Asbestos.com awards $5,000 in scholarships to students who bring awareness to asbestos-related cancers.
The deadline for this scholarship has passed. Please check back next year for our next scholarship opportunity.
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WinnersEach Fall
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$3,0001st Place Scholarship
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$2,0002nd Place Scholarship
Rules & Requirements
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Essay TopicsAsbestos is a toxic mineral that causes mesothelioma, an often terminal cancer affecting more than 3,000 Americans annually. The topic you choose should bring light to the issues surrounding mesothelioma and help raise awareness about the disease, research, promising clinical trials, survivors and caregivers.
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Winning EntriesWe will publish the winning entries on our scholarship page and promote them exclusively on our social media accounts.
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Scholarship PaymentOne-time payment will be sent directly to the winners’ schools.
Requirements
- Any undergraduate and graduate students
- 18 years and older
- Enrolled full-time in U.S. institution
- Essay must be between 750 and 1,500 words
- Two letters of recommendation
2025 Scholarship Winners
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1st Place: Carter Daly, Kent State UniversityCarter Daly is a construction management major at Kent State University with a concentration in safety management. Through his coursework and internships with Michels Power and RiverReach Construction, he has developed a strong commitment to improving workplace safety and sustainability in the construction industry. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in project management, where he can advocate for safer building practices, proper handling of hazardous materials and stronger compliance with safety standards. His ultimate goal is to help protect construction workers and communities from preventable risks like asbestos exposure. -
2nd Place: James Coon, Western Governors UniversityJames Coon is pursuing a degree in business and human resources at Western Governors University. After graduation, he plans to apply his education and experience in the Air Force and corporate environments to build a career in human resources management. His goal is to create workplaces that prioritize employee growth, well-being and ethical leadership, while contributing to long-term organizational success. He is passionate about helping others reach their full potential and hopes to make a lasting, positive impact on employees and the communities he serves.
How to Apply
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Write Your EssayThe essay must explore the mesothelioma topics listed in the rules. Please keep the essay between 750 and 1,500 words. -
Submit Entry OnlineWhen you’ve finished your essay, please fill out the online application and include your essay, picture and letters of recommendation. -
Provide Proof of EnrollmentAsbestos.com will contact finalists and ask them to request their official college transcript from their school and mail it to us.
Selection Process and Winners
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How Will Winners Be Chosen?Our judges will evaluate essays on style, grammar, level of research and quality of content. They will then select the two submissions that best capture the essence of the essay topics.
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When Will Winners Be Announced?After the judges submit their recommendations and come to a decision, we will notify winners by email and phone by the end of September 2026.
What Are the Judges Looking For?
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Joe LahavAn essay writer who shows real knowledge about the subject based on facts and figures, not an opinion. -
Karen SelbyA personal story reflecting a family connection to mesothelioma or one that shows a promise in treatment. -
Missy MillerAn entry written from the heart, showing the human element of how asbestos affects the community.
