Diplomatic Perspective Mid-Atlantic Excellence Scholarship

The Diplomatic Perspective Mid-Atlantic Excellence Scholarship recognizes college students who attend an accredited college or university in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States or maintain a permanent home address within the region. The scholarship honors students who are making a meaningful difference in their communities and demonstrate a commitment to creating positive change in the world through their education, leadership, service, and future careers.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026

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Excellence

We recognize students who demonstrate academic commitment, personal growth, and a drive to make the most of their educational opportunities.

Impact

We celebrate students who are already making a difference through service, leadership, advocacy, mentorship, innovation, or meaningful involvement in their communities

Purpose

We invest in students who see their education as a pathway to purpose and are committed to leadership and global competencies to strengthen our nation’s workforce, and contribute to an increasingly interconnected world.

About

Students from all academic majors and fields of study are encouraged to apply. Applicants do not need to be pursuing a degree in international affairs, political science, diplomacy, or a related field. Diplomatic Perspective recognizes that addressing the challenges facing our communities, our nation, and the world requires talented and engaged professionals from a broad range of disciplines and experiences.

Eligibility Requirements

2026-2027

Scholarship

Requirements

To be considered for the Diplomatic Perspective Mid-Atlantic Excellence Scholarship, applicants must:

Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Be a United States citizen.
Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.
Be pursuing a degree in any academic major or field of study.
Demonstrate a record of positive impact, leadership, service, or meaningful involvement in their community.
Complete and submit the Diplomatic Perspective Scholarship Application by the published deadline.
Submit the required scholarship video responding to the official scholarship prompt.
Meet the scholarship's Mid-Atlantic geographic eligibility requirement described below.

Mid-Atlantic
Geographic
Eligibility

For purposes of this scholarship, the Mid-Atlantic region includes:

Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following geographic requirements:

Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university located within one of the eligible Mid-Atlantic states or Washington, D.C.; OR
Maintain a permanent home address within one of the eligible Mid-Atlantic states or Washington, D.C., regardless of where they currently attend college or university.

Applicants are not required to meet both conditions. For example, a Maryland resident attending college outside the Mid-Atlantic region remains eligible based on their permanent home address. Similarly, a student whose permanent home address is outside the region may qualify by attending an accredited college or university within the eligible Mid-Atlantic region.

What We Are

Looking For

The Mid-Atlantic Excellence Scholarship recognizes students whose accomplishments extend beyond the classroom. We are seeking applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others and who have a vision for how they will continue creating positive change in their communities, professions, and the world.

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

Community Impact — Evidence of meaningful contributions to their campus, neighborhood, organization, community, or another group they serve.
Leadership & Initiative — A demonstrated willingness to take action, address challenges, bring people together, create opportunities, or support others.
Vision for Positive Change — A clear and compelling vision for how the applicant intends to use their education, experiences, and future career to make a positive impact.
Academic Achievement — Demonstrated commitment to educational excellence and continued academic progress.
Scholarship Video — Authenticity, thoughtfulness, clarity, and strength of the applicant's response to the scholarship video prompt.

Community impact can take many forms. Applicants do not need to have founded an organization or held a formal leadership title to be competitive. Volunteer service, mentoring, advocacy, caregiving, campus involvement, community initiatives, entrepreneurship, research, creative projects, and other efforts that have positively affected others may all demonstrate meaningful impact.

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee a scholarship award. All eligible applications will undergo a competitive review process.*