Weird scholarships in 2027 prove that strange hobbies pay: from duct-tape prom fashion to vegan advocacy to parapsychology research, these real awards hand out up to $10,000 to students with unusual passions — and most of them have upcoming 2027 deadlines.
Key Details
- Program: Weird scholarships — legitimate, unusual awards for students with offbeat talents and interests
- Top awards: up to $10,000 (Duck Brand Stuck at Prom first place; Vegetarian Resource Group top award)
- Also included: $2,000 Garrett Parapsychology award; Tall Clubs International 2027 season (details to be finalized)
- Status: 2027 cycles open December 1, 2026 (VRG) and January 1, 2027 (Tall Clubs); Duck Brand 2027 cycle not yet announced
- Deadline: February 20, 2027 (VRG) — others open Dec 2026 / Jan 2027
About Weird Scholarships 2027
Companies and nonprofits create weird scholarships to celebrate quirky talents most students overlook — which means the applicant pools are small and your odds are far better than the big national awards. These four are completely real, pay real money and each has an upcoming 2027 window.
Award Amounts and Benefits
- Duck Brand Stuck at Prom: two $10,000 first-place prizes; eight $1,000 runners-up (plus a $100 Duck Tape pack); three $1,000 special prizes; four $250 patriotic prizes — total approximate retail value $32,800
- Vegetarian Resource Group: one $10,000 award plus five $5,000 awards for vegetarian advocacy
- Eileen J. Garrett Parapsychology Foundation: $2,000 for parapsychology study, awarded by August 1 each year
- Tall Clubs International: 2027 season opens January 1, 2027; the 2027 timeline is finalized December 31, 2026
Eligibility
- Duck Brand Stuck at Prom: age 14+, enrolled in high school; U.S. residents (excluding MD, CO, NE, ND) and Canada (excluding Quebec)
- Vegetarian Resource Group: U.S. high school seniors graduating in spring 2027
- Eileen J. Garrett Parapsychology Foundation: students at accredited colleges pursuing parapsychology study
- Tall Clubs International: check the 2027 season timeline, finalized December 31, 2026
How to Apply
- Duck Brand Stuck at Prom — craft and wear a prom outfit made from Duck Tape; enter when the 2027 contest is announced (the 2026 contest closed July 13, 2026)
- Vegetarian Resource Group — submit starting December 1, 2026: an essay (choice of 16 prompts), transcripts, three or more recommendations and documentation of your vegetarian advocacy, by February 20, 2027
- Eileen J. Garrett Parapsychology Foundation — submit a writing sample, transcript, three references and a statement of goals by July 1, 2027
- Tall Clubs International — watch for the 2027 season opening on January 1, 2027
Start with the official VRG scholarship page:
Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship – Official Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Are weird scholarships actually real?
Yes. Every award in this guide is run by a real company or foundation — Duck Brand, the Vegetarian Resource Group, the Eileen J. Garrett Foundation and Tall Clubs International — and each pays out real scholarship money.
What is the biggest weird scholarship?
The biggest prizes here are $10,000: the two Duck Brand Stuck at Prom first-place awards and the top Vegetarian Resource Group award.
Can a high school junior enter Stuck at Prom?
Yes — Duck Brand’s contest is open to anyone age 14 or older who is enrolled in high school, so juniors and seniors can both enter.
What does the VRG application require?
An essay chosen from 16 prompts, your transcripts, three or more recommendations and documentation of your vegetarian advocacy — all due February 20, 2027, with submissions opening December 1, 2026.
When do Tall Clubs International applications open?
The 2027 season opens January 1, 2027, with the full 2027 timeline finalized on December 31, 2026.
Like unusual awards? See Redhead Scholarship, 21 Full Scholarships To Pay Off Student Loans and 70 Weird Canadian Scholarships.