James Dyson Foundation

Organization & Scholarship Description:
The James Dyson Foundation Innovator Scholarship is provided by Dyson’s philanthropic arm, the James Dyson Foundation, which aims to inspire young people to think differently, make mistakes, and unleash their problem-solving potential. The scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who are admitted to an accredited two or four-year college or university that are interested in pursuing a career or field in technology or innovation. The scholarship is an award for $10,000 over 4 years, $2,500 given each year to support university and college fees. The student(s) must be in good academic standing with a weighted GPA of 3.0+ to renew.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST APPLY VIA ACADEMIC WORKS ONLY
Need Help signing-in to Academic Works? Check out the Academic Works User Comprehension Guide for assistance with your application.

Please Note: Ensure you follow up with the counselors/teacher who you requested in your General Application and/or Supplemental Questions to submit a recommendation and/or transcript on your behalf.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Full-time high school senior, graduating in the Spring of 2024
  • Planning to attend a college, or university, as a full-time student in the Fall of 2024
  • Cumulative, grade point average of 3.00 or higher
  • Interest in pursuing a career/field in innovation and technology
  • Students must be enrolled in a high school in one of the following Network(s) 15,16, or 17. See below for a complete list.

Required Documents:

  • Official transcript*
  • Letters of Recommendations (Only 2)* One teacher recommendation and another from a counselor, community service manager, employer, etc. Recommendation letters from family members will not be accepted.
  • Provide work history (if applicable) as well as involvement in extra-curricular activities; community service, and awards and honors received.
  • Headshot (graduation photo or school day photos are acceptable)

Short Answer Questions

  • List the name of the university or college you plan to attend in fall 2024
  • What is your intended college major?
  • How do you plan to use the funds throughout your university/college enrollment?
  • Other Scholarships/Grants – Please provide scholarship name and scholarship award amount

Scholarship Essay: (minimum of 300 words) answering the following questions
A) Dyson and the James Dyson Foundation encourages young people to problem solve, be creative, and learn from their mistakes. Describe a situation when you faced an obstacle or adversity and overcame it.
B) What sparked your interest in innovation and technology? How do you plan to incorporate innovation and technology in your planned program of study?
C) Leadership experience is important. Tell me about your experience.
D) Aside from your college degree, what do you hope to gain from your college experience?

Network 14
*Amundsen HS

Network 15

  • ALCOTT HS
  • AUSTIN CCA HS
  • CLEMENTE HS
  • COLLINS HS
  • CRANE MEDICAL HS
  • CURIE HS
  • DOUGLASS HS
  • HANCOCK HS
  • INFINITY HS
  • JONES HS
  • JUAREZ HS
  • MANLEY HS
  • MARSHALL HS
  • MULTICULTURAL ARTS HS
  • NORTH-GRAND HS
  • OGDEN HS
  • ORR HS
  • PAYTON HS
  • PROSSER HS
  • RABY HS
  • SOCIAL JUSTICE HS
  • SOLORIO HS
  • WELLS HS
  • WESTINGHOUSE HS
  • WORLD LANGUAGE HS
  • YOUNG HS

Network 16

  • AIR FORCE HS
  • BOGAN HS
  • ENGLEWOOD STEM HS
  • FARRAGUT HS
  • GAGE PARK HS
  • GOODE HS
  • HUBBARD HS
  • JULIAN HS
  • KELLY HS
  • KENNEDY HS
  • LINDBLOM HS
  • MORGAN PARK HS
  • RICHARDS HS
  • SOUTHSIDE HS
  • SPRY HS
  • TILDEN HS

Network 17

  • BOWEN HS
  • BRONZEVILLE HS
  • CARVER MILITARY HS
  • CHICAGO MILITARY HS
  • CHICAGO VOCATIONAL HS
  • CORLISS HS
  • DUNBAR HS
  • DYETT ARTS HS
  • FENGER HS
  • HARLAN HS
  • HIRSCH HS
  • HYDE PARK HS
  • KENWOOD HS
  • KING HS
  • PHILLIPS HS
  • SIMEON HS
  • SOUTH SHORE INTL HS
  • WASHINGTON HS
  • WILLIAMS HS

Renewable:
2024 recipients enrolled in four-year programs have the opportunity to renew in 2025, 2026 and 2027. 2024 recipients enrolled in two-year programs have the opportunity to enroll in 2025. To be eligible for scholarship renewal, students must fulfill the following criteria:
- Must be enrolled in an accredited two or four-year university or college
- Must be in good standing with their accredited university or college
- Minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0
- Interest in pursuing a career/field in innovation and technology
Open to DREAMers: No

If there are questions regarding this scholarship, contact the Scholarship Provider via email at: “Samantha Kuderna, samantha.kuderna@dyson.com”
If there are questions regarding the application and/or submission process, contact CPS Scholarship Manager via email at: CollegeScholarships@cps.edu

Award
Maximum potential of $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year
Deadline
04/30/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. 1: Letter of recommendation from individuals with direct knowledge of the applicant's abilities, accomplishments, and potential. One teacher recommendation and/or from a counselor, community service manager, employer, etc. Recommendation letters from family members will not be accepted. Recommendations must be signed, and on school/organizational letterhead.
  2. 2 of 2: Letter of recommendation from individuals with direct knowledge of the applicant's abilities, accomplishments, and potential. One teacher recommendation and another from a counselor, community service manager, employer, etc. Recommendation letters from family members will not be accepted. Recommendations must be signed, and on school/organizational letterhead.
  3. Official Transcript Required
  4. An informational letter or statement describing: “Why you want to go to college and why you should be a recipient of the Howard M. Ruskin Scholarship”
  5. What is the adjusted gross income submitted on the most recent Federal Income Tax form for you (if applicable) and your parent(s)?
  6. Essay (3): Leadership experience is important. Tell me about your experience.
  7. Essay (1): Please describe any challenges you have faced as a result of your and/or your family's immigration status and how those challenges have helped you become a better student. Please also share your post-secondary plan and long-term goals like your career interests, and how this scholarship may benefit you. (Maximum 500 words.)
  8. You are required to list your work history (if applicable) as well as involvement in extra-curricular activities; community service, and awards and honors received.
  9. Upload an appropriate black/white OR color head-shot photograph
  10. List the name of the college you plan to attend in fall 2024
  11. What is your intended college major?
  12. How do you plan to use the funds throughout your university/college enrollment?
  13. Other Scholarships/Grants – Please provide scholarship name and scholarship award amount
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