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IAG Merit Scholarships

IAG 2026 Scholarship for Indiana High School Seniors

The Indiana Association for the Gifted will award three $2,000 scholarships to Indiana high school seniors in spring 2026. Applications will be accepted until March 27, 2026, with scholarship recipients announced in April.

IAG offers two scholarship options. Students may submit one application per year, so applicants should choose the scholarship that best aligns with their profile and experiences.

To learn more about each scholarship and to apply, please use the links below.

2026 IAG Merit for All Scholarship

IAG awards two merit-based scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each through the Merit for All Scholarship program. These scholarships are open to Indiana students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, engagement, and potential.

Number of Awards: Two
Award Amount: $2,000 each
Application Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026

IAG Merit for All Scholarship Application 


2026 IAG Additional Exceptionalities Scholarship

IAG awards one $2,000 merit scholarship to a high ability student who also has one or more documented additional exceptionalities. This scholarship recognizes students whose academic strengths coexist with other learning, behavioral, emotional, or physical challenges.

Eligible additional exceptionalities include, but are not limited to:

  • Specific Learning Disabilities (Reading Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia)

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (including Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Oppositional Defiance Disorder)

  • Physical Disabilities

Additional documentation may be required if an applicant is selected as a finalist for this scholarship.

Number of Awards: One
Award Amount: $2,000
Application Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026

IAG Additional Exceptionalities Scholarship Application

Requirements for All Scholarships

All applicants must submit the following materials through the online application system:

  • Completed online application

  • Uploaded digital reports or scanned copies of standardized measures of performance, including SAT, ACT, AP, or IB exam scores. Note: Only one ACT or SAT score submission is permitted. IAG does not superscore.

  • Uploaded copy of high school transcript

  • Contact information for one academic reference from an individual familiar with the student’s academic work.

  • One sample of graded written work.

  • One response to one of the three provided prompts, submitted as a written essay of 500–1,000 words.

Congrats to our 2026 IAG Scholarship Recipients!



Jany Zhang

Chesterton High School

"I plan to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology next year, where I intend to study neuroscience and computer science. Growing up in the small town of Chesterton, Indiana, I spent much of my time working alongside my parents in our family’s sushi restaurant. While my less-than-perfect knife skills have kept me out of the kitchen, I’ve enjoyed connecting with regular customers and meeting new people passing through town. What draws me most to neuroscience is its breadth. Bridging fields such as biochemistry, cognition, economics, and computer science, it allows me to explore connections across diverse disciplines. Throughout high school, I’ve shadowed local neurosurgeons, taken online neuroscience courses, presented at STEM outreach fairs, and created youth science programs. In college, I hope to use my understanding of neuroscience to expand STEM education. Outside the classroom, I enjoy running, whether on my school’s cross country and track teams or exploring wooded trails on my own. I also like spending time with friends, from watching movies to trying new foods, and I look forward to making new memories next year!"





Erika Zatorski

North Putnam High School

"I am a senior graduating from North Putnam High School who plans to attend Purdue University in the fall of 2026 as a Chemistry major. After receiving my Bachelor’s Degree, I wish to pursue a Doctoral education in pharmaceutical chemistry and study the inflammatory reactions of the body. I intend to work as a pharmaceutical chemist upon finishing my education and work towards discovering new medications and treatment options for people living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when I was seven years old and in my time fighting my disease I have had the privilege of working directly with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation: Indiana Chapter to improve the lives of patients living with Crohn’s and Colitis. I hope to continue to support my fellow patients through pharmaceutical advancements in my career. Some of the accomplishments I am most proud of include being named an Indiana Academic All-Star, receiving an internship with Eli Lilly for my Sophomore year of college, and being in remission with Crohn’s Disease after fighting it for eleven years." 




David Simpson

Columbus North High School

"One of my proudest accomplishments was earning the C4 Outstanding Engineering Student award. This is selected from a pool in my school and other nearby schools from around the county. It applies to students who are taking engineering classes, and was selected due to a combination of leadership, kindness, and knowledgeability. I am proud of this because I feel that it’s a larger reflection of myself, showing not only my technical skills, but my character as well. As for my future, I am committed and intend to attend Purdue University as a Trustees Scholarship recipient to study mechanical/aerospace engineering. I will be part of the John Martinson Honors College during my time at Purdue, and hope to explore external internships on breaks. I am hopeful that my time at Purdue will be the start for a long career of making positively impactful products and designs, and receiving scholarships like the IAG scholarship allows me to take this step."


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