In 2017, the OrigamiUSA Board of Directors approved a fund to pilot a scholarship program for young origami enthusiasts to attend the Pacific Coast Origami Convention (PCOC) 2017 in Redondo Beach, CA. After a very successful experience, we continued the scholarship program, funding two more young people to attend the Annual Convention 2018 at St. John’s University. Subsequently, with funds raised from generous members, scholarships were given in 2019 for both Annual Convention and PCOC, in 2020 for Annual Convention and in 2021 for both Annual Convention and PCOC. Due to COVID, none of the 2020 and 2021 conventions were held in person and therefore no recipients were able to attend a convention in person.
We paused our scholarship application process in 2022 so that we could catch up on inviting past recipients to attend the Annual Convention in person. Indeed, three past recipients were able to do so. We anticipate that we will be able to welcome the remaining past recipients to the 2023 Annual Convention and 2023 PCOC.
We are happy to report that we are reactivating the scholarship application process for 2023. We anticipate awarding two scholarships for Annual Convention in June in New York City, and two scholarships for PCOC in late October in San Francisco.
Nominations will open on March 1, 2023, and will close on April 5, 2023, 6:00 pm EDT. Award notifications will be sent in April.
Please direct any questions to scholarships [at] origamiusa.org (link sends e-mail)
Nomination Criteria
A nominee should be a young person who shows great promise as a folder and who would benefit from developing their skills and ideas by attending an origami convention. The nominee does not have to be a creator/designer. We value involvement in the origami community. Our main focus is their passion and potential.
- The nominee must be 18 years old or younger on December 31, 2023.
- The nominee can reside anywhere in the world. If a chosen nominee resides outside the United States, the recipient/family is responsible for passports and any required visas.
- The online nomination form must be completed and submitted by April 5, 2023, 6:00 pm EDT.
- The nomination must be approved by an adult Parent/Guardian by sending an email to scholarships [at] origamiusa.org by April 5, 2023, 6:00 pm EDT.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship benefits for each chosen nominee and a parent/guardian include:
- Convention fees for each chosen nominee.
- Convention housing and food for each chosen nominee and accompanying parent/guardian. Travel reimbursement allowance (including air) up to $500 for each chosen nominee and up to $500 for their accompanying parent/guardian.
- A one-year Junior Membership in OrigamiUSA.
Nomination Process
- You must be signed into a website account in order to make a nomination. Please login to your account or if you do not have one, please register for one.
We are thrilled that we can offer young, enthusiastic folders this opportunity. Let us know if you have any questions. If you have further questions, please feel free to email scholarships [at] origamiusa.org.