AbbVie recently announced the launch of the company’s Crohn’s & Colitis Scholarship, a set of grants with the goal of providing financial support to outstanding students with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and helping them pursue higher education.
It is estimated that around 1.6 million Americans suffer from IBD, a condition characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and possible injury, resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss and fatigue. IBD symptoms can pose a major challenge for students to attend classes and pursue their academic goals.
“At AbbVie, we are focused on addressing the world’s most difficult health challenges through a comprehensive and responsible approach,” said Tracie Haas, vice president corporate responsibility, brand and communications at AbbVie in a press release. “Students living with inflammatory bowel disease face significant obstacles while they pursue higher education, and the AbbVie Crohn’s & Colitis Scholarship aims to empower students to achieve their educational goals.”
In total, AbbVie will select 15 students to receive a $15,000 scholarship each for the next school year (2016-2017). Students with IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are eligible to apply for the scholarships, and they should intend to pursue an associate, undergraduate or graduate degree on an accredited college or university in the United States, or an educational diploma from a trade school. The selection process will be based on the student’s academic excellence, community involvement, ability to be a positive role model within the IBD community, and a written response to an essay question. Of important note, applicants are not obliged to have taken, currently take or plan to take any product marketed by AbbVie.
Not eligible to apply for the scholarships are: AbbVie’s employees and their immediate family members, healthcare providers and their immediate family members, and patients contracted by AbbVie through the Patient Health Perspectives (“SPEAK Network”).
AbbVie Crohn’s & Colitis Scholarship is currently accepting applications. The application period will end on March 25, 2016. On April 29, 2016, the scholarship winners will be notified. To apply or to obtain more information concerning the application and eligibility criteria, please visit the link.