Are you a student living with a chronic inflammatory disease and pursuing higher education in the United States? The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship 2026 offers substantial financial support of up to $20,000 to exceptional students who refuse to let their health conditions define their academic journey. This renewable scholarship recognizes resilience, academic excellence, and community involvement among students managing immune-mediated conditions.
Living with a chronic illness while pursuing education presents unique challenges. Research shows that young adults with childhood-onset chronic illness have statistically lower rates of high school and college graduation. The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship was created to address this gap and empower students to achieve their personal and academic aspirations despite the daily battles they face. Since its inception in 2016, this scholarship has supported more than 400 undergraduate and graduate students across the United States.
Whether you are dealing with Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or any of the other qualifying inflammatory conditions, this scholarship could be your pathway to financial freedom in education. Read on to discover how you can apply for this life-changing opportunity.
About the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship is a prestigious financial aid program sponsored by AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming patients’ lives. The scholarship is administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship programs.
This scholarship was established in 2016 with a clear mission: to provide financial support for exceptional students living with inflammatory diseases who are pursuing higher education in the United States. Through this program, AbbVie extends its passion for patient care beyond medicine, empowering students to pursue degrees and lives not defined by their diseases.
Each year, AbbVie awards scholarships to 45 recipients, distributed equally among three therapeutic areas: dermatology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate resilience in managing their conditions while maintaining academic excellence and contributing positively to their communities.
What makes this scholarship particularly valuable is that it is not tied to any AbbVie products. Applicants do not need to have taken, currently take, or plan to take any medicine or product marketed by AbbVie. This is not a consideration in the recipient-selection process, making the scholarship accessible to all qualifying students regardless of their treatment choices.
AbbVie Immunology Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Detail | Information |
| Host Country | United States |
| Sponsoring Organization | AbbVie Inc. |
| Administrator | Scholarship America |
| Level of Study | Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD |
| Eligible Fields | All fields of study |
| Scholarship Amount | $10,000 (Associate) / $20,000 (Bachelor’s/Graduate) |
| Number of Awards | 45 scholarships annually |
| Eligibility | Students with qualifying inflammatory diseases |
| Application Opens | April 1, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | Typically late April/early May 2026 |
| Renewable | Yes, up to 3 additional years |
| Category | Medical Condition-Based / Need-Based Scholarship |
Benefits of the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship offers substantial financial benefits designed to ease the burden of educational expenses for students managing chronic inflammatory conditions.
Scholarship Award Amounts
The scholarship provides different award levels based on the degree being pursued:
- Associate Degree Students: $10,000 scholarship
- Bachelor’s Degree Students: $20,000 scholarship
- Master’s Degree Students: $20,000 scholarship
- PhD/Doctoral Students: $20,000 scholarship
Renewable Award
One of the most valuable aspects of this scholarship is its renewable nature. As of 2026, awards are renewable for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s or graduate degree is earned, whichever occurs first. This means a bachelor’s degree student could potentially receive up to $80,000 over four years of study.
To maintain renewal eligibility, recipients must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
- Remain enrolled full-time at an accredited institution
- Continue to demonstrate integrity of character
Additional Benefits
- Awards are paid directly to the educational institution
- No obligation to AbbVie after receiving the scholarship
- Recognition as part of a community of scholars living with immune-mediated conditions
- Opportunity to serve as a role model for others in the immunology community
Payment Schedule
Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of AbbVie. Awards are paid in one installment in August, made payable directly to the recipient’s institution.
Eligibility Criteria for AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
To be considered for the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Citizenship and Residency
- Must be a U.S. citizen OR a legal permanent resident of the United States
Medical Diagnosis
Applicants must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with one of the following inflammatory diseases:
Dermatology Conditions:
- Atopic Dermatitis (AD)
- Psoriasis (Ps)
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)
Gastroenterology Conditions:
- Crohn’s Disease (CD)
- Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Rheumatology Conditions:
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
- Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis (jPsA)
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Uveitis (UV)
- Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
If diagnosed with more than one qualifying condition, applicants should select the most relevant disease for their application.
Educational Requirements
- Must be a current high school senior, high school graduate, or current postsecondary student
- Must have completed high school or obtained a GED certificate
- Must plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate or graduate study for the entire 2026-2027 academic year
- Must attend an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the United States
Degree Programs
Eligible degree programs include:
- Certificate programs
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- PhD/Doctoral Degree
Who Cannot Apply
The following individuals are not eligible:
- Previous AbbVie scholarship recipients
- Employees of AbbVie or their immediate family members
- Healthcare providers or their immediate family members
- Patients contracted by AbbVie through Patient Health Perspectives
Required Documents for AbbVie Immunology Scholarship Application
When applying for the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship, you must prepare and submit the following documents:
Mandatory Documents
1. Official Transcript
- Must be a current, complete transcript of grades
- Grade reports are NOT accepted
- Transcript must display:
- Student name
- School name
- Grades for all courses
- Credit hours for each course
- Term in which each course was taken
2. Diagnosis Verification Form
- Must be downloaded from the official scholarship website
- Must be printed and completed by your healthcare professional
- Must confirm your diagnosis of one of the qualifying inflammatory diseases
- Must be signed by the healthcare professional
- Must be uploaded with your application by the deadline
3. Online Recommendation
- One recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf
- Must be completed by the recommender deadline (typically mid-June)
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring their recommender submits on time
- Recommenders receive additional time after the application deadline
4. Essay Response
- Must answer one of three essay prompts provided in the application
- Should demonstrate your experience living with an inflammatory disease
- Should showcase your community involvement and role as a positive influence
Optional Documents
- SAT or ACT test scores (not required but can be included)
- Short answer responses about scholarship impact and disease experience
Important Notes
- All documents must be submitted electronically
- Your application is NOT complete unless all required materials are submitted
- No exceptions are made for incomplete applications
Application Timeline for AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
Understanding the timeline is crucial for a successful application. Here are the key dates for the 2026-2027 scholarship cycle:
| Event | Expected Date |
| Application Opens | April 1, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | Late April/Early May 2026 |
| Recommendation Deadline | June 15, 2026 |
| Applicant Status Notification | By June 2, 2026 |
| Recipient Notification | Week of July 7, 2026 |
| Scholarship Payment | August 2026 |
Important Timeline Notes
- The application period typically runs for approximately 4-6 weeks
- Recommenders have additional time after the application deadline to submit their letters
- All applicants will be notified of their status, whether selected or not
- Communication occurs through the email address and mobile number provided in the application
- Sign up for notifications on the official website to be alerted when applications open
How to Apply for the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
Follow these detailed steps to submit your application successfully:
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
Before beginning your application, confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Diagnosed with a qualifying inflammatory disease
- Planning to enroll full-time at an accredited U.S. institution
- Not a previous recipient or ineligible individual
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Prepare all necessary materials before starting your application:
- Request your official transcript from your school
- Download and have your healthcare provider complete the Diagnosis Verification Form
- Identify someone to write your recommendation letter
Step 3: Create Your Account
Visit Scholarship America’s Student Hub or the official AbbVie Immunology Scholarship website to create an account and access the application portal.
Step 4: Complete the Application Form
Fill out all required sections of the online application, including:
- Personal information
- Educational background
- Disease/diagnosis information
- Community involvement and extracurricular activities
Step 5: Write Your Essay
Choose one of the three essay prompts and craft a compelling response:
Option 1: Discuss the challenges you face daily living with a chronic inflammatory disease and how your unique perspective helps you manage them. Share the most valuable lesson you have learned.
Option 2: Describe your support system and the role you have taken in your community. Explain why community involvement is important to you personally.
Option 3: Explain what you plan to do with your education and what aspects of your future excite you most.
Step 6: Upload Documents
Upload all required documents:
- Official transcript
- Completed Diagnosis Verification Form
- Any additional supporting materials
Step 7: Submit Recommendation Request
Send the online recommendation request to your chosen recommender. Ensure they understand the deadline and importance of timely submission.
Step 8: Review and Submit
Carefully review your entire application for accuracy and completeness before submitting. Your application is not complete until all materials are received.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Start early to avoid last-minute issues
- Be authentic in your essay responses
- Highlight your community involvement and leadership
- Demonstrate resilience and how you serve as a positive role model
- Do NOT mention specific medication or brand names in your application
- Follow up with your recommender to ensure timely submission
- Keep copies of all submitted documents
FAQs about the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
Who is eligible for the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship?
U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have been diagnosed with a qualifying inflammatory disease (such as Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, or others listed) and are planning to enroll full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university are eligible. Applicants must be high school seniors, graduates, or current postsecondary students pursuing a certificate or degree.
Do I need to use AbbVie products to be eligible?
No. It is not necessary for applicants to have taken, currently take, or plan to take any medicine or product marketed by AbbVie. This is explicitly not a consideration in the recipient-selection process. The scholarship is open to all qualifying students regardless of their treatment choices.
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
AbbVie awards 45 scholarships annually, distributed equally among three therapeutic areas: dermatology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology. This ensures representation across different types of inflammatory conditions.
Is the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship renewable?
Yes. As of 2026, awards are renewable for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s or graduate degree is earned, whichever comes first. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and remain enrolled full-time to qualify for renewal.
Can I reapply if I am not selected?
Yes. Applicants who do not receive a scholarship are allowed to reapply in following years, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
When will I be notified about my application status?
All applicants will be notified of their status by early June. Scholarship recipients will be notified in early July. Communication will occur through the email address and mobile number provided in the application.
Final Thoughts on the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship 2026 represents a meaningful opportunity for students living with chronic inflammatory diseases to receive substantial financial support for their education. With awards of up to $20,000 that are renewable for up to three additional years, this scholarship can significantly reduce the financial burden of pursuing higher education.
What makes this scholarship particularly special is its focus on recognizing the resilience and determination of students who manage their health conditions while excelling academically and contributing to their communities. Since 2016, more than 400 students have benefited from this program, proving that chronic illness does not have to be a barrier to educational success.
If you are living with one of the qualifying inflammatory diseases and are pursuing or planning to pursue higher education in the United States, we strongly encourage you to apply. Your unique experiences and perspective are valuable, and this scholarship could help you achieve your educational dreams without the added stress of financial burden.
Remember that the application process requires careful preparation, including obtaining a signed Diagnosis Verification Form from your healthcare provider and securing a strong recommendation letter. Start gathering your materials early and put your best effort into your essay to maximize your chances of selection.
Apply Now for the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
Applications open April 1, 2026. Do not miss this opportunity to receive up to $20,000 in renewable scholarship funding for your education.
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.abbvieimmunologyscholarship.com/
Scholarship America Portal: https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/abbvieimmunologyscholarship/
Contact: abbvieimmunology@scholarshipamerica.org | (507) 931-0651
Need Help With Your Application?
Applying for scholarships can be complex and competitive, especially when you are managing a chronic health condition. ScholyHub Consultancy offers expert support to help you succeed with:
- Application strategy and planning
- Essay writing and personal statement development
- Document preparation and review
- Recommendation letter guidance
Visit ScholyHub Consultants to request professional consultancy services and maximize your chances of success.
