AbbVie Accepting Scholarship Applications from Students with Cystic Fibrosis

AbbVie has opened applications for its 2018-2019 academic-year scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students with cystic fibrosis.

The program awards $3,000 to 40 students, based on their academic excellence, creativity and community service.

The 40 winners can also compete for a $25,000 special award in two categories — Thriving Undergraduate Student and Thriving Graduate Student — to help with education-related expenses. One winner will be selected in each category. The two recipients will be announced in the fall of 2018.

Thriving Student scholarships are based on a combination of academic achievement and creativity in application presentation. The winners are partially determined by public votes cast over a two-week period. That period will be announced later in the application process.

“Learning that I was the recipient of an AbbVie CF Scholarship was one of the most exciting moments of my life. Growing up with CF, I was surrounded by an incredible team of doctors, clinicians and nurses that worked to make sure that I was getting the best care possible,” Briana Hansen, who won the Thriving Undergraduate Student award in 2017, said in a press release. “Now, with the help of the AbbVie CF Scholarship, I’m pursuing a career as a physician assistant, so I can do my part to give back and help other patients in need.”

Hansen was diagnosed at 18 months old. Chronic illness inspired her to become a physician’s assistant.

“Because I’ve gotten such great care throughout my life — doctors, nurses, therapists — I want to be that person in someone else’s life and help others,” Hansen said in an interview with AbbVie.

“It’s amazing to witness the accomplishments that students with CF have achieved over the years. Together with the advances in modern medicine, these students are making incredible strides in their own lives, in their schools and in shaping a world in which living with cystic fibrosis doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goals,” said John Duffey, vice president of U.S. specialty at AbbVie. “AbbVie is proud to be part of such a strong community, and to continue in its support of these incredible students.”

Since the program’s start, AbbVie has awarded nearly $3 million in scholarships to over 1,000 students. The program was established more than two decades ago in recognition of the financial burden that many families living with CF face, as well as to acknowledge the achievements of students with the condition. Scholarship applicants do not need to have taken, currently take, or intend to take any AbbVie therapy.

The deadline for this year’s applications is May 9. Applications can be sent online or by downloading a form on the scholarships website, www.AbbVieCFScholarship.com.