APIA Scholars Monthly Newsletter
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Career Development Fund
Career Development Fund Application
Career Development Funds are available to current and former APIA Scholarship recipients. Career Development Funds support scholars who are pursuing an internship, research opportunity, or other career development opportunity during Summer 2026.
Please review our eligibility criteria below before applying.
About the Career Development Fund
APIA Scholars is pleased to offer the Career Development Fund to current or recent APIA Scholarship recipients who are seeking an undergraduate degree at a U.S.-accredited college or university. The CDF is designed to help remove cost-related obstacles and expand access to professional growth.
Application opening soon! Sign up here to receive notifications.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our team at connect@apiascholars.org.
Application Dates
Applications Open: February 3rd, 2026
Applications Close: February 24th, 2026
Final Decisions: April 2026
Disbursements: May 2026
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Career Development Fund, you must:
- Be a current or former APIA Scholarship or AANAPISI Scholarship recipient.
- Be a current degree seeking undergraduate student at an U.S. accredited college or university (full time or part time).
- Students applying outside the academic year must be planning to reenroll in an undergraduate degree program for the upcoming semester.
- Must be pursuing OR have a confirmed career development opportunity at the time of application: This might include a paid or an unpaid internship/fellowship, an internship/ Fellowship which requires relocation, a career-related service project, a research opportunity, etc.
- Must have a direct financial constraint or need the grant will cover. This might include but not be limited to basic living needs, housing support, travel assistance, etc.
Eligible Categories for Funding:
Students can request up to $2,500 to help with the following:
- Housing and Utilities
- Transportation/Relocation Assistance
- Food Assistance
- Workplace Attire
- Health Insurance
- Child/Dependent Care
- Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CDF funding for Study Abroad Programs?
Traditional study abroad programs that consist only of academic coursework at a college or university are not eligible for Career Development Fund support. However, programs abroad may be considered if they include an obvious experiential learning component that is central to the program.
Examples of experiential learning include, but are not limited to, guided research, internships, or service projects.
Can I use CDF funding for my summer job?
The Career Development Fund does not provide funding for regular, ongoing, or long-term employment. Support is limited to short-term opportunities that are clearly tied to career development, such as internships, research projects, professional conferences, or other structured experiences with defined start and end dates.
What does the application process look like?
Students are required to complete an initial online application providing basic information, short answers on personal and professional goals, a brief statement of need, and estimates of anticipated summer expenses.
- If accepted as a semi-finalist, students will be required to complete a form about their confirmed professional development opportunity, and the amounts they are requesting, along with supporting documentation.
- If selected as a semi-finalist, students will be required to provide documentation of acceptance into a qualifying program and documentation of all anticipated expenses to be covered by APIA Scholars (not including food assistance).
What documentation do I need?
- If selected as a semi-finalist, students will be required to provide documentation of acceptance into a qualifying program and documentation of all anticipated expenses to be covered by APIA Scholars (not including food assistance).
What are the program expectations, if awarded?
- Receipts – Students approved for CDF funding will be required to provide financial receipts for all expenses paid with grant funds
- Experience Report Out – Upon completing their career development opportunity, students will be required to submit a one-page report on their experience, which will be shared with future scholars. Photos are optional but highly encouraged!
- Impact Survey – Students will also be encouraged to provide feedback regarding their experience applying for and receiving Career Development Funds via a short impact survey upon completing their opportunity.
When will I hear back about my application?
Students should expect to receive decisions about their application in April 2026.
Received a Career Development Fund award? Remember to submit your receipts for the categories and amounts you were approved for here:
