Route 79 Scholarship Program

Route 79, The Duchenne Scholarship Program, was designed to help students diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy pursue their post-high school educational goals. The scholarship is named after the 79 exons in the dystrophin gene impacted by Duchenne. Sarepta knows that the route traveled by every person with Duchenne is distinct. Through this program, every year we acknowledge and support individuals with Duchenne who are taking charge and mapping out their future via educational pursuits. Scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded to each scholarship recipient. 

In the 2024-2025 academic year, we are awarding up to 20 academic scholarships to individuals living with Duchenne and 5 academic scholarships of up to $5000 to siblings of individuals living with Duchenne.

We know that Duchenne affects the entire family and so in 2022, we added Duchenne sibling scholarships to the program. Siblings are an integral part of the Duchenne community and we hope that this scholarship program plays a small role in helping them achieve their dreams.

For questions about the Route 79 Scholarship for Individuals living with Duchenne, please reference this FAQ document.

For questions about the Route 79 Scholarship for Siblings of individuals living with Duchenne, please reference this FAQ Document.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by an independent committee of Duchenne community members based on the applicants’ essay, demonstrated level of community involvement and recommendation letter. The scholarship program is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS), Inc., a firm that specializes in managing sponsored scholarship programs. This ensures complete impartiality in the selection of recipients and to maintain a high level of professionalism. The scholarship selection panel is blinded to the name of individual applicants, as well as whether the applicants have received, or plan to receive a Sarepta Therapy.

Timeline:

• Application Open: February 29, 2024
• Application Deadline: May 13, 2024
• Recommendation Deadline: May 13, 2024
• Notification of Selection Results: July 2024
• Funds Disbursed: August 2024

If you are an individual living with Duchenne and applying to the scholarship, click here to apply.

If you are a sibling of an individual living with Duchenne and applying to the scholarship, click here to apply.

The breadth and depth of focus across the Route 79 scholarship recipients, past and present, is impressive. They're pursuing associates, bachelors, and masters degrees. Their areas of study reflect any typical pool of American students: humanities subjects like classics and political science; technology fields like computer science and mechanical engineering; and others, such as journalism, business, law, hospitality management, and more. 

Sarepta celebrates these students' passion and persistence, their determination to pursue new achievements, friendships, independence, and more. We're privileged to play a small role in helping them chart their future course.

2022 scholarship recipients are available here.

2021 scholarship recipients are available here.

2020 scholarship recipients are available here.

2019 scholarship recipients are available here.

2018 scholarship recipients are available here.

The scholarship program is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS), Inc., a firm that specializes in managing sponsored scholarship programs. This ensures complete impartiality in the selection of recipients and to maintain a high level of professionalism.

For more helpful information about scholarships plus answers to common inquiries related to ISTS’ technology and processes, visit our Self-Help Portal at ISTSprogramsupport.com. You may also call toll free (855) 670-ISTS (4787). ISTS offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT.