The QD Fund Announces National Scholarship for Mental Health in Healthcare
Miami, Florida — February 24, 2026 — Leads & Copy — The Fund has officially announced a national scholarship program aimed at supporting undergraduate and graduate students pursuing healthcare careers. The scholarship focuses on those roles where mental health awareness and patient advocacy are vital components of care.
Founded by Aaron Chan, RN, a registered nurse and healthcare entrepreneur, The Fund demonstrates a commitment to supporting healthcare professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for others, often while facing their own personal challenges. The initiative acknowledges the emotional strain, burnout, and adversity that healthcare workers on the front lines often experience.
The Fund operates in collaboration with QD Holdings Inc., a purpose-driven apparel brand, and serves as the philanthropic core of the QD ecosystem. Designed to scale alongside QD Apparel (www.wearqd.com), The Fund channels a portion of every collection toward advancing structured mental health initiatives within the healthcare community.
The scholarship provides a one-time award of $1,000 through a competitive essay process. It is designed to help reduce financial barriers for students preparing to enter professions such as nursing, medicine, psychology, psychiatry, counseling, social work, and allied health disciplines.
The Fund is seeking undergraduate and graduate students who show a sincere commitment to advancing mental wellness within their future healthcare roles. Eligible applicants must be enrolled at accredited colleges or universities and pursuing careers where emotional resilience and psychological awareness are integral to patient care.
A reflective essay is a key component of the application process. Students are asked to describe how a personal challenge or hardship has shaped their understanding of mental health and how that insight will inform their approach to caring for others.
Aaron Chan, RN, emphasizes that mental health is embedded across all areas of healthcare.
“Healthcare professionals are often the quiet heroes,” Chan said. “They show up for others every day — sometimes while carrying their own emotional weight. The Fund exists to recognize and support those individuals early in their journey.”
By supporting students at multiple stages of academic development, The Fund aims to strengthen the long-term mental health capacity of the healthcare workforce nationwide.
The application deadline is November 15, 2026, and the selected recipient will be announced December 15, 2026. Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, depth of reflection, and demonstrated commitment to advancing mental wellness within healthcare settings.
The Fund is structurally embedded within QD Holdings Inc., ensuring that growth in commerce directly expands its capacity for impact, rather than functioning as a standalone charitable initiative.
The scholarship is open to eligible students across the United States. Full eligibility details and application instructions are available at https://theqdfund.com/. More information about QD Apparel can be found at www.wearqd.com.
Source: The QD Fund for Mental Health
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