Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship
Created by Lo Carter of The Hag Doctor® Project, the Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship seeks to support and affirm alternative students pursuing higher education in STEM. This scholarship is founded on the belief that STEM fields are stronger, more innovative, and more compassionate when they reflect the full spectrum of human culture and community.
The Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship aims not only to reduce financial barriers, but also to stand as a visible affirmation —that alternative students and professionals bring value to their fields, that their presence is a force for change, and that the future of STEM is brighter with them in it.
Eligibility: Any undergraduate or graduate student pursuing STEM—including healthcare or mortuary sciences—who identifies as generally alternative or as part of an alternative subculture (including but not limited to: goth, punk, metal, emo, body-mod, occult etc.), and expresses that identity through their presentation (e.g., tattoos, piercings, alternative dress, etc.) is welcome to apply. Applicants should also be prepared to reflect meaningfully on how their identity and expression have shaped their journey in STEM, any challenges they've overcome, and the role they envision for themselves in the future of their field.
Three scholarship recipients will each receive a minimum award of $1,000. Final award amounts, pending ongoing fundraising, will be announced April 2026
Tell us your story: How has your alternative identity and presentation shaped your journey in STEM? What, if any, challenges have you faced and overcome, and how do you see yourself contributing to the future of your field?
Explore All Kinds of Scholarships for All Kinds of Students
FAQ
The application deadline is Apr 22, 2026. Winners will be announced on May 22, 2026.
Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.
Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on May 22, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
