PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Nihar Gala Scholarship for American Entrepreneurs has opened applications for its 2026 program, offering a $1,000 award to one student through a nationwide essay competition aimed at aspiring business owners.
Applications are open to undergraduate students enrolled in accredited U.S. colleges and universities who are pursuing business-related studies, as well as high school students planning to study business or entrepreneurship in college. The scholarship program was established in 2022 by physician and healthcare executive Nihar Gala.
Applicants must submit an original essay of no more than 1,000 words responding to the prompt: “Describe one of the most difficult events in your life, and how you overcame that event and learned from it to better yourself.”
According to the scholarship program, essays will be evaluated on originality, clarity and the applicant’s ability to communicate lessons drawn from personal experience. The program is intended to recognize students interested in entrepreneurship and business leadership.
Applications are due Oct. 15, 2026. The recipient is scheduled to be announced Nov. 15, 2026.
Eligible students must submit essays in Microsoft Word format by email to apply@nihargalascholarship.com. Additional eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at https://nihargalascholarship.com.
Gala earned his medical degree from Rutgers University in 2012 and founded Alpha Care Medical in 2017. He serves as the organization’s chief executive officer, overseeing four primary care locations in Delaware that provide services including behavioral health, psychiatry and opioid addiction treatment.
The scholarship is open to eligible applicants nationwide and is not restricted to a particular state or region.
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