Emerging Leaders Conference Scholarships

 

Emerging Leaders Conference Scholarships (15 available)

The AUCD Annual Conference is a great learning and networking opportunity for current and former trainees! AUCD is pleased to announce two types of scholarships for Emerging Leaders to support their attendance at the Conference:

• 9 Travel Scholarships
• 6  Volunteer Scholarships

Fifteen (15) scholarships of up to $500 are available to (a) current trainees and (b) former trainees presenting work conducted while a trainee. Former trainees must have completed their traineeship no earlier than May 2021. Priority will be given to current and former trainees who have not attended AUCD's Annual Conference before.

Travel Scholarships (9 available)

Trainees may apply their $500 travel scholarship to support their attendance at the AUCD Conference, including hotel, air or comparable travel, or other expenses (excluding registration). Please note that awarded trainees (or their Program/Center) are expected to pay all costs associated with their attendance at the conference upfront in their entirety.

Travel Scholarships Requirements 

Those who receive Travel Scholarships are required to engage in the following activities: 

1. View the pre-conference orientation video. This will be available before the conference.
2. Attend the Trainee Networking Session and the Trainee-Professional Networking Breakfast during the Conference.  
3. Visit at least 2 posters during the poster presentations.
4. Visit at least 2 booths in the Exhibitor Hall. 
5. Attend at least 1 council meeting.
6. Attend a virtual post-conference focus group to share their experience. 

Volunteer Scholarships (6 available)

Volunteering at the AUCD Conference is a great opportunity to not only reduce your costs of attending the Conference but also receive hands-on leadership and learning opportunities about the AUCD network and the management of a national disability conference. Those who receive a Volunteer Scholarship must complete at least six (6) hours of volunteer time at the AUCD Conference. 

Trainees may apply their $500 volunteer scholarship to support their attendance to the AUCD Conference, including hotel, air or comparable travel, or other expenses (excluding registration). Please note that awarded trainees (or their Program/Center) are expected to pay all costs associated with their attendance at the conference upfront in their entirety. 

Volunteer Scholarship Requirements 

Volunteers can select one of three roles below: 

1. Social media support – In this role, you will take photos and draft social media messages for the AUCD Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

2. Conference greeter – In this role, you will welcome attendees to the plenary sessions, direct them in the new space, and offer additional support as needed.

3. Marketplace support – In this role, you will support the lead AUCD Marketplace manager with selling merchandise and restocking. 

Trainees volunteering must communicate with the AUCD staff members and show up at the appointed time and place and carry out appointed activities. If there is an activity the trainee would like to attend that either might pose a conflict for volunteering or that the trainee would like to specifically volunteer at, the trainee must communicate that to AUCD at least two (2) weeks before the Conference. Volunteers will also be invited to attend a virtual post-conference focus group to share their experience.  

What is an Allowable Expense?

Travel expenses allowable under this scholarship include coach class air or reasonable ground travel and hotel accommodations. Additional details on allowable costs are included with the reimbursement form. Registration and poster charges for the Conference are not allowable.

Application Process

Interested Emerging Leaders must submit a brief application online here.

The application must include the following:

1. A current resume/CV: No more than three pages
2. One letter of support from your Program/Center's Director or Training Director 
3. Brief written response to at least two of the following questions 
• What do you hope to gain from the Conference?
• What makes you the perfect candidate to receive a Scholarship?
• What unique perspective do you think you could bring to the Conference?
• Please explain how attending the Conference will help you achieve your personal and/or professional goals.

Deadline

Applications closed on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 11:59pm ET. Trainees who have been selected will be notified no later than October 21, 2022. The Conference registration deadline is November 3, 2022.

Emerging leaders awarded the Emerging Leader Conference scholarships must submit a proper reimbursement form and relevant receipts to AUCD detailing their travel costs. The form must be sent to AUCD not later than 30 days (December 16, 2022) after the end of the Conference. 

Questions

If you have questions about the Emerging Leaders Conference Scholarship, contact Maureen Johnson at [email protected].