AbbVie has started a new scholarship program to help outstanding students with rheumatologic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pursue higher education.
A total of 15 scholarships, each worth $15,000, are available for the current, 2016–17, academic year. Applications are being accepted online until April 4, and winners will be notified by April 29, 2016, the company said in a press release.
AbbVie Rheumatologic Scholarship winners are to be selected based on academic excellence, community involvement, written response to an essay question, and their capacity and willingness to serve as positive role models for the rheumatologic community. The awards are open to any students with rheumatologic disease — including RA, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or juvenile idiopathic arthritis — interested in a trade diploma or in an associate, undergraduate or graduate degree from any accredited U.S. trade school, college or university.
“At AbbVie, we go beyond the medicine by using our resources to improve healthcare and communities,” said Tracie Haas, company vice president, corporate social responsibility, brand and communications. “By introducing the AbbVie Rheumatology Scholarship, we hope to support those living with rheumatologic diseases today so that they can prepare to succeed tomorrow.”
Applicants do not need to have any connection with AbbVie, or be using any of its products or medicines, to be considered for a scholarship, the company said. RA is associated with high disability and medical costs, affecting both a person’s quality of life and ability to afford higher education.
Besides the rheumatology scholarhip, AbbVie also offers the AbbVie CF Scholarship, for students living with cystic fibrosis (CF), and started the AbbVie Crohn’s & Colitis Scholarship in December 2015 supporting those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
AbbVie is a research-based biopharmaceutical company founded in 2013, after it separated from Abbott Laboratories.
