Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Vegetarian Resource Group

Overview
Thanks to the generosity of anonymous donors, The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) awards a total of $50,000 in college scholarships each year to U.S. high school seniors who have actively promoted veganism within their schools and/or local communities. A vegetarian does not eat meat, fish, or poultry; a vegan is a vegetarian who also avoids other animal products such as dairy and eggs.

Award amounts
- One scholarship of $10,000
- Six scholarships of $5,000 each
- Additional runner-up prizes

Eligibility
- Applicants must be graduating from high school in SPRING 2026.
- Applicants must be U.S. high school students.

Selection criteria
Applicants are evaluated for demonstrated compassion, courage, and a clear dedication to advancing a peaceful world through a vegan diet and lifestyle.

Payment and publicity
- Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the student’s college (U.S.-based institutions only).
- Winners agree to allow VRG to release their names to the media.
- Applications and submitted essays become the property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. VRG may request additional information from finalists. Winners will be notified by e-mail or phone—please monitor your e-mail.

How to apply
You do not have to use a specific form. A clearly typed document containing the required information (listed below) is acceptable.

I. Required applicant information (include each item; use extra pages if needed)
- Full name
- Street address
- City, State, ZIP
- Email address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Expected high school graduation date
- High school grade average (GPA)
- Colleges applied to / accepted at (if known)
- Intended college major
- Parents’ or guardians’ names
- Parents’ or guardians’ mailing address (City, State, ZIP)
- High school name
- High school address (City, State, ZIP)
- High school principal’s name
- Name of one high school teacher (for reference)
- Names and contact information for any people in the vegetarian/vegan movement who know you (if applicable)
- Description of extracurricular activities
- Favorite subjects in school
- How you learned about this scholarship

II. Essay (address all of the following)
1. How you have promoted veganism in your high school and/or community
2. Your successes in those efforts
3. Challenges you faced
4. What you learned and what you might do differently
5. How you plan to promote veganism in college and beyond
6. Your future goals
7. Your personal strengths
8. Your personal weaknesses
9. Your “perfect” life in five years
10. Why you deserve this scholarship
11. How and why you became vegetarian or vegan
12. Your definitions of “vegetarian” and “vegan”
13. Why vegetarianism and veganism matter to you
14. Other values or causes important to you
15. Vegetarian foods you would suggest to a non-vegetarian
16. Restaurants you would recommend to a non-vegetarian

III. Additional documents to attach
a. Copies of transcripts or report cards for the past two years (official copies not required; photocopies are acceptable).
b. Three or more letters of recommendation (at least one must be from a teacher).
c. Any supporting materials documenting your vegetarian/vegan promotion work (photographs, news clippings, flyers, etc.).

Final notes
- VRG may contact finalists for further details.
- Winners’ scholarship payments are made to U.S.-based colleges only.
- Please monitor your e-mail closely for communications from VRG.