Educational Incentive Awards for Children of Individuals with Thalassemia 2026-2027
The Cooley's Anemia Foundation is initiating an educational incentive award program for children of U.S. individuals with severe thalassemia to further their education and career goals. These awards will be given in March 2027 for students enrolled in the fall 2026 and/or spring 2027 semester(s). The total amount of funding for this program for the current 2026-2027 school year is $10,000.
Requirements:
¨ Applicant must be the child of a parent(s) diagnosed with one of the following forms of thalassemia: thalassemia major, thalassemia intermedia, e beta thalassemia, hemoglobin H disease, or hemoglobin H constant spring.
¨ The parent of the applicant who is a person with thalassemia must be registered with the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation. (If you are unsure of registration status, please get in touch with escott@thalassemia.org).
¨ Applicant must be a child of a citizen of the United States.
¨ Applicant must submit an official bursar receipt and a copy of a class registration for the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027. This must include all classes the applicant is currently enrolled in, as well as the cost for the semester.
¨ Applicant must submit a copy of the course requirements necessary for the certificate or degree sought as outlined by the institution.
¨ Applicant must submit a double-spaced, typed, 250-word essay explaining his/her goals. Include a brief description of the applicant, information on the educational program or degree sought, and future goals after completing the degree or program. If an applicant has applied previously, they cannot use the same essay as submitted in previous years; a new essay must be submitted.
¨ Please note the application must be submitted by the applicant (child of the patient), not the applicant’s parent.
Some suggested topic guidelines for the essay are listed below. Applicants are NOT required to use these topics; they are provided merely as a guide:
What is your major and why did you select it? What do you plan to do with this education after graduation? Have you interned in this field? If yes, tell us about your internship experience.
How has the fact that your parent(s) has thalassemia impacted your life? What lessons have you learned from your parent? What would you like people to know about living in a family influenced by thalassemia?
Do you volunteer for a cause/organization? What interests you about this cause? What do you do for the cause/organization? How has your volunteerism changed your views, goals, and ideas? How do you feel you can improve the organization?
The complete application (including essay and requested support material) must be received by the Cooley's Anemia Foundation by February 5, 2027.
PLEASE NOTE: No extensions will be granted. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS OR APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER FEBRUARY 5. 2027 WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
The Foundation will notify award recipients and disburse funds in March 2027.
Please note: It is the goal of The Cooley’s Anemia Foundation to fund all complete, eligible applications received by February 5, 2027. However, if the number of applicants exceeds the amount of funding available for these Incentive Awards, the Foundation reserves the right to make adjustments as necessary in the number of awards given and/or the level of funding for each successful applicant.
The incentive awards will be given out as follows:
¨ $1,000 will be awarded to students enrolled in Baccalaureate, Master's, or Doctorate programs. Patients may receive four undergraduate, two master's, and two doctorate-level awards over the course of their studies.
¨ $500 will be awarded to students entering or continuing full-time studies towards a two-year Associate degree, one-year certificate program, or 6-month certificate or vocational training program. These are limited to two per applicant over the course of his/her pursuit of a two-year Associate's degree, or one per applicant for a one-year or 6-month certificate or vocational training program.
Please note: the amount of your award cannot exceed the cost of your tuition or any full scholarships you may have received.
For more information, email escott@thalassemia.org.