Opportunity
Dara Thong Memorial Scholarship
The Dara Thong Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 award given each year by the Cambodian Health Professionals Association of America (CHPAA) to a student pursuing a career in healthcare.[1] It honors Dara Thong, a CHPAA member and committed volunteer who received a philanthropy award and who worked on fundraising and the gala committee from the association's first gala onward.[1]
Sponsorship
CHPAA awards the scholarship alongside its other annual scholarships, through the same application process as the general CHPAA Scholarship program.[1] That program gives seven awards each cycle: five in Cambodia at $500 each and two in the United States at $1,000 each. The memorial scholarship is one further award.[1] It reflects Thong's belief in education and supports students who share her commitment to learning and service.[1]
Eligibility
The eligibility rules are those of the general CHPAA Scholarship. In the United States, undergraduates on pre-health tracks may apply: pre-med, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, pre-nursing or nursing, and allied health. In Cambodia, students of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing or allied health may apply.[1] The selection weighs volunteer work in community service, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and healthcare organizations, as well as academic achievement. For this award, community service and volunteerism carry particular weight.[1] Applicants closely related to CHPAA board members, and past CHPAA scholarship recipients, are not eligible.[1]
Application
Applicants submit a completed application form, school transcripts, a curriculum vitae and a 500-word essay about themselves, their personal and career goals and the contributions they expect to make to their community. The essay must be the applicant's own writing; an essay generated or enhanced by artificial intelligence software disqualifies the application.[1] Applications for the 2026 cycle closed on September 20, 2026.[1]