ASFPM Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship

Apply Now for the 2025-2027 Future Leaders Scholarship

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 degree 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 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. Funds are for undergraduate work only.

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.

Purpose of the ASFPM Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship:

The purpose of the Future Leaders Scholarship is to create an additional means to advance the vision of the ASFPM Foundation by helping to support the education of professionals interested in reducing the future risk and impacts of floods. Each scholarship will be awarded to a deserving college student who plans to work after graduation in a profession that directly, or indirectly, supports the field.

Duration of Scholarship:

This scholarship is awarded for up to a two-year duration and to a student entering their junior year in a 4-year undergraduate degree program or entering the last two years of a 5-year or dual degree undergraduate program.

Amount of Scholarship and What It Includes:

The scholarship will be in the amount of up to $20,000 per year for two years. The funds 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 precise amount of the stipend will be negotiated by the Foundation with the scholar prior to the beginning of the academic year.

In addition to financial assistance, the Future Leaders Scholarship is intended to provide mentoring. The scholarship recipient will be strongly encouraged to complete a paid summer internship between the first and second year with an ASFPM corporate, government or NGO partner. ASFPM and the ASFPM Foundation will assist the scholar in securing a suitable paid internship. The scholarship recipient will also be encouraged to participate in ASFPM activities at the state and national levels, such as annual conferences, and the ASFPM Foundation will assist with associated expenses.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for 2025-2027 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 2023;
• have completed a minimum of 1 year of studies at a college or university by January 2025;
• be entering their junior year or entering their 4th year of a 5-year dual undergraduate degree program in Fall 2025;
• have a cumulative, minimum GPA of 2.5 (or equivalent) at the completion of the Fall Semester 2024;
• 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.

In order to maintain the scholarship in the second year, the recipient must remain in good academic standing at the end of the first year with the college or university and carry a full academic load, sufficient to graduate from college at the conclusion of the two-year scholarship.

Additional Selection Criteria:

• Cumulative GPA at the completion of the fall college semester prior to application.
• Employment history, including paid and unpaid internships.
• Awards, achievements and honors.
• Relevant volunteer activities and hobbies.
• Evaluation of two required essays.
• Demonstrated communication skills.
• Demonstrated financial need.
• Desire and willingness to participate in Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) activities at the state and national levels. 
• Evaluation of reference letters.*

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, 2025.
• *High-ranking candidates, as determined by the selection committee, will be contacted no later than February 15, 2025 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 2025, with concurrent notifications to non-selected applicants.

A PDF of the Future Leaders Scholarship application is available here, however an online application must be submitted by all applicants.

Required Attachments:

The following attachments are required with the online application. They may be uploaded and attached to the application or emailed separately to asfpmfoundation@floods.org:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency Status
• Transcript of cumulative GPA from the 2023 Fall Semester or its equivalent trimester (2.5 or above)
• Copy of your most recent FAFSA 
• Resume listing employment history, as well as awards, achievements, and/or honors
• Two essays (as described below) 

Essay Questions: 

Applicants are to provide two original essays (max. 750 words each): 

1. Describe your personal background, including how or why you became interested in flood issues or how you became interested in the Future Leaders Scholarship. Feel free to include how your completed and planned coursework will prepare you for a career in addressing flood issues and/or any statement of financial need.
2. What do you see as the challenges reducing the risk and impacts of floods on people and communities today, and how do you believe you can contribute (make a difference) in addressing flood issues in the United States and its territories in the future?

For More Information:

Questions on the ASFPM Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship may be directed to asfpmfoundation@floods.org and will usually be answered within 48 hours. 

To learn more about the ASFPM Foundation visit asfpmfoundation.org and to learn more about the ASFPM visit floods.org.