AUCD | Scholarships

Conference Scholarships

Two woman standing in front of the AUCD Banner.

The AUCD Conference Scholarship for the 2024 Conference provides a free registration to attend the entire event. The number of scholarships awarded for 2024 year is dependent on available funds.

Scholarship recipients are expected to pay any other costs they might incur on their end associated with attending the AUCD Conference.

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 Emerging Leaders

Criteria

Demonstrated leadership involvement in a program, activity or other initiative in your community, Center, Program, or other organization.
Demonstration of how the AUCD Network is benefitting from your leadership work.
Noted professional goals for the next 3-5 years.

Use social media during the Conference to relay your experience (if you use social media, if not it's ok).
Submit a photo and bio for AUCD to use on the Conference Scholarship page of the AUCD website as well as in other announcements or publications about selected recipients.

The application must include the following:

A current resume/CV: No more than three pages.
One letter of support from your Program/Center's Director or Training Director.
Brief written response to following:

Why would you like to attend the Conference?
What do you hope to gain from the Conference?
What makes you the perfect candidate to receive a Scholarship?
How has the AUCD Network benefited from your leadership?
Briefly describe your professional goals for the next 3-5 years.
What unique perspective do you think you could bring to the Conference?

Applications closed on Monday, September 16, 2024. Applicants who have been selected will be notified no later than September 27, 2024. The Conference registration deadline is October 25, 2024.

If you have questions about the AUCD Conference Scholarship, contact Anna Costalas at [email protected].

Emerging Leaders Conference Scholarships

AUCD Emerging Leader gesturing towards poster.

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 attendance at the Conference: 8 Travel Scholarships and 7 Volunteer Scholarships. 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 2024. Priority will be given to current and former trainees who have not attended AUCD's Annual Conference before.

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 attendance at the Conference upfront in their entirety.

Travel Scholarships Requirements

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

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

Volunteering at the AUCD Conference is an excellent opportunity to reduce your costs of attending the Conference and 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 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.

Volunteer Scholarship Requirements

Volunteers can select one of three roles below:

Registration - In this role, you will engage with Conference attendees as they check in and support AUCD staff with registration-related tasks.
Usher - In this role, you will welcome attendees to the plenary sessions, direct them to available seating, and offer additional support as needed.
Marketplace - In this role, you will support AUCD staff in selling and maintaining merchandise at the on-site Conference marketplace.

Trainees volunteering must communicate with the AUCD staff members, 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 might pose a conflict for volunteering or that the trainee would like to volunteer at specifically, 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 experiences.

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

The application must include the following:

A current resume/CV: No more than three pages.
One letter of support from your Program/Center's Director or Training Director.
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?
How will attending the Conference help you achieve your personal and/or professional goals

Applications closed on Monday, September 16, 2024. Trainees who have been selected will be notified no later than September 27, 2024. The Conference registration deadline is October 25, 2024.

Emerging Leaders awarded the Conference scholarships must submit a proper reimbursement form and relevant receipts to AUCD detailing their travel costs. The form must be sent to AUCD no later than 30 days (December 13, 2024) after the Conference.

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