World Deaf Leadership (WDL): Master’s Degree Scholarship Announcement for Fall 2025

Gallaudet University is delighted to announce the availability of the World Deaf Leadership (WDL) for highly qualified students interested in pursuing master’s degrees in select programs at the university.

The WDL Scholarship offers an extraordinary opportunity for deaf and hard of hearing leaders from developing nations to pursue studies at Gallaudet University. The scholarship aims to empower recipients with the knowledge, skills, and aspirations that higher education provides, enabling them to make significant contributions to their deaf communities. This esteemed program is generously funded by the Nippon Foundation of Tokyo, Japan. Since its inception in 2003, more than 24 WDL Scholarships have been awarded.

This 2-year graduate scholarship will cover tuition, room, board, and medical insurance, and includes an annual stipend for essential expenses such as books, supplies, laundry services, personal items, and local transportation. In addition, WDL Scholars receive mentorship from a Gallaudet University faculty member and participate in an internship in their home country.

Upon completion of their studies, WDL Scholars are required to return to their home countries to advocate for and improve the lives of deaf individuals through education, advocacy, and collaboration with various organizations and stakeholders.

Currently, Gallaudet University has three WDL Scholars enrolled and is looking to award scholarships to two additional graduate students for Fall 2025. The scholarship is open to deaf and hard of hearing applicants from developing countries for the following two-year master’s programs:

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Interpretation
• International Development
• Linguistics
• Accessible Human-Centered Computing
• Public Administration
• Deaf Studies

Prospective Applicants:

1. Do you want to earn a degree from Gallaudet University?
2. Are you deaf or hard of hearing?
3. Are you working with deaf and civic communities to improve accessibility, education, and/or quality of life for deaf people in your home country?
4. Do you have good English writing and reading skills?
5. Are you a citizen of a developing country?

If you answered YES to these questions, the WDL Scholarship is perfect for you!

If you are interested in being considered for the WDL Scholarship, complete the Expression of Interest Form (click the link below) and must be submitted no later than January 31, 2025. This form helps determine eligibility for the WDL scholarship.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact via email here

*Please note that the Gallaudet-Nippon World Deaf Leadership Scholarship is solely for individuals from developing countries who are interested in enrolling at the University. It is NOT for those who are currently enrolled and NOT for those who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.