The AUCD Conference Scholarship (formerly the AUCD Emerging Leader Scholarship) provides a travel scholarship and free registration for the AUCD Conference out of AUCD's Conference Scholarship Fund (formerly Emerging Leader Scholarship Fund). The travel portion of the Conference Scholarship will be sent in the form of an individual check after the conference to be used toward travel expenses (hotel, transportation, etc.) related to the AUCD Conference; a full conference registration fee will be waived. Any additional paid conference events will not be waived. The number and level of scholarships awarded per year is dependent on available funds.

• Scholarship amount - $750 for travel expenses plus waived full conference registration (this does not include any additional paid events at the conference).
• Scholarship recipients are expected to pay all costs associated with their attendance at the conference upfront in their entirety.
• Full award will be paid after the conference in the form of a check.

Scholarship Eligibility

• Self-advocates
• Family members
• Early career professionals (5 years or less experience in the network)
• Note this scholarship opportunity is not open to current trainees

Scholarship Criteria

• Demonstrated leadership involvement in a program, activity or other initiative in your community, Center or other organization.
• Demonstration of how the AUCD network is benefitting from your leadership work.
• Noted professional goals for the next 3-5 years.
• Demonstration of what makes you unique as an emerging leader.

Expectations During the Conference

• Engagement opportunity on-site with a mentor.
• Submit to AUCD pictures from the Conference for use in future marketing of the scholarship and fund.
• Use social media during the Conference to relay your experience (if you participate in social media).
• Submit a photo and bio for AUCD to use on the Conference Scholarship Fund page of the AUCD website as well as in other announcements or publications about selected recipients and the Fund.

Expectations After the Conference

• Write an article for use by AUCD after the Conference on why your attendance at the Conference made a difference in your leadership trajectory.
• Submit to AUCD pictures from the Conference for use in future marketing of the scholarship and fund.

Application Process & Required Materials

Interested applicants should use AUCD's online application system via the button below to submit the following required documents:

1. Conference Scholarship Application Form (28KB) Complete this form in full and upload it to the online application in the field marked "proposal/project description."
2. A brief resume or curriculum vitae: a short listing of your academic or work history and accomplishments.
3. A letter of recommendation from your Center Director (additional letters of support can be submitted but are not required).

Please note that your application is not submitted until you have clicked the “Submit Application” button at the bottom of the application page. You will not be able to edit your application after hitting the Submit Application button.

Questions

If you have questions about the Trainee Travel Scholarships or the AUCD Conference, contact Laura at AUCD.