NEHS is proud to announce a slate of awards, grants, and scholarship opportunities for student members, Chapter Advisors, chapters, and nonprofit community organizations this fall. We encourage all eligible participants to prepare early and submit their applications before the October 14 deadline.
Applications open on September 29, 2025, and close on October 14, 2025. Winners will be announced no later than November 10, 2025, with the exception of NEHS Scholarship winners, who will be announced on May 11, 2026.
Promotional posters for all awards and grants are available in PNG and PDF formats on the Calendar of Awards, Grants, & Scholarships page.
Opportunities for Student Members
NEHS Scholarships
Eligibility: NEHS student members in their senior year.
NEHS offers over $80,000 in scholarships annually to graduating high school seniors who are members of NEHS chapters. Students submit critical essays on Angie Cruz’s How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water and a short supplemental video response .
Poetry Writing & Performance Challenge
Eligibility: All NEHS student members.
This challenge invites NEHS student members to write an original poem inspired by Carol Ann Duffy’s The World’s Wife, adopting the perspective of a partner or companion of a famous figure, and to submit a high-quality performance video along with the text.
Convention Presentation Award
Eligibility: All NEHS student members.
The Convention Presentation Award invites NEHS student members to submit pairs of innovative presentation abstracts (based on Salvage the Bones and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) for a fully funded opportunity to present at the 2026 Annual Convention in New Orleans for two students and a Chapter Advisor.
Banned Books Artwork Award
Eligibility: All NEHS student members.
NEHS student members are invited to design an original poster for Banned Book Week featuring two banned books, one classic and one contemporary, that visually and thematically explores censorship and the freedom to read.
NEHS Poets Laureate Award
Eligibility: All NEHS student members.
The Poets Laureate Award selects four outstanding NEHS student members to serve as poetic voices for their local communities and the entire Society, embarking on a year‑long leadership journey in writing, public engagement, and mentorship.
Opportunities for Chapter Advisors
David Wendelin Classroom Library Grants
Eligibility: All Chapter Advisors who have not received a grant within the last two years.
The David Wendelin Classroom Library Grants award up to $400 to NEHS Chapter Advisors to build classroom libraries filled with diverse, high‑quality literature—particularly in schools where students face limited access to books. These grants honor the legacy of NEHS Emeritus Director David Wendelin and aim to foster literacy, inclusion, and a love of reading among underserved student populations.
Professional Support Grants
Eligibility: All Chapter Advisors who have not received a grant within the last two years.
NEHS offers Professional Support Grants to help Chapter Advisors attend conferences, workshops, seminars, or acquire professional texts and inclusive classroom resources that strengthen their expertise in English Language Arts and support their teaching practice.
Opportunities for NEHS Chapters
Chapter Project Grants
Eligibility: All active chapters.
NEHS Chapter Project Grants provide funding to active chapters for innovative, student‑led literacy and community service projects. These grants empower chapters to design and execute impactful initiatives that enhance literacy, foster social engagement, and strengthen community ties while demonstrating creativity and leadership.
Opportunities for Community Organizations
Literacy Initiative Grants
Eligibility: Nonprofits/Community Organizations close to the Annual Convention site (New Orleans, LA).
NEHS Literacy Initiative Grants provide financial support to nonprofit and community organizations dedicated to advancing literacy among children and young people. Currently, NEHS offers grants to organizations in or near the Annual Convention city (New Orleans, LA).
More from NEHSXpress: October 7, 2025
Join Us for the 2026 UK Literary Tour
2025 Banned Books Week Social Media Competition
EHS Webinar with Angie Cruz
NEHS Chapter Updates, Payments, and Merchandise
