supporting the next generation of leaders who carry pedro’s torch for health and social justice.
APPLICATIONS FOR 2023/2024 ARE NOW CLOSED.
OUR APPLICATION WILL REOPEN ON MARCH 1, 2024.
The National AIDS Memorial invites interested young leaders to be part of this important program that is helping ensure Pedro’s activism and leadership continues to shape the future.
Dedicated to continuing the legacy of AIDS educator and activist Pedro Zamora, the Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship supports the academic pursuits of young activists working in their communities who carry Pedro’s torch forward in pursuit of a bold vision that never again will a community be harmed because of fear, silence, discrimination, or stigma.
This Scholarship celebrates and supports young people who are doing work inspired by (or similar to) the late health and social justice activist, Pedro Zamora, but it is not necessarily just about HIV/AIDS. If your work is changemaking in other areas of social justice and health justice, this scholarship is probably for you.
The scholarship is open to current or incoming undergraduate students (ages 27 and younger) enrolled in a U.S. community college or four-year university. Since 2009, nearly $500,000 has been provided in financial support to 129 scholars through the generous support from Gilead Sciences and other partners.
SEE OUR NEW VIDEO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PEDRO SCHOLARHIP
The application process for the fall 2023/spring 2024 school year are closed. Interested scholars will be able to apply directly through an online application accessible on this website. In the meantime, we hope you will watch our new video about the program. You can also learn more by viewing some of our available resources: Program Fact Sheet, Application Requirements, and Frequently Asked Questions.
Candidates must demonstrate how they are providing service and/or leadership in efforts to end HIV or help those living with it; fight against stigma, denial, racism, and hate; and how their studies, career plans or public service will contribute to advancing social justice.
SEE OUR SCHOLARS IN ACTION! watch this powerful conversation with dr. anthony fauci
For World AIDS Day 2021, some of our Pedro scholars were able to participate in a conversation about their work as future scientists, policy makers, activists, health and social justice advocates can make a difference for the next generation. The scholars were asked a series of questions by Dr. Anthony Fauci, gaining insights from young people about solutions to many issues we face today.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND PEDRO’S LEGACY
When Pedro Zamora began his journey on The Real World San Francisco in 1994, he had already been an active HIV/AIDS advocate and educator. At the age of 17, Pedro learned that he was a young man living with HIV and dedicated his life to raising awareness and educating his peers on what they needed to avoid infection. At the age of 22, Zamora captivated the nation with his openness, compassion, vitality, and charisma when he appeared on MTV’s The Real World 3: San Francisco in 1994 and spoke openly about his sexuality, status, and activism. Pedro’s work was tragically cut short when he died of an AIDS-related illness in 1994, the morning after the final episode of The Real World aired. Learn more.
