Founded in 2012 by Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, Hilarity for Charity (HFC) is a national non-profit on a mission to care for families impacted by Alzheimer's disease, activate the next generation of advocates, and be a leader in brain health education and research. Storytelling is a powerful tool to help bring light to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. HFC's Humans of Dementia Storytelling Scholarship is open to high school and college students who have been impacted in some way by Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.
This scholarship focuses on storytelling as a tool to drive awareness and inspire change about Alzheimer's disease. By focusing on the person and not the disease, Humans of Dementia aims to bring light to and elevate the conversation around Alzheimer's disease so we can reduce the stigma and shame often surrounding loved ones living with the disease.
There are two categories: written and photo. HFC awards three scholarships in each category to high school and college students in the U.S. and Canada for a total of 12 awards.
Written Story-telling Guidelines:
In 750 words or less, use your storytelling skills to profile someone who has or had Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. Carve out time to conduct an interview or two. Record the conversations you have! This will allow you to more easily recall quotes and anecdotes -- just be sure to inform people that you're doing so!
Photo Story-telling Guidelines:
Your image(s) may encompass any angle/subject related to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia – living with the disease, caregiving, treatment, science, etc. This can be candid, portraiture, environmental portrait, documentary, double exposure, still-life (loved one's objects). You can submit color or black & white; film or digital; smartphone or camera.
You can submit up to three (3) single images. Entrants will be judged on a single image only. Still images only (no video or multi-media).
Think of someone in your life who had or still lives with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Who was the person you are profiling before the devastating effects of Alzheimer's or dementia took hold? This is your chance to tell their story or feature a compelling aspect of their life. In telling it, you will be joining a movement of people who are bringing light and awareness to this space. Together, we can bring light to Alzheimer's.
Scholarship Award Recipients must be (1) primary or secondary/high school students, (2) undergraduate or graduate students at a college or university who are pursuing studies or conducting research to meet the requirements for an academic or professional degree or (3) students – whether full-time or part-time –at an educational institution that provides an educational program acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s or higher degree, or offers a training program to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation, and is authorized under federal or state law to provide such a program and accredited by a national recognized accreditation agency. Scholarship Awards may be used in furtherance of educational, creative, or other personal endeavors.
