The annual essay competition for the Future of Privacy Scholarship, sponsored by VPN service provider ExpressVPN, is accepting submissions. Students explore pressing challenges of the digital age through an annual essay competition with the possibility of earning cash awards.
The scholarship winner in 2026 will be awarded $5,000 in cash as well as a one-year subscription to ExpressVPN. The scholarship also chooses five runners-up, each of whom will also get an ExpressVPN membership good for a year.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship, applicants must fulfill the requirements listed below:
- Essays must be written in English.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in either a high school, undergraduate school, or graduate school, which can be located anywhere in the world.
- There is no age or citizenship requirement.
- Essays must be sent via email only to this address: scholarship@expressvpn.com. To be valid, the application email must include the applicant’s name and current grade level. Also, the email must carry the name, address, and contact details of the applicant’s school.
- One entry per student. Multiple entries per student will be disregarded.
- The winner will be required to submit a valid ID and proof of enrolment in a high school, undergraduate school, or graduate school.
Scholarship Advantages
- The winner of the $5,000 USD prize
- The winner will be highlighted on various communication platforms. This is a fantastic way to develop your resume, whether you want to work in journalism, law, computer science, or any related subject of study.
- Possibility to assume a prominent position in the expanding discussion surrounding encryption, digital rights, online privacy, and the battle against censorship.
How To Apply
Interested candidates for the ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship 2026 should compose an essay responding to the following prompt: How would you make sure the metaverse was free, open, and secure if you were creating its rules? There should be 600–800 words in your essay. You must submit your application by the deadline.
FAQs
1. 📝 What is the ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship 2026/2027?
The ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship is an annual scholarship program sponsored by ExpressVPN that encourages students to think critically about digital privacy and the future of the internet. Applicants submit an original essay responding to a given privacy-related prompt, and selected winners receive a cash award and recognition for their work.
2. 💰 How much is the scholarship worth, and who can apply?
The main scholarship award is $5,000 USD, and in some years runner-ups may receive other prizes such as one-year VPN subscriptions. To qualify, applicants must be currently enrolled in high school, an undergraduate program, or a graduate school, and they can reside in various regions (including the U.S., U.K., Canada, EU, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa).
3. 📅 What are the application requirements and deadlines?
Applicants must write and submit an essay on the specified topic—usually focused on envisioning or defending views on digital privacy and internet freedom. Essays are judged on clarity, organization, logic, and originality. One submission per student is permitted, and plagiarism results in disqualification. Deadlines have historically been in late summer or early fall (e.g., August or January deadlines depending on the cycle).
4. 🌍 Can international students apply?
Yes — the scholarship is open to international students as long as they are currently enrolled in a high school, college, or university program. There is often no citizenship or age requirement, though students must meet any regional eligibility criteria ExpressVPN specifies for that year’s cycle.