Eye-Bank Young Ambassador Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by The Eye-Bank

Young Ambassador Scholarship — In Memory of Christopher Nordquist

Overview
The Eye-Bank presents the Young Ambassador Scholarship in memory of Christopher Nordquist to honor exceptional students and promote awareness of eye donation. Funded by private gifts made in Christopher’s name, the annual $3,000 scholarship supports an eligible student’s continuing education. Christopher was two years old when he passed away; his corneas were donated, and his story — shared by his mother, Andrea Nordquist — helped make him one of The Eye-Bank’s first Young Ambassadors. This scholarship aims to inspire young people to continue their education and to spread the life-changing message that many people can leave the priceless gift of sight through eye donation.

Eligibility and Requirements
To be considered, applicants must satisfy every item below:

- Residency: Live within The Eye-Bank’s service area — New York City, Long Island, or the lower Hudson Valley (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, or Orange counties).
- Age and enrollment: Be 25 years old or younger and enrolled for the current academic year (at the time of the application deadline) in a 2- or 4-year college or university, or an accredited trade or technical school.
- Application: Complete the online scholarship application by May 15, 2026.
- Use of funds: Intend to apply the award toward continuing education at an accredited college, university, or trade/technical certificate program.
- Educational/public service project: Plan and carry out a public education or service activity that promotes eye, organ, and tissue donation. The project must include information specifically about eye donation and be designed to inform others about donation and to encourage people to enroll in the NYS Donate Life Registry (examples: distributing brochures, presenting to a class or club, tabling, social media campaigns).
- Project report: Submit a brief, typewritten essay (1–2 pages, double-spaced) describing the project, including the outreach methods used (social media, in-person events, tabling), audience size or number of people reached, and attach photos or screenshots/social media posts that document your work.
- References and records: Provide two references from your current school (high school or college) and submit a current official transcript.
- For high school seniors: Include an acceptance letter from the college, university, or trade/technical school you plan to attend.

Additional Guidance
- Applicants are encouraged to prioritize social media strategies that motivate New Yorkers to enroll in the NYS Donate Life Registry via mobile or computer. If you want to track enrollments generated by your outreach, you may request a unique URL by emailing info@ebsr.org. That tracking URL will be active from the date assigned through May 15, 2026.
- You may consult and use The Eye-Bank’s website content and the promotional materials provided online for your project. The Eye-Bank can also be contacted in advance for ideas and guidance on project planning.

Contact
For the tracking URL or questions about project resources, email: info@ebsr.org

(Note: All deadlines, eligibility conditions, and documentation requirements above must be met for an application to be considered.)