Future Leaders Scholarship
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The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship is up to $20,000 per year for two years available to a student entering their junior year in a 4-year undergraduate program or entering the last two years of a 5-year or dual degree undergraduate program, and studying in a field related to floods and flood management. The funds are for undergraduate work only and will pay the recipient’s college or university directly for any tuition costs which exceed any existing financial aid or scholarships up to $20,000 per year. Funds remaining after tuition payment may be used for other educational expenses, room and board in a college dormitory, or an equivalent stipend if living off campus.

The ASFPM Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship has been established to provide financial support, mentoring and professional opportunities to undergraduate students who will grow to advance the vision of the ASFPM Foundation. The ASFPM Foundation’s vision focuses on reducing the risk and impacts of floods on people and communities.

The Future Leaders Scholarship is intended to support the undergraduate academic career of a deserving student, studying in areas such as engineering, planning, and biological, earth and social sciences, interested in a career field related to reducing the risk and impacts of floods on people and communities. Addressing floods and flood risk includes the fields of floodplain management, watershed management and coastal management, and incorporates climate change, the environment, and urban and land management issues. Professionals working in the field include people in the public and private sectors and who are scientists, engineers, planners, and researchers.

The ASFPM Foundation has established eligibility criteria for the Future Leaders Scholarship, and along with a demonstration of financial need, the student must be pursuing a course of study related to the vision of the ASFPM Foundation. After graduation the student must plan to work in a profession that focuses on reducing the risk and impacts of floods on people and communities.

Application and Selection Process:

  • Applicants must complete an online application.
  • The application and all required attachments for the ASFPM Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship must be received by the application deadline of February 1, 2026.
  • Applicants must affirm that submissions are true and certify that all work has been done by the applicant. The use of AI or other tools may only be used for brainstorming and grammar checking.
  • Eligible applicants will be evaluated based on GPA, academic and non-academic activities, written essays, financial needs, communication skills, and interest in a flood-related career. A student’s need to work while enrolled in school and consideration of work history will be considered as a demonstration of financial need.
  • High-ranking candidates, as determined by the selection committee, will be contacted no later than February 15, 2026 and must submit two current (within the last six months) letters of recommendation. Required will be:
    • Letter of Reference – Academic/Professional (from a professor or past/current employer)
    • Letter of Reference - Character (from a non-academic/professional reference who is not a family member and can attest to the good character of the applicant)
  • The highest-ranking candidates, as determined by the selection committee, will be interviewed in person, by telephone, or via video in March or April 2025.
  • The selected ASFPM Foundation Future Leader Scholar will be announced by May, 2026, with concurrent notifications to non-selected applicants.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for 2026-2028 Scholarship:
The applicant must:

  • be a U.S. citizen or have U.S. permanent resident alien status;
  • have graduated from high school prior to August 2024;
  • have completed a minimum of 1 year of studies at a college or university by January 2026*;
  • be entering their junior year in a 4-year undergraduate program or entering their 4th year in a 5-year dual degree undergraduate program in Fall 2026;
  • have a cumulative, minimum GPA of 2.5 (or equivalent) at the completion of the Fall Semester 2025;
  • be attending an accredited public or private college or university in the United States or its territories; and
  • be pursuing a course of study related to the vision of the ASFPM Foundation, which includes, engineering, planning, and biological, earth and social sciences.
* Students with extra coursework credits, such as those earned from programs such as AP, IB, or community college credits earned in high school, are welcome to apply, however applicants must have completed a minimum of 1 year of full-time studies at a college or university.
 
Questions regarding the scholarship and the application may be submitted to asfpmfoundation@floods.org. Questions must be received by January 29, 2026 to receive a reply.