Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

Due to the generosity of anonymous donors, The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $50,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted veganism in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Vegans are vegetarians who do not use other animal products such as dairy or eggs.

One award of $10,000 and six awards of $5,000, and additional runner-up prizes will be given. Entries may only be sent by students graduating from high school in SPRING 2026

Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegan diet/lifestyle. Payment will be made to the student's college (U.S. based only). Winners of the scholarships give permission to release their names to the media. Applications and essays become property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. We may ask finalists for more information. Scholarship winners are contacted by e-mail or telephone. Please look at your e-mail.

Applications

Applicants are not required to use an application form. A neatly typed document containing the information below will also be accepted as a valid application.

I. When applying, please include the following:

(Use additional paper if necessary.)

• Name:
• Street address:
• City, State, Zip:
• Email address:
• Phone number:
• Date of birth:
• Date of expected graduation from high school:
• Grade average in high school:
• College(s) applied/accepted to (if known):
• Anticipated major in college:
• Parents' or Guardians' names:
• Parents' or Guardians' addresses:
• City, State, Zip:
• High school principal:
• Name of one high school teacher:
• Name of high school:
• Address of high school:
• City, State, Zip:
• People in the vegetarian/vegan movement, if any, who know you (Please include contact information):
• Extracurricular activities (please describe):
• Favorite subjects in school:
• How did you hear about the scholarship?

II. Please submit an essay addressing all of the following:

1. How you promoted veganism in your high school and/or community
2. Your successes
3. Your challenges
4. What you learned/what you would do different
5. How you expect to promote veganism in college and beyond
6. Your future goals
7. Your strengths
8. Your weaknesses
9. Your "perfect" life in five years
10. Why you should receive this scholarship
11. How you became vegetarian or vegan and why you are vegetarian or vegan
12. How you define vegetarian and vegan
13. Why vegetarianism and veganism is important to you
14. What else is important to you
15. What vegetarian foods you would recommend to a non-vegetarian
16. What restaurants you would recommend to a non-vegetarian

III. Please also attach:

1. A copy of your transcripts or report cards for the past two years. (An official copy is not necessary. Photocopies of your report cards will suffice.)
2. Three or more recommendation letters (including at least one teacher).
3. Any documentation related to your promotion of vegetarianism and veganism in high school and/or community including photographs, newspaper stories, etc.