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2026 Youth Scholarship Applications are now open!

Youth Scholarships

NCIL is offering scholarships to attend our Annual Conference to youth with disabilities ages 18–26 who may otherwise be unable to afford the cost of attendance.

The 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living will take place July 20–23, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC.

Scholarships cover the costs associated with full participation in the conference, including registration, travel, and hotel accommodations.

The only requirements to apply are:

• Identifying as disabled or as a person with a disability (or disabilities); and
• Being between the ages of 18 and 26.

Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship

NCIL is also offering the Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship.

Emet Tauber was a former Youth Scholarship recipient and NCIL board member who passed away in 2019. Emet’s life was changed by the Youth Scholarship Fund, and he was passionate about enabling others to have the same opportunities. Therefore, the Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship will be awarded each year to at least one youth with a disability who is also trans and / or Jewish, in recognition of Emet’s activism within both communities.

If you would like to be considered for the Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship, follow the prompts on the application form under the “Emet Tauber Youth Scholarship” section.

How to Apply

Fill out the online application

The application deadline is June 12, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered. Scholarship recipients will be notified within one week of the deadline.

More Information

Read more about the conference

Please contact NCIL Operations Director Jenny Sichel at jenny@ncil.org with any questions.