The Dr. Ben Tate Inspirational Scholarship is a memorial scholarship established in 2025 for aspiring high-school-age artists and/or writers. It carries with it the message, “I see you, and you will go on to do great things.”
Scholarship Details
- Administered by the Comics Appreciation Project Inc.
- Award amount is $1,000
- Supports high school artists and writers interested in comics and graphic novels
- Encourages original storytelling through both words and images
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a high school student in grades 9 through 12
- Must reside in Georgia or North Carolina
- Must demonstrate interest in comics or graphic novels through submitted materials
- Submitted work must be original and verified by a sponsoring school staff member
Application Process
- Write a short essay of up to 500 words explaining your interest in comics and graphic novels
- Submit 3 to 6 pieces of original comic-related artwork such as panels, pages, or storyboards
- Provide a 3 to 6 page comic script that corresponds to the submitted artwork and begins with a brief story synopsis
- Ensure the script includes panel descriptions, dialogue, and visual direction that matches the scene illustrated
- Provide contact information for a sponsoring teacher, staff member, media specialist, or librarian who can verify your work is original
- Submit all required materials according to the instructions provided in the application form
Artwork may include finished comic pages, sequential panels, or rough layouts and storyboards. Fully polished pages are not required, but the artwork should clearly reflect the scripted scene. Scripts do not need to follow industry standard formatting, but they should be clear and easy to follow, with panel descriptions, dialogue, and visual direction written for a collaborating artist. Check this site for samples of comic book scripts. Applicants are encouraged to select a scene that highlights the strengths of the comics medium, such as pacing, visual emphasis, dialogue, or emotional impact. The scene does not need to be the opening of the story.
