The USAP Conference Scholarship allows USAP to support individual Pride organizers who may not otherwise be able to attend and participate at the national conference. The scholarship is available to Pride organizers with an expressed need for financial assistance, with a focus on new or small organizations. Scholarships are not intended to cover the full cost of a recipient’s participation in the conference, but rather supply meaningful financial assistance based on need. Scholarship funds are generously provided by a variety of USAP member organizations. The 2024 USAP National Conference will be hosted Jan. 25-28, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Click here for more general conference, registration, and lodging information.
Please fully read the scholarship information and criteria before completing your scholarship application.
SCHOLARSHIP TYPES
Scholarships are payable as a reimbursement at the conference.
Lodging: Covers the equivalent of three nights of lodging ($456) at the host hotel; requires proof of lodging purchase or scholarship will be forfeited
Lodging & Travel: Covers the equivalent of three nights of lodging at the host hotel ($456), and $500 in travel assistance; requires proof of travel and lodging purchase or scholarship will be forfeited
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Applications will open on October 26, 2023, with an initial round of application review completed by November 20th. A second round of application review will open only if remaining funds are available. Applicants are highly encouraged to submit their application by the November 15th priority deadline for round one review.
Oct. 26 — Applications Open
Nov. 15 — Priority Deadline for Round One Review
Nov. 20 — Round One Review and Recipient Notification
Dec. 6 — Deadline for Round Two, if applicable
Dec. 10 — Round Two Review and Recipient Notification, if applicable
General Criteria and Requirements
Applicant must be attending on behalf of and be an active member of a current USAP member organization that is registered as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization
Applicant must provide a short statement detailing why they want to attend the conference and what they hope to gain from participation in the conference
Applicant must supply the two most recent Forms 990 for their organization
Applicant must supply a letter of endorsement on organization letterhead for their conference attendance from the president or chair of their organization
Priority will be given to individuals from organizations with gross revenue of $100,000 or less, with awards for those from larger organizations considered on a case-by-case basis as funds are available
No more than two individuals per organization will be eligible for a scholarship
Recipient Obligations
Scholarship recipients agree to:
Make intentional effort to meaningfully participate in all conference events
Be recognized and acknowledged at the conference and in conference publications as a scholarship recipient
Complete a post-conference survey (failure to complete the survey will result in ineligibility for any future scholarship assistance)
Communicate directly with USAP officials as soon as possible if their travel plans change, resulting in a need to voluntarily forfeit their scholarship
Award & Reimbursement Details
Applicant must pay the the conference registration fee at the time of registration. Scholarship recipients will be charged a conference registration rate of $245, regardless of when they register for the conference. If applicant receives a scholarship and has paid the regular or late rate, the difference will be refunded as part of the reimbursement received at the conference.
All costs for those receiving registration and lodging assistance will be reimbursed by USAP. Those receiving lodging assistance should independently reserve their room using their own debit or credit card to secure and pay for the reservation and any other incidentals
Recipients receiving travel assistance will be reimbursed for their costs up to $500.
Proof of travel and lodging purchase must be presented at time of reimbursement
Reimbursements will be made by check or electronically at the conference
For questions, please contact Matt Comer at matt.comer@usaprides.org.