The Mensa Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 scholarships. This year, the Foundation awarded 134 scholarships totaling $207,100 to gifted students selected from a pool of more than 30,000 applicants. Fewer than one-half of one percent of applicants received this recognition. The full list of recipients is available here.
The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program is one of the largest and longest-running scholarship programs dedicated specifically to gifted individuals. Open to students at any accredited American institution of higher learning, the program awards scholarships based on essays demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to using one’s abilities in service of others and the world. Recipients may use their awards toward any field of study.
“Out of more than 30,000 applicants, you are among the 134 selected as winners,” said National Scholarship Chair Mary Dwyer Wolfe. “Fewer than one-half of one percent of applicants received this award. Your hard work has paid off, and you have truly distinguished yourselves. Congratulations!”
This year’s awards reflect decades of sustained growth. Mary has been part of the program since 1986, serving first as Local Scholarship Chair in Georgia, then as Regional Scholarship Chair, and for more than 20 years as National Scholarship Chair. In that time, she has watched the program grow considerably. “I have personally seen the competition grow from around 40 to 50 awards to 134 scholarships worth $207,100 in 2026. The Foundation is deeply committed to this program and to the gifted individuals it serves.”
That commitment is made possible by a community of donors and volunteers who believe in investing in human potential. Many of the scholarships awarded this year are endowed, a testament to donors who have chosen to make a lasting impact on future generations of gifted students. Mary spoke directly to those who make it possible. “Without all the volunteers who served as scholarship chairs and judges through the years, and the donors who provided funds for these scholarships and in some cases endowed one or more scholarships, the Foundation Scholarship Program would not have been possible. Thank you so very much.”
This year’s recipients represent some of the brightest minds in the country. To see the full list of 2026 Mensa Foundation Scholarship recipients, click here.
The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program is one expression of the Foundation’s core mission to unleash intelligence for the benefit of humanity. To learn more or to support future recipients, visit [website link].
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