Back-to-school season is here — and it always feels like a time that’s buzzing with energy and potential. We especially love this time of year because it means we get to introduce our new class of very-deserving 1,000 Dreams Scholarship Fund recipients for 2026!

As our flagship scholarship, this program helps support the dreams of talented young women by providing each winner with a $1,000 micro-grant. Winners often channel these funds into special conferences, exam and application fees, educational programs, textbooks, and more — anything that takes them one step closer to their goals!

Every year, we’re so inspired by our scholarship recipients — all of whom come to the table with a diverse range of educational and career aspirations.

Here’s a little more about this year’s 1,000 Dreams Scholarship Fund recipients:

• Afoma U. – Philander Smith University – “My dream is to build a career in technology that allows me to give back to girls who don’t always have the same opportunities I did.”
• Akua O. – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – “My dream is to become a renowned entrepreneur and content creator who uses technology, business, and storytelling to create meaningful opportunities for others.”
• Celise M. – Howard University – “My dream is to build a life defined by purpose, leadership, and impact.”
• Daira V. – Georgia Tech – “My dream is to become a bridge between technology and equity, building software that widens opportunity instead of gatekeeping it.”
• Fiolajesurera O. – American University – “My dream is to expand educational opportunities and empower underserved communities through international leadership, public service, and global development.”
• Husniya N. – Carnegie Mellon University – “My dream is to become a physician-scientist who pushes the boundaries of medicine while never losing sight of the people it serves.”
• Isabella T. – ​​Texas State University – “My dream is to become a physician specializing in general surgery.”
• Shamima A. – Babson College – “My dream is to build a successful career at the intersection of media, marketing, and fashion.”
• Rilyn R. – The College of William and Mary – “My dream is to study iInternational affairs, go to law school, and work in public service.”
• Zina Z. – The Pennsylvania State University – “My dream is to become a researcher and scholar in the field of human-computer interaction, with a focus on video games and player safety, particularly for vulnerable and underrepresented groups such as children and women.”

Representing a wide variety of backgrounds and career goals, these students are just as passionate about their dreams as they are about making a difference in their communities and beyond.

If you’re curious how we select the winners each year, we rely on the members of our 1DF Student Advisory Board who review each and every application to help make our final funding decision. 

Not only does our student committee consider academic, personal achievements and financial need, but they also focus on the career goals of the applicants and how our funds can help them get one big step closer to it.

From everyone at 1,000 Dreams Fund, a big CONGRATS to our winners!