Davidson Fellows Scholarship – $10K to $50K for Extraordinary Talent

🏅 Davidson Fellows Scholarship

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This is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the country — but it’s not about test scores. It’s for teens doing extraordinary, graduate-level work while still in high school.

Jump to: What They’re Looking For | Tips & Strategy | Improve Chances | How to Apply | Parent Tools | Sample Winner

📌 Quick Facts

Category Details
Award Amount $10,000–$50,000 (non-renewable)
Recipients 15–20 annually
Deadline Typically February
Eligibility U.S. citizens under age 18 as of application deadline
Extras Winners often invited to Washington D.C. reception
Age Group Must be under 18 as of the deadline
I asked the hard questions — who actually wins this? Is this worth our time? These pages are built to give you honest clarity, not false hope.

🎯 What Davidson Fellows Is Actually Looking For

This scholarship isn’t about GPA or class rank — it’s about truly exceptional talent in a specific area. Finalists have:

  • Invented biomedical devices
  • Written original mathematical proofs
  • Published neuroscience research
  • Composed award-winning symphonies

You’ll apply in one of the following categories: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, or Outside the Box.

📈 Tips & Strategy

  • Let the project shine: This isn’t a résumé award. Make your submission crystal clear, rigorous, and well-documented.
  • Get outside validation: Research mentors, competition awards, or publication help validate your work.
  • Explain why it matters: Every submission should include real-world relevance or innovation.

🚀 How to Improve Your Kid’s Chances

  • Find a mentor or expert who can review their work
  • Encourage them to document their process like a researcher
  • Record videos or summaries to explain their project in plain English
  • Use the summer or fall to strengthen their submission — it takes time

📎 How to Apply

Applications typically open in November and are due in February through the official Davidson Fellows portal.

Required Materials:

  • Project work (papers, videos, data, code, etc.)
  • Two nominator forms (from mentors or teachers)
  • Transcripts and résumé
  • Optional: standard test scores (not required)

🧰 Parent Tools

🗂️ Brag Sheet Builder
Help your student organize their impact in one place.
Build a Brag Sheet →

📘 Recommendation Request Toolkit
Prepares your student’s recommenders for success.
Use the Toolkit →

✍️ Essay Toolkit
Essays that reflect who they are — not just what they’ve done.
Read Essay Tips →

🌟 Could This Be Your Student?

Name: Sophie T.
Project: “A Novel Algorithm for Real-Time Forest Fire Detection Using Drone-Based Thermal Imaging”

Stats: GPA: 3.8 | Age: 17 | SAT: Not submitted

Why She Stood Out: Sophie developed her algorithm from scratch, tested it on drone footage, and published a white paper with a local environmental nonprofit. She worked with a local university lab and spent over a year refining her work.

*This is a fictional example based on real trends.*

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