Justin Burnell Memorial Scholarship
Justin Burnell was a beloved brother, an avid writer, and a staunch human rights advocate for all in the LGBTQ+ community.
Justin, his newlywed wife (Elyse Simone Mele), and their beloved dog (Ada) were tragically killed by a woman under the influence of methamphetamine just nine days after their New Orleans wedding. Justin was published in many magazines and wrote a novel that the family is working on publishing and making available to the world.
This scholarship aims to cherish the memory of Justin Burnell by supporting young and adult writers who share his passion.
Any LGBTQ+ high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who is pursuing creative writing or journalism, including adult learners, may apply for this scholarship opportunity.
To apply, tell us about yourself, the obstacles you have faced, and why you’re passionate about writing.
Please tell us about yourself and what challenges you have faced due to your identity. Why are you passionate about pursuing writing?
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FAQ
The application deadline is Mar 28, 2026. Winners will be announced on Apr 29, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Apr 29, 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 or future 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.
