Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Vegetarian Resource Group

Introduction
Thanks to generous anonymous donors, The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) provides $50,000 each year in college scholarships for U.S. high school seniors who have actively promoted veganism in their schools and/or communities. For clarity: vegetarians avoid meat, fish, and fowl; vegans additionally do not use animal products such as dairy or eggs.

Awards
- Total available in scholarships: $50,000.
- One $10,000 scholarship and six $5,000 scholarships will be awarded, with additional runner-up prizes possible.

NOTE: With support from additional donors, VRG also awarded $50,000 in college scholarships in 2025.

Who may apply (Eligibility)
- Only students graduating from U.S. high schools in SPRING 2026 may submit entries. Applications must be submitted by the student.

Deadline and submission timing
- Deadline: FEBRUARY 20, 2026.
- We will accept applications postmarked on or before FEBRUARY 20, 2026. Early submission is encouraged. (For reference, we received 280 applications in 2019.)

How winners are selected and payment
- Applicants will be evaluated on compassion, courage, and demonstrated commitment to advancing a peaceful world through a vegan diet/lifestyle.
- Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the winner’s college (U.S. institutions only).
- Winners must allow VRG to release their names to the media. Applications and essays become the property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. Finalists may be asked for additional information. Winners will be contacted by e-mail or telephone—please monitor your e-mail.

Apply — forms and where to send materials
- You can download a PDF application from the VRG website, but using that form is optional. A neatly typed document that includes all requested information is acceptable.
- Email applications and attachments to: vrg@vrg.org — put “Scholarship application” and your name in the subject line.
- Or mail to: The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.
- If emailing, place your essay in a separate attachment named with your first name and last initial. PDF or Word is preferred. If you submit a Google Doc, ensure sharing permissions allow reviewers to access it.

Questions? Call (410) 366-8343 or email vrg@vrg.org.

Required applicant information (include all; 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
- Colleges applied to / accepted at (if known)
- Anticipated college major
- Parents’ or guardians’ names
- Parents’ or guardians’ addresses (City, State, Zip)
- High school name and address (City, State, Zip)
- High school principal’s name
- Name of one high school teacher (for reference)
- People in the vegetarian/vegan movement who know you (include contact information)
- Extracurricular activities (describe)
- Favorite school subjects
- How you heard about the scholarship

Essay requirements (address every item below)
1. How you promoted veganism in your high school and/or community
2. Your successes
3. Your challenges
4. What you learned and what you would do differently
5. How you plan 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 and why you became vegetarian or vegan
12. Your definitions of “vegetarian” and “vegan”
13. Why vegetarianism and veganism are important to you
14. What else is important to you
15. Vegetarian foods you would recommend to a non-vegetarian
16. Restaurants you would recommend to a non-vegetarian

Supporting documents to attach
- Copies of transcripts or report cards for the past two years (official transcripts not required; photocopies are fine).
- Three or more letters of recommendation (at least one must be from a teacher).
- Documentation of your vegetarian/vegan outreach (photos, newspaper articles, flyers, event summaries, etc.).

Donations
If you wish to contribute toward additional scholarships or internships, please visit: www.vrg.org/donate

Privacy and ownership reminders
- By applying you agree that VRG may use your application materials and release winner names to the press. Applicants will be contacted if they are selected as finalists or winners.