Scholarships Program
Photo © Beau Campbell Photography
Welcome to Second Act's Encore Fund Scholarships Program!
We’re excited to offer the Encore Fund Scholarship under Second Act. This is a crucial piece of supporting our network, and we are so excited you are interested in applying. The Encore Fund Scholarship is intended for dancers in the pursuit of higher education. Awards are given out in $1k increments.
2026 Award Recipients
Norika Matsuyama
Norika Matsuyama in Tomasson's 7 For Eight // © Erik Tomasson
Kara Blythe
"Education has allowed me to plan a future beyond the performing career, while carrying forward the experiences that shaped me as a dancer. Pursuing higher education has given me the opportunity to grow academically and personally, while preparing for a career where I can help others through movement. As I begin my DPT program, the support from The Encore Fund will help ease the financial burden of this transition and allow me to focus on my academic and clinical training. I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement from an organization that believe in potentials of dancers and help prepare for the chapters beyond the stage.
I believe the discipline, creativity, and resilience I developed during my dance career has been invaluable as I prepare for this next chapter, and will continue to serve me into my next career. "
"The unique traits that ballet gifts dancers strengthens educational pursuits. The Encore Fund is so valuable because it provides a pathway for dancers to have a second act. As wonderful as a ballet career can be, it is important that there is an organization that prioritizes and supports dancers in their life after dance.
There are many skills that I learned in ballet that will help me in the life to come. The daily personal discipline that comes with being a professional ballerina has helped me immensely as a student juggling multiple deadlines in various classes. Ballet has also given me an innate sense of the body, which will assist me greatly as a physical therapist and impact how I interact with future patients."
2026-2027 Application Cycle
Application Requirements
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Online application form
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Resume / CV
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Personal statement describing your dance career, your educational history, your financial need for the scholarship, and your plans for the future
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PDF format preferred. Applications without attachments will not be reviewed.*
Award Details
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Amount of funding: $1,000 gifts
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Can be used for tuition, professional development, certifications, books and supplies, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
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Professional or pre-professional dance experience (including paid work or participation in accredited training programs)
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Minimum 3.0 GPA
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U.S. citizenship (subject to possible expansion)
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Age 18 or older
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Enrollment or planned enrollment in a post-secondary program by Fall 2026
Timeline
Applications for our 2026/27 cycle will open in Septeber 2026.
Contact Information
Please reach out to Shelby Whallon, Director of Scholarships (shelby.whallon@secondactnetwork.org) with any questions.
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We believe in supporting dancers through every stage of their journey. Apply today and take your next step with confidence.