Self-Advocate Scholarship Program

Introduction

The ANCOR Foundation is excited to share the Self-Advocate Scholarship Program! This program helps self-advocates go to ANCOR events. It gives people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) a chance to meet leaders, connect with others, and grow their advocacy skills.

The Self-Advocate Scholarship Program gives financial support to help self-advocates attend ANCOR events. It helps pay for important costs like travel, hotel, meals, and registration fees, making it easier to attend.

About the Scholarship

With this scholarship, you can:

Join workshops, sessions, and networking events.
Meet other advocates, leaders, and professionals in the I/DD field.
Learn new skills and ideas to become a stronger advocate.

If you get the scholarship, you will receive:

Free Registration: Access to all sessions and events.
Travel Stipend: Up to $500 to help with travel costs.
Hotel Stay: Up to three nights at the event hotel.
Meals: Money for meals, based on the federal per diem rate for the city, minus meals provided at the event.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship program, applicants must:

Identify as a self-advocate, or someone who has an intellectual and/or developmental disability and actively advocates for their own rights and the rights of others.
Be at least 18 years old.
Be available to attend the full event.
Not have received this scholarship in the last three years for any ANCOR event.

How to Apply

We are currently reviewing scholarship requests for ANCOR’s Policy Summit & Hill Day (September 8-9, 2025). Applicants must fill out the form below to complete their application. Applications are due by July 25, 2025.

Self-Advocate Scholarship Application

This form is for self-advocates who want to apply for a scholarship to attend an ANCOR event. The scholarship helps pay for things like travel, staying in a hotel, and meals.

Please fill out this form to tell us about yourself and why you want to go to the event. You might want or need someone to help you with the application. That’s okay! But please make sure the answers are your own.

If someone is helping you, you can add their contact information so they can get updates about your application too. This can help make sure nothing is missed.

If filling out the form is hard, you can instead email a video or audio recording to Sasha at [email protected]. In the recording, answer each question in the order it is listed on the form. This is a great way to share your answers in a way that works for you.

If you need help with this form, please contact Alli Strong-Martin at [email protected]. If you have questions, please contact Sasha Sencer at [email protected] or call/text 919-270-0773.

Full Legal Name(Required)

Preferred Name

Pronouns

(Like she/her, he/him, they/them.)

Phone Number(Required)

Email Address(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Is there an organization helping you with this application?(Required)

Yes

No

Is there a person helping you with this application? If yes, please share their information below.(Required)

Yes

No

Name of Person Helping You

First Last

Phone Number of Person Helping You

Email of Person Helping You

How do you speak up for yourself and others?(Required)

Tell us how you stand up for yourself and others in the I/DD community. (Examples: sharing what you need, helping others learn about the I/DD community, being part of advocacy groups.)

Why do you want to attend?(Required)

Please tell us why you want to go to the event. How will it help you as an advocate?

How are you involved with the I/DD community?(Required)

(Examples: taking on leadership roles, helping others, or joining advocacy groups.)

Do you need someone to attend the event with you for support?(Required)

Yes

No

If you answered yes to the last question, please explain what support they provide to help you.

Do you need any specific help or accommodations to attend the event? (Examples: sign language, wheelchair access, or help with reading materials.)(Required)

Please tell us why you need financial help to attend. How will this scholarship make a difference for you?(Required)

Community Support Letter (Optional)

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB.

If you have a letter from someone who knows about your advocacy work (like a friend, mentor, or organization), you can include it when you send in this application. This letter is optional.

Signature(Required)

First Last

Date(Required)