Against the Grain Scholarships

We believe in supporting future Asian American artists and leaders who are shining examples of what it means to Go Against The Grain. Each year, ATG proudly awards scholarships to a select group of amazing Asian American high school seniors, college undergraduate and graduate school students through our Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship and Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship. In 2015, we added the #LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship, a new scholarship for aspiring fashion and graphic design students, in honor of a special member of the ATG family Lyly Koenig Mendez, an aspiring fashion designer who passed away from cancer this January 2015. In 2016, we added the Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship, which recognizes students pursuing a major or concentration in entrepreneurship. In 2022, we proudly add the Thear Sy Suzuki R.I.S.E. Scholarship for students who have exhibited an ability to rise above circumstances, demonstrated the ability to lift up others, and shown exemplary servant leadership in the Asian American community and beyond. Since our scholarship's inception in 2011, ATG has awarded 64 scholarships totaling nearly $100,000.

A panel of judges selects scholarship finalists and winners based on the combined strength of their GPA, community involvement and leadership, personal essay, portfolio and/or video submission and personal interview, representing the spirit of Against The Grain Productions.