December 20, 2026
Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship in Cartooning
Direct application
$5,000
Eligibility
Major
Visual Performing Arts
Education level
Undergraduate
About this scholarship
Juniors or seniors at a four-year college in the United States, Canada, or Mexico may apply. An art major is not required.
The $5,000 Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship in Cartooning recognizes outstanding college cartoonists. The number of awards varies by year at the discretion of the National Cartoonists Society Foundation.
Complete the entry form and submit eight samples of your original cartooning artwork (copies only, not originals), noting any prior print or online publications.
The annual award was established in memory of Jay Kennedy, the late King Features comics editor, with support from the Hearst Foundation and King Features Syndicate.
Essay questions
What else to submit
- Completed official entry form
- Eight samples of original cartooning artwork (copies only; no originals)
- Documentation of print or online publication, if applicable
- 8 examples of your own cartooning artwork (copies only, no originals)
- Completed official entry form with applicant and college info
- Documentation of where work has been published (print or web), if applicable
- Faculty advisor name plus advisor email and phone number
- Must be a student at a 4-year college in the US, Canada, or Mexico
- Must be a junior or senior during the 2026-27 academic year
- Art major not required
- Submit as a single PDF emailed to ncsfprez@nationalcartoonists.com, or mail printed copies
- Deadline: December 20, 2025 (per the 2025-26 form; deadline renews annually)
- Provide faculty advisor name, email address, and phone number.
- Submit a single PDF by email or mail printed copies.
- Explain prior cartooning work and future cartooning plans.