Streamer sensation IM Levy Rozman (GothamChess) has recently announced he will be funding scholarship opportunities. Rozman will donate $100,000 to chess programs in United States schools to support competitive scholastic chess teams.

Schools given the “Levy Rozman Scholarship Fund” will receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to pay for training, tournament fees, and travel expenses.

Rozman recently surpassed the one-million-follower mark on his YouTube channel and became the biggest chess creator on the platform and one of the most successful chess celebrities in the world. To assist him in his new endeavor, ChessKid.com will help Rozman to identify suitable schools to receive the grants—with Rozman helping to make the final decisions on who should receive the scholarships.

Rozman told ChessKid.com and Chess.com: “Chess has given me a life I could never dream of, and I think it’s only fair to re-invest back into scholastic programs. I’m a firm believer in both charity and education, so this scholarship fund is the perfect crossroads.”

Part of the grant will include ChessKid.com and Chess.com premium memberships to members of the schools’ teams to further support Rozman’s mission.

ChessKid.com, the scholastic extension of Chess.com, is dedicated to being the safest place for kids to learn and play chess. The site welcomes kids at an early age to the wonders of chess, teaching them how to play and have fun with the game.

Application For The 2021 Levy Rozman Scholarship Program

Please fill out the official 2021 Levy Rozman Scholarship application if you would like to have your school considered. Applications close after October 29, 2021, and the winners will be determined by November 5, 2021. If your school is selected you will be contacted, and ChessKid.com will work with your program to start the onboarding process

Who Should Apply

While most of the grants will be awarded to K-8 schools, the scholarship is open to elementary, middle, or high schools with a competitive chess program. It is highly desirable (although not required) that schools that are applying compete regularly.

Requirements For Winners

School chess programs that are awarded the grants will have to submit a report detailing how they spent the money. They will also have to send one quarterly video (by a teacher or a student) about their progress. 

If you have any questions about the application process, you can contact Ranae Bartlett, Education Director at ChessKid.com at ranae@chesskid.com.

Rozman added: “Before my online career, I was a chess teacher. I had the opportunity to work with hundreds of students, ages 5-14, and watching them grow both as chess players and as humans was an incredible feeling. I was able to scale that passion for teaching into the reach I have now, and I’ve always wanted to return to my roots with a positive impact. That’s why I made the scholarship.”