Apply

The application period for the 2012 Bezos Scholars program ended February 3, 2012. Deadlines for next year's entries will be posted fall of 2012.

Below outlines the five-part application process for the Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute, including important application deadlines. We invite you to review the Eligibility requirements and Frequently Asked Questions as you dive in.

Important Application Dates

Specific application deadlines for 2012 Scholars are noted below. Please note: Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • February 3: Complete applications must be received by the Bezos Family Foundation via email, fax or mail. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • March 19: Finalists notified via email to schedule a required telephone interview with Bezos Scholars Program staff.
  • March 22-28: Telephone interviews for finalists.
  • April 11: Provisional acceptance of 12 finalists, contingent on the commitment of an Educator Scholar. Alternates and applicants will also be notified.
  • April 16: Student Scholar deadline to confirm/decline provisional acceptance.
  • April 16-May 1: Educator Scholars notified; required telephone conversations scheduled with Bezos Scholars Program staff.
  • May 1: Educator Scholar deadline to confirm/decline acceptance.
  • May 17: Final Student and Educator Scholars announced.
  • June 26-July 2: Bezos Scholars attend the 2012 Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, CO.


Five-part Application Process:

All of the substantive parts of the application have the option to be completed and submitted online (in addition to handwriting and mailing, scanning and emailing or faxing). Only Part II, Applicant Release Form, and Part V, School Transcript, require submission by fax, scan and email or mail. While all forms of the application will be treated equally, we prefer online whenever possible.

Part I: Student Scholar Application to be completed by YOU, the applicant

We recommend that you complete the Online Application Form. Before submitting your application online, download and print the Application (PDF) to help you prepare and edit your work as you cannot save and return to the form. Applicants are responsible for completing the application on deadline.

Part II: Applicant Release to be completed by YOU, the applicant

Applicant and parent/guardian signatures required. Download, print and complete the Release Form (PDF) and cover sheet. Either fax, scan and email or mail with signatures to the Bezos Family Foundation (address below). Applicants are responsible for completing the release on deadline.

Part III: Recommendations to be completed by your references

Two are required from teachers, mentors or community members. Provide your references with a link to the Online Recommendation Form or download the Recommendation Forms (PDF) and hand-deliver them to your two references.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that references have enough time to complete the recommendation forms on deadline.

Part IV (a & b):
a. Principal’s Report to be completed by your high school principal

Provide this link to your principal so he/she may complete the Online Principal's Report or download the Principal's Report (PDF) and hand-deliver it to your principal.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that principals have enough time to complete the Principal’s Report on deadline. Please note, the Principal’s Report includes a nomination form in part (b) of the report for an Educator Scholar.

b. Educator Scholar Nominee Profile to be completed by the Educator Scholar nominee (the principal or an educator nominated by the principal)

Complete the Online Educator Scholar Nominee Profile or download the PDF File.

Part V: School Transcript

Your guidance counselor mails, scans and emails, or faxes the transcript and Transcript Cover Sheet (PDF) directly from your school to the Bezos Family Foundation. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that guidance counselors have enough time to process a school transcript. The transcript does not need to be a sealed copy.

    Application Mailing Address

    Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute
    Bezos Family Foundation
    7683 Southeast 27th Street, Suite 224
    Mercer Island, WA 98040
    Tel: 206-275-2048
    Fax: 206-275-0935

     Email: scholars@bezosfamilyfoundation.org

Thank you! We look forward to reviewing your application. Feel free to direct any questions to scholars@bezosfamilyfoundation.org.