Dr. Martin D. Jenkins Award Application

Dr. Martin D. Jenkins Scholarship Award

Application sponsored by the NAGC Special Populations Network, the NAGC Gifted Racial Accountability and Commitment to Equity (G-RACE) Special Interest Group. This award is also supported by Gifted Education Research & Resource Institute’s (GER2 I) Summer Residential Program at Purdue University.
This student award is named in honor of Dr. Martin D. Jenkins, father of research on gifted Black students, and it is designed to honor the achievements of highly gifted students who excel academically in school.

Application Deadline - May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST

For questions, Jessica Gutierrez (jgutierrez@nagc.org)

Dr. Martin D. Jenkins Award Application

Eligible applicants must meet at least three of the following criteria.
Note: Students who have previously received this award are not eligible to apply again.

Eligibility:
1. Exceptional test score. Be identified as gifted, as demonstrated by nationally standardized intelligence or achievement test scores: comprehensive or subtest score. Within the last 3 years have scored in the top 5% on standardized test scores.
2. Accelerated. Have received either subject acceleration or full grade acceleration. A district/school letter showing evidence of acceleration.
3. Exemplary achievement. Provide evidence of exceptional achievement in any area, i.e. having received an outstanding award, a scholarship, having won a competition usually received/won by a person 1 or more years older than the nominee. Provide a copy or scan of the award letter with an attached statement explaining the exemplary achievement.
4. Early entry or dual enrollment. Have entered high school at age 13 or younger OR college at age 15 or younger.
5. Exemplary school work. Provide a sample of work (PDF link or video) that distinguishes this student from grade level peers in a content area or discipline. Attach a statement explaining exemplary school work.
6. Competition winner. Have achieved local, state, regional, national or international status in an academic or arts competition (e.g. chess, science, mathematics, arts, leadership, forensics, engineering). Provide a copy of the award letter.
7. Other evidence of eligibility. If you believe a student should be nominated for this award but are unsure whether they meet all the requirements, please provide any evidence to support their eligibility, and it will be reviewed and considered as part of the eligibility criteria.
Award Benefits:
- Recipients will receive $300 Cash Award and a complimentary Parent Day registration for up to two parents/guardians at the NAGC Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. This will take place November 13-16, 2025.
- Recipients will receive one scholarship covering registration to attend the Gifted Education Research & Resource Institute’s (GER2I) Summer Residential Program at Purdue University (transportation to/from Purdue not included)
- Parents will receive 1-year Parent membership for NAGC and Special Populations Network
- Students are invited to attend a featured session at the NAGC Annual Conference held in Pittsburgh, PA. This will take place November 13-16, 2025. More details such as date and time will be provided at a later date.
Note. Recipients are required to share a brief end-of-school-year report on academic progress by email.
Application Requirements
In order to receive full consideration, all of the following materials must be received by the due date provided by NAGC above.

Cover Sheet: Completion of this form and required information will meet this requirement.

Personal Statement: Write a statement describing your primary interests and your thoughts about your future career or direction for your life. Use Microsoft Word to generate an application letter, using the following parameters: not to exceed 3 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font.

Exhibits: Applicants must submit at least 3 exhibits (6 maximum) associated with the different criteria (listed above) to provide evidence of exemplary achievement. The quality, not quantity, of the artifacts is most important.

For non-print artifacts, you may represent these with a photo image taken with a camera or downloaded from a website or create a representation using other digital media. It may be constructive to consult with a teacher, counselor or another educational advocate/mentor who can help you to identify and craft your exhibits.

Two (2) Nominating Letters of Support from:
1. An educational professional OR other discipline expert (engineer, physician, scientist, artist, attorney, technology professional, etc.) (1 single-spaced page max)
2. A family member, mentor, civic or faith-based organization leader (1 single-spaced page max)

Applicant Information
Award Category
Applicant First and Last Name*

First NameLast Name
Applicant age, as of March 1, 2026*
Applicant Grade Level, Spring 2026*
Applicant Gender*
Applicant Pronouns Used*
Applicant Email*
example@example.com
Applicant Phone Number (or Parent/Guardian if applicable)*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Applicant Race/Ethnicity*
Current Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry

Cover Sheet
Parent/Guardian Information:
Parent/Guardian Name #1*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian email #1*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian phone number #1*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Parent/Guardian Name #2

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian email #2
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian phone number #2
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
School Information:
School District*
School Name*
Principal's Name*

First NameLast Name
Principal's Email Address*
example@example.com
Nominator(s):

List Names, titles, and affiliations of persons nominating student
Nominator #1 Name*

First NameLast Name
Nominator #1 Email Address*
example@example.com
Nominator #1 Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Nominator #1 Title/Affiliation*
Nominator #1 Relationship to Student*
Nominator #2 Name

First NameLast Name
Nominator #2 Email
example@example.com
Nominator #2 Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Nominator #2 Title/Affiliation
Nominator #2 Relationship to Student

Personal Statement
Use Microsoft Word not to exceed 3 pages, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font.*

Cancelof

Exhibits
Exhibit 1 Description of Content and Significance*
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School Work
Exhibit #1 Upload*

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof

Exhibit 2 Description of Content and Significance*
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School Work
Exhibit #2 Upload*

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof

Exhibit 3 Description of Content and Significance*
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School Work
Exhibit #3 Upload*

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof
YesNo

Exhibit 4 Description of Content and Significance
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School Work
Optional: Exhibit #4 Upload

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof
YesNo

Exhibit 5 Description of Content and Significance
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School Work
Optional: Exhibit #5 Upload

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof
YesNo

Exhibit 6 Description of Content and Significance
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School Work
Optional: Exhibit #6 Upload

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof

Two Nominating Letters of Support
Letter of Support #1 - Educational professional OR other discipline expert (engineer, physician, scientist, artist, attorney, technology professional, journalist, etc.)*

First NameLast Name
Role/Job Title*
Organization*
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Upload Letter of Support*

Cancelof
Letter of Support #2 - Family member, mentor, civic or faith-based organization leader*

First NameLast Name
Role/Job Title*
Organization*
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Upload Letter of Support #2*

Cancelof

PHOTOGRAPHIC CONSENT RELEASE AUTHORIZATION

I understand that all photographs submitted with my application or taken at the NAGC conference may be used in any NAGC publications, including it sub-committees, for marketing or in a public relations nature, such as newsletters, brochures, promotional items, websites or other such material.

I hereby grant NAGC, and those acting under its permission or upon its authority, the free right and permission to use my likeness in photograph(s)/video in any and all of its publications and in any and all other media, whether now known or hereafter existing, controlled by NAGC, in perpetuity, and for other use by the NAGC. I will make no monetary or other claim against NAGC for the use of the photograph(s)/video.
Applicant's Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Applicant's Digital Signature*
Parent's Signature (If under 18) Digital Signature*
Submission Date*

MonthDayYear
PRESS RELEASE AUTHORIZATION

I understand that NAGC may send press releases and/or release other external written and online communication about the achievements, accomplishments, and activities of its selected scholars.

I hereby grant NAGC permission to include me in appropriate press releases and other external written and online communication.
Applicant's Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Applicant's Digital Signature*
Parent's Signature (If under 18) Digital Signature*
Submission Date*

MonthDayYear

Press Release Contact Form (Optional)
The name(s) of my hometown newspaper(s) are:

Business NameContact if Known
Hometown Newspaper Contact Email
example@example.com
Hometown Newspaper Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
The name(s) of my hometown newspaper(s) are:

Business NameContact if Known
Hometown Newspaper Contact Email
example@example.com
Hometown Newspaper Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
School District's Director of Public Affair's Contact Information:

First NameLast Name
School District's Director of Public Affair's Email
example@example.com
Should be Empty:

Dr. Martin D. Jenkins Scholarship Award

Dr. Martin D. Jenkins Award Application

Application Requirements

Applicant Information

Cover Sheet

Personal Statement

Exhibits

Two Nominating Letters of Support