Each year, the Mensa Foundation gives away an average of $150,000 in scholarships throughout the United States and internationally.
Founded in 1971, the Mensa Education & Research Foundation is a philanthropic, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to the pursuit of excellence in human intelligence. The mission and strategic focus are directed at scholarships, education, and awards.
The Mensa Foundation gives scholarships; presents national and international awards in recognition of research, education, and practical achievement regarding giftedness, intelligence, and creativity; and publishes the Mensa Research Journal.
The Mensa Foundation also sponsors award-winning educational activities, including projects for gifted youth such as the Mensa for Kids website.
The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program
The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program awards more than $150,000 in assistance every year to college-bound students around the globe. Scholarships are awarded based solely on 550-word essays expressing applicants’ academic and professional goals and how their personal experiences will help them to accomplish those goals.
The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program accepts scholarship applications between September 15 and January 15 of the following year.
The Foundation accepts donations (to the Skinner HELL’s M’s Memorial Scholarship fund) year-round.
U.S. Scholarships
The U.S. scholarship program relies on approximately 450 dedicated volunteers around the country, with support from the Foundation’s office staff. U.S. applicants need not be Mensa members. However, college-bound Mensa members and their dependents may also be eligible for one of several $2,500 scholarships awarded each year through the Mensa Member Scholarship Program.
International Scholarships
The International Scholarship Program is open to international Mensans (other than American Mensa). One scholarship, which also includes dependents of international Mensa members, is for those attending college in the United States. The other scholarships are for international Mensans attending college other than in the U.S.