Deadline in December 2026 Scholarships

Every scholarship on this page closes in December 2026, and most of them want an essay, which is exactly where students run out of time. Award Scholar matches you to the December 2026 deadlines you qualify for and drafts each essay in your voice, so you can get applications in before the window shuts.

• Japan Foundation, New York Doctoral Candidates

  Amount varies

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  To support outstanding scholars in the field of Japanese Studies by offering the opportunity to conduct research in Japan. Japanese studies. Applicants must hold nationality or lawful permanent resident status in countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan; Taiwanese applicants are eligible to apply only for scholars and researchers (long-term) or doctoral candidates; must secure all affiliation arrangements; must be in good health and proficient in either Japanese or English; must be able to stay continuously in Japan for the term of fellowship; previous recipients of Japan foundation fellowships (not only the Japanese studies fellowship but also all the other fellowships of the Japan Foundation) are eligible to reapply only if, on April 1, this year, a full three years has elapsed since the termination of their most recent fellowship; previous short-term (89 days or less) fellows are eligible to reapply only if, on April 1, current year, one full year has elapsed since the termination of their most recent fellowship; must be scholars or researchers in the natural sciences, medicine or engineering; undergraduates; master’s degree candidates; those intending to enroll in undergraduate or master’s courses at universities in Japan; or graduates intending to enroll in Ph.D. courses in Japan; those who primarily intend to enhance their Japanese-language ability or industry-related technical skills, to develop and/or produce Japanese-language teaching materials, or to acquire artistic training in the area of Japanese traditional culture (tea ceremony, flower arrangement, etc.);those who plan to receive other grants/scholarships/fellowships covering expenses for travel to and accommodation in Japan concurrently with the fellowship; those who will have been in Japan continuously for more than a year dating back from April 1, current year; those who apply for any other grant program of the Japan foundation, except for the JF-GJS fellowship, the JF-Nichibunken fellow

  No essay required

• ENA Foundation Seed Grants

  $500

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  To provide funding for research that will advance the specialized practice of emergency nursing. Nursing. Applicants must be a current ENA member. Selection will be based on the committee's criteria.

  No essay required

• Jonathan O. Davis Research Fellowship

  $2,500

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  To recognize Graduate Student Quaternary Science Research in the Great Basin. Earth sciences; Natural history. Applicants must be enrolled in a Masters or PhD program in the United States; Candidates must be conducting research relevant to Quaternary geology, geomorphology, or geoarchaeology of the Great Basin; Previous awardees in the same degree level (Masters or PhD) are ineligible for subsequent submissions. Selection will be based on the quality and relevance of the research proposal to Great Basin Quaternary studies, with preference given to projects demonstrating significant impact on understanding the region's geology and archaeology.

  No essay required

• JDBNOW Scholarship

  $1,000

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  To provide financial aid to students pursuing education in Business Administration. Business administration. Applicants must be U.S. citizens accepted to or currently attending a college or university in the United States and pursuing a degree in Business Administration.

  No essay required

• Barbara Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers

  $2,000

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  To offer scholarships for future high school physics teachers. Physics. Applicants must be U.S. citizens attending U.S. schools; undergraduate students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in physics teacher preparation curricula and high school seniors entering such programs are eligible; students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Teachers; applicants must declare their intent to prepare for, and engage in, a career in physics teaching at the high school level and must, at the time the scholarship funds are received by the student, be: an undergraduate student enrolled in an accredited two-year college, four-year college or a university; or a high school senior accepted for such enrollment; pursuing, or planning to pursue, a course of study leading toward a career in physics teaching in the high schools; showing promise of success in their studies, and a citizen of the United States of America. Selection will be based on AAPT Board of Directors.

  No essay required

• Ron Brown Scholar Program

  $40,000

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  The Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP) stands as a living tribute to the enduring legacy of Ronald H. Brown, championing a scholarship program devoted to guiding intellectually gifted African Americans with a commitment to community service. This selective scholarship initiative aims to facilitate higher education for those embodying the principles of public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship, and global citizenship.

  Essay written for you

• American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowships

  $70,000

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  The American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) support new investigators in research training programs to position them for independent careers in cancer research. As part of their evaluation, peer reviewers consider how well the fellowship will broaden the applicant’s research training and experience.

  Essay written for you

• Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Scholarship

  $500

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  To provide entering the Medical/Health Care profession. Education, Medical. Applicants must be living or attending a high school or college in San Diego County at the time of application; eligibility is contingent upon a student's financial need, scholastic determination, and community/cultural awareness; scholarship recipients may re-apply contingent on scholastic progress; requires an applicant to be entering the Medical/Health Care profession i.e; dental/medical assistant, nursing, physical therapist, or seeking their Bachelor of Science, Master's or Doctorate in the health field. Selected will be based on financial need, scholastic determination, community and cultural awareness.

  No essay required

• AISLS Dissertation Planning Grants

  $525

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  To enable students intending to do doctoral research in Sri Lanka to make a pre-dissertation visit to Sri Lanka to investigate the feasibility of their topic, to sharpen their research design, or to make other practical arrangements for future research. Humanities; Social sciences. Applicants must be enrolled at an American university, or they may be US citizens enrolled at a foreign university; applicants who are enrolled at a US university need not be American citizens; US citizens enrolled at a foreign university are also eligible; funds from the primary funder of the program, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US State Department, may only be used for awards for US citizens; applicants should have completed most of their graduate coursework by the time they take up their grant; the grant is especially intended for students who are in the process of completing their dissertation proposals and preparing applications for funds to support their dissertation research, but other purposes may be proposed; awards are normally for a period between six and eight weeks, and should normally be completed before May 1, next year. Selection will be judged on the quality and on the potential of the dissertation research to strengthen scholarship on Sri Lanka.

  No essay required

• Doris Y. and John J. Gerber Scholarship

  Amount varies

  Due Dec 1, 2026

  To support students in Washington state pursuing degrees related to business education. Business; Education. Applicants must be junior or senior standing; majoring in business education; nominated by an advisor who is a current dues paying member of Washington State Business Education Association (WSBEA). Selection will be based on statement of need; leadership; community service.

  No essay required