Drum roll, please! After careful evaluation and some outstanding submissions, we are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Cochlear scholarships and Family Achieve awards.
One of the highlights of the Cochlear calendar, these scholarships and awards recognise and reward implant recipients who refuse to let hearing challenges stand in the way of pursuing their academic or vocational dreams.
Cochlear operates two scholarship programs, both of which honour our innovators and support the academic excellence of our recipients by providing funding for further study.
The Graeme Clark Scholarship is awarded to recipients of Cochlear™ Nucleus® implants, and the Anders Tjellström Scholarship goes to a Cochlear™ Baha® or Osia® implant recipient.
Graham Clark Scholarship: Eytan Freeman
This year, the Graeme Clark Scholarship was awarded to 18-year-old Eytan. Eytan was born profoundly deaf and, aged just 15 months, became one of the youngest children in the UK to receive bilateral cochlear implants at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Eytan has never let his hearing loss hold him back. “I’m a season ticket holder at Watford FC and a regular at festivals and gigs. And I’ve recently returned from Interrailing around Europe.”
While researching universities, Eytan was determined to find a course that allowed him to pursue his interest in accessibility and equality in Geography.
“My journey with Cochlear implants has shaped not only my identity but also my aspirations. It has instilled in me a drive to ensure that spaces and legal frameworks are inclusive for all. I look forward to taking the next step in this journey, combining my passion for Geography with my commitment to advocating for a more accessible world.”
Anders Tjellström Scholarship: Maia Tollner
This year’s Anders Tjellström Scholarship went to Maia who was born with microtia and has been moderately to severely deaf throughout her life. Maia had her first Baha abutment fitted at 5 and her second at 8. Now 19, she wears a Baha 6 Max sound processor.
Maia has a passion for theatre, and for challenging negative stereotypes in the arts. “Theatre is dominated by stereotypes that say that deaf people can’t act, direct or create theatre. With every play I take part in, I help to dismantle those stereotypes.”
Winning the scholarship has given Maia a sense of security as she completes her studies in English Literature at university. “I want to stay as creative as I can, hopefully writing for theatre or working in journalism. This scholarship allows me to pursue my passions.”
Cochlear Family Achieve Award
The new Cochlear Family Achieve Award recognises implant recipients who are excelling in non-academic pursuits – such as artistic or athletic endeavours. It celebrates their determination and unwavering commitment to achieving the incredible in their chosen field.
Cochlear Family Award Winner: Kennedy Parkin
The inaugural Cochlear Family Award goes to Kennedy, aged 22. Kennedy was born with microtia and right-side atresia and had her Baha device fitted aged seven at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Ever since, Kennedy has gone from strength to strength, fully embracing her love of music and dance. “I love to use movement to express myself. My Baha helps me stay in sync and pick up important cues in the studio, whether it’s timing, rhythm or feedback. It’s changed my life.”
Kennedy is studying for a Masters in Disability Rights & Inclusion whilst working several part-time jobs and is determined to use her qualification to advocate for the deaf community in the Arts. “Being deaf has become my superpower and shaped the person I am today”, she explains. “I am truly grateful to receive this award.”
Cochlear Family Award Runner-Up: Ethan Carter
Runner-up in this year’s Cochlear Family Award is 18-year-old, Ethan Carter. Ethan has had sensorineural hearing loss since birth due to Enlarged Vestibular Aquaducts (EVA) and had bilateral cochlear implants fitted aged 13.
Ethan made his own decision to have cochlear implant surgery and even researched his options and chose a Cochlear device himself. Ethan currently wears Cochlear Nucleus® 8 sound processors which are allowing him to live life to the full. “My passion is tennis, and my cochlear implants allow me to hear during matches. I have also started to coach and can now hear the questions across the court from the people I coach.”
Ethan also has his sights set on going to university to study Sports Management. “My ambition is to work in a field where athletes of all abilities and backgrounds can help reach their potential and where I can promote engagement to improve the health of our communities.”
Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you to everyone who applied – you are all incredibly inspiring.
Are you eligible to enter for a Cochlear sponsorship or award?
Do you know someone who could be eligible for a Cochlear scholarship or Cochlear Family Award? Learn more about the entry criteria for our Scholarships here and for the Cochlear Family Achieve Award here. Applications reopen in January of each year.
