Our mission is to bridge the gap between underserved cancer patients and their healthcare providers; and to encourage inclusive clinical trials and other cancer research. This will be achieved through advocacy, education, and support for the breast cancer community.

Graduate Funding for International and US students

Clarence Hannon Virginia Educational Funds!!

Clarence Hannon Virginia Education Funds is a need base/merit financial support, awarded to US freshmen students in the state of Virginia and international students from developing countries. It is set up in honor of Clarence Hannon, brother of the founder of Trials of Color, Sharon Rivera-Sanchez, who died 37 days after his diagnosis in November 2021 from Colon cancer.

Donate Now

Congrats 2023–24 beneficiaries

The founder of Trials of Color, Sharon Rivera-Sanchez has awarded the 2023 graduate funds to an international graduate student that will be attending a university in the state of Virginia.

Also, needed supplies have been awarded to a high school graduate student that would be attending a college in the state of Virginia. Beneficiaries will be announced in August, 2023.

Overview

Clarence Hannon Virginia Education Funds is a need base/merit financial support, awarded to US freshmen students in Virginia and international students from developing countries. It is set up in honor of Clarence Hannon, brother of the founder of Trials of Color, Sharon Rivera-Sanchez, who died 37 days after his diagnosis in November 2021 from Colon Cancer.

The Funds are opened to full-time graduate students whose proposed major/research is based on Clinical Studies, Health, Advocacy, and Cancer research. School supplies will be given to freshmen admitted to any University in Virginia. International students from Africa and citizens from Haiti are also eligible.

All awards/funding are based on available funds & supplies.

Trials of Color is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to advocating for diversity in clinical trials, awareness and prevention, early screening for colon & breast cancer as well as advocacy on behalf of African American and other underserved minority communities that have resource-deprived cancer survivors.

We support students who are passionate about advancing ways to enhance the understanding of clinical trials, breast and colon cancer in the world through advocacy.

Why Apply?

The goal of this project is to support US freshmen students with school supplies and African students in their efforts to improve their understanding on clinical trials, health communication and cancer research in order to be a change in their home country after their studies.

Eligible Countries

US, African countries and Haiti.

Acceptable Course or Subjects

The scholarship will be awarded for master’s programs on areas that are addressing health communication issues and cancer research as well as promoting initiatives for diversity in clinical research.

Admissible Criteria

  • The applicant must be admitted as a freshmen student in a university based in Virginia.
  • Must be a full-time international graduate student admitted into a university in the state of Virginia before being awarded school supplies and funds.
  • Must be a permanent resident of the United States, African country, or Haiti and show experience of demonstrated community work in cancer advocacy/research.

Application Deadline

Opens March 1
Closes June 30
Results August

*Dates are examples—update to your official timeline.

How to Apply

Complete the online application form. Share basic info, program, and eligibility details.
Upload documents. Admission letter, CV/resume, brief statement of purpose (max 500 words).
Provide contacts. One academic or community reference for verification.
Submit before the deadline. You will receive a confirmation email.
Apply Now Download Application (PDF)

Benefits

The Clarence Hannon Virginia Education Funds is a yearly award which includes partial tuition assistance for graduate studies and school-supply grants for qualifying US freshmen in Virginia.

  • Partial tuition (graduate level) – amount varies by funds available.
  • School-supply packages for eligible freshmen students in Virginia.
  • Mentorship and advocacy networking with Trials of Color.

Awards depend on available funds & supplies each year.