Scholarship Application
Each year, American Atheists awards two Founders' Scholarships and a scholarship recognizing LGBT activism. Application materials will be posted here in December 2013 or January 2014 for the scholarships to be awarded at the 2014 National Convention in Salt Lake City.
HOW ARE THE RECIPIENTS CHOSEN?
American Atheists is an organization of activists, so our scholarships are awarded based on activism. Qualified applicants must submit an entry form and any and all information or evidence they have of their activism for the previous year. Examples include:
- Letters printed in newspapers.
- Letter to politicians about key issues with the replies from those politicians.
- Letters of testimonials from teachers, friends, or other activists.
- Evidence that you sponsor an Atheist TV show, podcast, blog, etc.
- Student essays.
- Photos.
While all activism is important and considered, special attention is given to those students who show activism specifically in their schools, such as starting an atheist group or fighting against violations of the separation of church and state within their school.
Please note that merely writing an essay will not win you the scholarship. This is about activism, and your essay should be about your activism for the cause of atheist civil liberties, the separation of church and state, or presenting a positive view of atheism to the general public and your fellow students and faculty. Show proof: include clippings, printouts, copies of letters, etc. Writing well is important, but we will accept a poorly written essay about activism over a well-written essay about nothing any day.
Violent or vandalistic behavior is not tolerated and will result in immediate disqualification.
WHO DECIDES THE WINNERS?
The winners will be chosen by the Managing Director, the President, and/or the delegates they choose who are directors and/or officers of American Atheists.
HOW TO ENTER
Winners are chosen in February of each year. Keep an eye out for announcements for next year's scholarships.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
A scoring rubric is used to identify and assign points for evidence of activism as outlined above. American Atheists reserves the right to choose the recipients of the scholarships as we see fit. We also reserve the right to withdraw the scholarships after they are announced but before they are paid if we see substantial evidence of violent or otherwise undesirable behavior in the recipients. A runner-up may also be chosen in case the winners are deemed no longer worthy. Finally, while we will try to verify all claims made by applicants, we cannot and will not be held responsible if we are deceived in any way.