The New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Commemorative Commission will award 10 scholarships of $5,000 per student
Deadline: March 16, 2026 at 12 noon

The New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission is proud to offer 10 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 per student to current high school seniors who are New Jersey residents. The scholarships will be awarded based on review of application by the independent reviewers appointed by the Commission. The online application consists of three (3) essays on assigned topics:

• Applications must be submitted via online form.
• Only one(1) entry per student
• Funds are disbursed directly to schools/institutions
• TIP: Write essay in word processing program and then copy and paste finished essay into application.
• Check your word count! Essays must be 100 – 300 words only.

NOTE: Applicants selected for the final review will be required to email two (2) school and community service reference letters and an official high school transcript.

The on-line application portal will be open for submissions until 12PM Monday, March 16, 2026. See below for copy of the entry form questions for reference.

Applications must be submitted via online form – see below for link.

Applicants must respond to all 3 of the following questions with a 100 – 300 word essay:

1. How does the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspire you as you think about your future? (100-300 words)
2. Please tell us about your service to others during your high school years. (100-300 words)
3. In 1963 Dr. King gave his famous Freedom's Ring speech (aka I Have a Dream). In it he said
   “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
   This year, as we mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, what are your thoughts on Dr. King's words today? (100-300 words)

SCROLL DOWN TO APPLY NOW! Each answer must be between 100 – 300 words to be considered.

DOWNLOADS:

• MLK26 Scholarship contest flyer
• MLK26 Scholarship BW PrinterFriendly PDF
• Questions on MLK26 Scholarship contest entry form

The scholarships will be awarded based on review of application by the independent reviewers appointed by the Commission. Applications will only be accepted via online form.

• Only one (1) entry per student.
• Funds are disbursed directly to schools/institutions.
• TIP: Write all three essays in word processing program, then copy and paste finished essays into application.
• ESSAYS MUST BE BETWEEN 100 – 300 WORDS ONLY.

Courtesy of the NJ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Commemorative Commission

• MLK26 Events flyer
• MLK26 NJ Events Details

African-Descended Communities in Relation to the American Revolution within the North-Atlantic Region
-- Dr. Richlyn Faye Goddard, Historian, and MLK Commissioner.

 

Black Agency, Participation, and Impact on the American Revolution.
Blacks were present at all the major battles in New Jersey, such as Trenton (1776), Princeton (1777), Fort Mercer (1777), Monmouth (1778), and Springfield (1780), as well as those elsewhere such as Saratoga (1777), Savannah (1779), and Yorktown (1781).

Enslaved men such as Oliver Cromwell in Burlington, Primus Still in Deptford, Isaac Murrey of Mannington, and Amos Fisher in Bridgeton were emancipated as a result of service in the Continental Army.

Read more
Black Agency, Participation, and Impact on the American Revolution
Bibliography of Resources

In the spring, the Commission’s annual scholarship contest attracted more than 400 entries from New Jersey high school students. Essays were submitted reflecting the significance of Rosa Parks’ refusal to move to the back of the bus which ignited the 381-day Montgomery AL bus boycott that brought about the desegregation of the state of Alabama’s bus service.

Scholarship recipients were chosen by an independent panel of readers based on their essays, school transcripts, participation in community service, and letters of recommendation. Scholarships in the amount of $5000 were awarded to ten outstanding high school seniors to continue their education at institutions.

 

The Children's March Videos:

Altanta History Center

History Channel

King and I:

New Jerseyans Reflect on the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in commemoration of his 90th Birthday

NJ Quotes on MLK