2026 Partners in Community Forestry Student Scholarship Application
The Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with Origins, and the Student Conservation Association, is thrilled to offer students and early career professionals the opportunity to attend the 2026 Partners in Community Forestry (PCF) Conference through our 2026 Student Scholarship Program. This scholarship is designed remove barriers to attendance for students and young professionals and empower the next generation of urban forestry leaders.
ELIGIBILITY
- Be an American Citizen, Permanent Resident, or have Refugee Status in the United States or a United States Visa
- Be a current student enrolled in a college, university, or other postsecondary program (undergraduate, graduate, or technical), OR have less than 3 years of experience in Urban Forestry or a related field.
- Be between the ages of 18-30 at the time of the conference.
- Demonstrate an interest in urban and community forestry, sustainability, natural resources, or a related field.
- Be available to attend the full conference in St. Louis, Missouri from Wednesday, November 18 to Thursday, November 19, 2026.
- Participate in all required scholarship activities, including a pre-conference webinar (to be scheduled), mentor group meetings, the Student Scholarship Awardee Breakfast (the morning of Wednesday Nov. 18), and post-event survey. A full list of activities is listed below.
- Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible to reapply at this time. However, individuals who applied in the past but were not selected are welcome to apply again.
Please note:
- Students living within 50 miles of the venue are only eligible for a registration scholarship.
- Students living outside the 50-mile radius may apply for a full travel stipend.
SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS
Applicants can apply for one of two scholarship types:
Registration Scholarship
Covers the full cost of conference registration for the Partners in Community Forestry Conference.
Full Travel Stipend Available only to students living outside a 50-mile radius of the conference venue.
Students awarded a full travel stipend will receive a code to cover their conference registration and a $1,000 stipend for travel and lodging.
This award is designed to include:
- Full conference registration
- Two to Three-night single-occupancy hotel stay (Tuesday through Thursday or Friday)
- Up to $400 in flight and travel costs
MENTORSHIP AND NETWORKING:
All scholarship recipients will be paired with a Mentor Group to help them make the most of their experience. Mentors are professionals in the field who will guide students throughout the conference.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:
If awarded a student scholarship, you will be expected to:
- Attend a pre-conference webinar in October or November to meet their mentor group (Date TBD)
- Arrive at the conference venue and hotel in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday, November 17 to be ready to attend the conference beginning on the morning of Wednesday, November 18.
- Participate fully in the Student Scholarship Awardee Breakfast on November 18 (morning)
- Engage in the full PCF Conference experience, including conference sessions and networking events
- Complete a post-conference survey and share photos or reflections from the experience
Click here to view a sample agenda for student scholarship awardees