Progress of Ideas Scholarship

The Progress of Ideas Scholarship is a merit-based award for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing fields related to social justice and economic equity. It provides a $5,000 award to assist with qualified education-related expenses and includes participation in enrichment programming throughout the tenure of the award. The program is administered by Scholarship America on behalf of the Progress and Poverty Institute.

Monetary scholarship award; enrichment programming for awardees.

Open to current undergraduate sophomores, juniors or seniors planning to pursue their initial bachelor’s degree and to students who will be enrolled in graduate school in Fall 2026, pursuing their initial master’s or Ph.D. degree, and enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. institution for the upcoming academic year; minimum 2.5 GPA; fields of study include economics, environmental science/studies, finance/real estate, history, geography, philosophy, political science, public administration/policy, sociology, urban analytics, or urban studies; relatives of Progress and Poverty Institute board members are ineligible.

Submit an application including transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and two essays describing educational goals and how they address societal issues; additional required materials as specified.