Funding

James W. Kynes Scholarship

Description

The James W. Kynes Scholarship endowment was established by friends, former teammates, and family to honor University of Florida alumnus James W. Kynes. It supports scholarships for UF undergraduate student athletes with high academic achievement, exceptional character, and outstanding performance and leadership in sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), who wish to pursue graduate or professional studies at UF.

To learn more, click these links:

• Biography: James W. Kynes (1928-1988)
• Kynes Selection Committee
• Past Kynes Scholars

Details

• This endowment annually funds two scholarships with stipends up to $10,000.
• These awards do not include tuition or fee waivers.
• Awardees will be dubbed Kynes Scholars.

Eligibility & Requirements

• You must be a current UF senior-level undergraduate student completing a UF bachelor’s degree or a former UF student who received a UF bachelor’s degree while playing NCAA-sponsored sports at UF as a student athlete.
• You must be admitted to a UF graduate or professional degree program.
• You must have exhausted your athletic eligibility to be considered for this award.

Selection Criteria

The Kynes Selection Committee chooses awardees on a competitive basis, with an eye on the strength of their undergraduate record of leadership and achievement at UF, especially...

• Academics: Outstanding undergraduate academic performance at UF.
• Athletics: Outstanding performance and leadership as a Division I athlete at UF.
• Character: Evidence of ideals and values in common with James W. Kynes: high personal integrity, loyalty, compassion, and respect for others.

Critical Dates & Deadlines

• The next application cycle will open early in Spring Semester 2026. Please check back then for deadlines.

Application Form

• The application form will be available from the University Athletic Association (UAA) when the next application cycle opens early in Spring Semester 2026.

Recommendation Letter Forms

• Recommendation letter forms will be available here when the next application cycle opens early in Spring Semester 2026.

Questions?

Email Leadership Development Coordinator Shandy Dawkins at the University Athletic Association (UAA) (shandyd@gators.ufl.edu).