For DonorsFor Applicants

Diabetes Impact Scholarship

Funded by
$2,000
1 winner$2,000
Open
Application Deadline
Oct 1, 2025
Winners Announced
Nov 1, 2025
Education Level
Undergraduate, Graduate
Eligibility Requirements
Education level:
Undergraduate or graduate student
Career path:
Medical, research and development, business, etc. Interest in helping people with diabetes or other autoimmune conditions.
Background:
Must currently have some form of diabetes (Type 1 or 2, MODY, LADA, 3C, Gestational, Neonatal, etc.)

Out of the approximately 2.3 million freshmen entering college each year, about 7,700 of them have Type 1 diabetes, meaning it affects approximately 1 in every 300 college students. 

The implications of a diabetes diagnosis include the constant monitoring of blood sugars, routine doctor’s appointments, and a constant cycle of managing highs and lows. While there has been enormous progress in diabetic management over the last 100 years, diabetics around the world still struggle to get the care they need.

That’s why representation matters. When people with diabetes go into the workforce, they are able to give back to others in the same situation by using empathy and understanding that others may not have. This scholarship will support a student with some form of diabetes who wants to help others with diabetes after they graduate. This could include, but is not limited to, students who aspire to be…

  • A medical professional that provides their patients with an empathetic and nuanced understanding of managing a chronic illness
  • A scientist studying potential treatments for diabetics
  • An inventor interested in developing new or improving existing medical devices  
  • An entrepreneur whose business ventures would benefit the specific needs of diabetics
  • A passionate lobbyist that advocates for medical care reform and the reduction in insulin costs

Undergraduate and graduate students with diabetes are encouraged to apply. To apply, write about what you plan to do in your chosen field to help others that have chronic autoimmune conditions.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published November 1, 2024
Essay Topic

Please tell us about what you plan to do in your chosen field to help others that have chronic autoimmune conditions.

400–600 words

Winning Application

Daniel Hogan
Mississippi State UniversityBiloxi, MS
I chose to study Biomedical Engineering at Mississippi State University because I want to pursue my dreams of helping others through the medical field. Since I was young, I set my future aspirations on a career that could help my community. Once I was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes, these future aspirations only became stronger. After my freshman year of college, I applied for a job at CAMP ASCCA (a camp for children and adults with disabilities). From this job, I was able to get some experience with working with others who had diabetes as well as other disabilities. Not only was working as a counselor an eye-opening experience, but it also gave me a glimpse on how I could apply working with these campers to a future in medicine. When the summer ended, I decided that I wanted to be involved more in the Mississippi State University community. I searched through all the student organizations to find one that can help others with diabetes, but no organization existed. At the beginning of my sophomore year at Mississippi State University, I founded the ‘Diabetes Care Association’. This student organization has a three-fold purpose. The first purpose is the spread Diabetes awareness to students at Mississippi State University. The second purpose is to help raise money for families who are struggling to afford diabetic necessities. Lastly, the third purpose is to help raise money for research programs that are working to find a cure for diabetes. Since November is ‘National Diabetes Awareness Month,’ my organization and I thought that it would be very fitting for an awareness event on the Mississippi State University campus. In November, my organization and I set up a tent on campus with facts about diabetes that people may not know. We also laid out a huge banner for people to sign and be involved in spreading Diabetes Awareness. Pictures of the event are on the organization’s website: https://www.diabetescaremsu.com/ . Thanks to the help for the community surrounding me, the Diabetes Care Association has 79 current members and hopes to grow more every year. I believe that each year my love for medicine grows as I continue my education as a Biomedical Engineer at Mississippi State University. Although I am leaning towards Cardiovascular surgery, I have not fully made up my mind on which medical practice I will make my career. New advancements in technology with prosthetics and chronic autoimmune conditions pull me towards an engineering medical career. However, ground-breaking surgeries and medical procedures pull me towards a more hands-on medical career. Whatever I decide in the future, I am certain that I will fulfill my purpose of helping others.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Oct 1, 2025. Winners will be announced on Nov 1, 2025.