science, technology, engineering, math and/or related field
• Has no familial relationship with a UN Foundation employee or other conflict-of-interest with the UN Foundation 

NOTE: The Girl Up Scholarships application is open to applicants of all nationalities.  

The scholarship application consists of? 

Four essays: 

Essay 1 

In 500 words or less, describe the community you grew up in and how it influenced you, your upbringing, values, experiences, and educational aspirations. What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

Essay 2 

In 250 words or less, describe how this scholarship will help advance your personal, professional and/or academic career goals? How can you increase gender equality through storytelling, STEM, or sports? 

Essay 3 

In 250 words or less, how have you advanced gender equality in your community? In what ways have you demonstrated your leadership potential through these activities? 

Essay 4

Storytelling Applicants: In 500 words or less, give an example of how you’re involved in storytelling (journalism, news broadcasting, poetry, etc.)? How have you used storytelling to make a change in your community? How have your storytelling experiences developed you as a leader? 

Sports Applicants; In 500 words or less, give an example of how you’re involved in sports (athlete, attendee, fan, etc.)? How have you used sports as a platform to make a change in your community? How have sports developed you as a leader? 

STEM Applicants; In 500 words or less, give an example of how you’re involved in STEM (area of study, club, work etc.). How have you used STEM as a platform to make a change in your community? How has STEM developed you as a leader? 

One video essay answering the following prompt: 

• Storytelling Applicants: In a 1-minute video, share what excites you about storytelling for social good. Why is it important for girls and women to share their stories and elevate their voices?  
• Sports Applicants: In a 1-minute video, share what excites you about sports and why the involvement of girls and women in sports is important. What would you say to persuade your younger self to continue pursuing sports? 
• In a 1-minute video, share what excites you about STEM and why the involvement of girls and women in STEM is important.

Evaluation of applications; 

• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality 
• Leadership potential 
• Community involvement and school activities 
• Educational and career goals and challenges 
• Past academic performance (e.g. GPA) 
• Applicant’s background (e.g. financial need, first-gen, DACA, disabilities, etc.) 
• Letter of recommendation from an instructor, mentor, etc. and not a family member 

Application Deadline: 17th May, 2021.

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