CRN Rainbow Scholarship 2026
Founded in 1996, the Chinese Rainbow Network (CRN) is the largest overseas Chinese sexual minority organization, established by international students in the United States. Our mission is to build a better Chinese sexual minority community. Based on this vision, a group of enthusiastic overseas Chinese initiated the "CRN Rainbow Scholarship" in 2016. It aims to motivate Chinese sexual minority students facing difficulties, and to support Chinese students worldwide who possess enterprising spirit and academic ability, and who have a certain understanding of and reflection on their LGBTQ+ identity. We encourage them to strive for self-improvement, complete their studies, and serve society.
From 2016 to 2026, the CRN Rainbow Scholarship has been successfully held for nine years, receiving nearly 1,300 applications and awarding 64 scholarships. The initial success of the CRN Scholarship has further strengthened our determination to pass on the spirit of community mutual aid and continue moving forward.
Now, applications for the 2026 CRN Rainbow Scholarship are officially open, welcoming Chinese LGBTQ+ students worldwide to apply. The scholarship offers 6 award slots, with each winner receiving a $1,000 USD scholarship. Whether you are studying in North America, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or anywhere else in the world, the "CRN Rainbow Scholarship" cordially invites your application. Welcome to share with us your unique growth experiences and academic stories. We look forward to awarding this year's 6 scholarship slots to you, who persevere.
All operating funds for the CRN Scholarship come from individual donations. As a non-political, non-religious, non-profit organization, we explicitly refuse any donations to the CRN Scholarship from government agencies, foundations, and religious organizations. To foster a closer connection between donors and award recipients, CRN as an organization does not directly execute the disbursement of the scholarship.
We will match the list of award recipients with donors based on donor backgrounds. The Scholarship Working Group will assist in ensuring direct communication and award presentation between donors and recipients. We look forward to creating a one-on-one mentorship and cooperative support relationship based on Chinese LGBTQ+ identity, allowing us to inspire each other and progress together on the path of growth. Through this approach, we hope to emphasize the essence of our project: a scholarship program originating from the community and initiated by a group of passionate international students. What we emphasize is not just financial support, but more importantly, the value of mutual aid and care among individuals in our community!
CRN Scholarship Charter (including the public disclosure of donor information for this year's scholarship)
Scholarship Setup
Six winners, $1,000 USD each
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must self-identify as LGBTQIA+ Chinese students, where "Chinese" refers to all individuals globally who self-identify as Chinese;
Applicants can currently be studying anywhere in the world, but must have plans to pursue further studies or exchanges outside mainland China in the future;
As of September 2026, applicants must be currently enrolled in or about to pursue an associate degree, undergraduate degree, or higher;
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), an average score of 80% or higher, or a class ranking in the top 30%, with standards relaxed at our discretion for special circumstances.
Application Deadline
December 15, 2026
Scholarship Evaluation
Scholarship Selection & Pre-selection: The CRN selection committee will complete the preliminary scholarship selection by the end of January 2027 and recommend 12 candidates to the final review committee. At the same time, we will begin sending application status letters in early February to students who were not selected. For applicants who reach the final round, an interview process will be included. We will carefully read your application materials and, in collaboration with the CRN Support Hotline project, provide advice and feedback to applicants, as well as introduce resources of interest to applicants on an individual basis.
Final Selection: The CRN Scholarship Final Review Committee will complete the scholarship selection work by early April 2027. We will ensure the maximum diversity of backgrounds among the members of the final review committee; CRN will notify applicants of the results by email in April of the following year.
Testimonials from Past Applicants
I have been excited ever since I saw the scholarship recruitment. I never expected that a topic and a group of people, which have always been impossible to discuss openly in the Chinese community, are being encouraged in this way overseas. To be honest, this inspires me more than any pride parade. Those parades belong to them, in their countries, and in their names; even though I was in the crowd, I didn't feel a strong sense of belonging. I am truly grateful for this event, which gives me the opportunity to connect with the Chinese LGBTQ+ community, and allows me to sit down and spend an hour reflecting on my journey of self-identity, self-discovery, self-acceptance, and courageously expressing love. Knowing where I came from helps me understand where I am going. Thank you to all the staff and active participants. I hope we can all always keep this sincerity and work together towards a beautiful future.
When I first learned about the CRN Rainbow Scholarship, the unique sense of belonging in my heart grew warmer, and the self-identity brought by my LGBTQ+ identity was further elevated at that moment. It represents not only a hard-won honor, but also highlights the solidarity and mutual support of our community, embodying the expectations of community members for the new generation and the beautiful hope of moving towards a bright future together. For years, my original intention to keep striving has been to give myself a louder voice when spreading diverse concepts, but it also includes the pursuit of being recognized by the community. Therefore, as a member of this community, I deeply yearn for this recognition, which can provide a warm source of light for my journey forward.
Applying for the CRN Rainbow Scholarship initially started with the hope of receiving financial assistance. However, while filling out the application, I felt that the act itself was an incredibly empowering experience. It seemed to carry a sense of self-recognition and affirmation of my own identity. Moreover, through this action, I felt I was, to some extent, contributing my own support and strength to the LGBTQ+ cause.
Ever since I learned about the Rainbow Scholarship, I have deeply felt that I am not alone, and that my confusion and hesitation are not unique. It has made me feel the support behind me and the excellence of the winners. It has inspired me even more to believe that in the future, I too can help guide those who come after me through their own times of hesitation, just like the awardees do.
The process of applying for this scholarship has allowed me to reflect on and re-examine my own identity, enabling me to present and affirm who I am with greater confidence. I deeply feel that our community not only cares for one another, but is also working together to build a better future for those who follow. This sense of belonging and support makes me realize that we are not alone, and that our stories and challenges are seen, understood, and supported by others.
FAQ
Scholarship FAQs
Q&A
Must the application materials be in English or Chinese?
Based on the principle of convenience for applicants, the application materials can be in either Chinese or English. You can also answer some questions in Chinese and others in English.
The applicant requirements mention that one 'must be an ethnic Chinese student.' Does this mean that if I am studying in Beijing and not an international student, I am not eligible to apply?
Not at all. By "Chinese," we mean individuals globally who self-identify as part of the Chinese nation. No matter what passport you hold or where in the world you go to school—Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Toronto, London, New York, Sydney, Singapore, etc.—you are welcome to apply!
I want to apply for the Rainbow Scholarship, but I haven't come out to my family, classmates, or colleagues yet. Can I still apply?
You do not need to be out of the closet to apply. As long as you self-identify as a Chinese student who belongs to the LGBTQIA+ gender identity/sexual orientation minority, you are eligible to apply.
The application form requires filling in the current school you are attending. I have been working for a few years, got an admission letter this year, and am preparing to return to school, but currently I am not enrolled anywhere. Can I still apply?
Of course! Regardless of whether you are currently in school, as long as you have received an admission offer and are preparing to enroll, you are eligible to apply for the CRN Rainbow Scholarship.
The applicant requirements mention that "experience in LGBTQ+ community service is a plus." Does this mean that applicants without such experience have no chance of receiving the CRN Scholarship?
That is not the case. Experience serving the LGBTQ+ community is only one aspect that CRN considers during the scholarship selection process. Some applicants excel in all areas but, due to various objective reasons, have not had the opportunity to participate in LGBTQ+ community activities; such applicants are equally eligible to apply for the CRN scholarship. We simply hope that you will discuss your understanding of and thoughts on the LGBTQ+ community in your personal statement. CRN especially hopes that as applicants embark on their student lives, they will also integrate into the CRN community, which represents the Chinese LGBTQ+ group.
Can someone who is not part of the LGBTQ+ community write the recommendation letter? Should it be in Chinese or English?
Both Chinese and English are acceptable. Recommendation letters do not have to be written by members of the LGBTQ+ community. The purpose of the recommendation letter is to provide an additional channel for CRN to better understand the applicant. CRN will comprehensively evaluate the applicant's qualifications when awarding scholarships, and the recommendation letter is just one part of this process. Recommenders can endorse the applicant from various perspectives based on the applicant's background; there is no specific standard.
I only attend a junior college, not a prestigious school in a big city, and my grades are not at the top of the class. Can I still apply?
Don't worry! As a diverse community, the CRN Rainbow Scholarship has rich and varied evaluation criteria, and every applicant has their own unique strengths. In addition, past recipients have ranged from community college students in mainland China to PhD candidates at prestigious overseas universities!
If applicants still have questions, can they contact the CRN Scholarship Team?
Of course. If applicants have any questions regarding the scholarship, they can contact us via email at scholarship@crn.ngo. A representative from the CRN Scholarship Team will reply as soon as possible.