Lauren Ryan Genetic Counselor Access Memorial Award

About this program

National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) offers the Lauren Ryan Genetic Counselor Access Memorial Award, a $2,500 annual scholarship to support access to the genetic counseling profession for traditionally underrepresented or minority populations and to promote diversity and equitable access. One award will be given to a first‑year genetic counseling student in 2026; applications are available on the NSGC website with a deadline of April 27 at 11:59 pm CT. Applicants must be enrolled and in good standing in an ACGC‑accredited master’s genetic counseling program and must self‑identify as meeting at least one criterion: member of an underrepresented group within the profession, an individual with an ADA‑defined disability, a first‑generation graduate student, or from a low‑income background (defined as 150% of applicable federal poverty guidelines).