Conference Grants

Conference Grants

Conference attendance allows people to meet one another, as well as learn and discuss issues and ideas relevant to their work. As such, members are encouraged to apply to attend the SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition and Inclusion Conference and Exposition.

Workplace Policy Conference

Workplace Policy Conference Grants

Conference attendance allows people to meet one another, as well as learn and discuss issues and ideas relevant to their work.  Both members and non-members are encouraged to apply for a Workplace Policy Conference grant.

Eligibility

  • To be eligible for an award, applicants must be:
    • Enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate program OR graduate program from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.

How to Apply

Complete online application including:

  • Contact & demographic information
  • Short essay questions about your career and learning objectives
  • Your academic transcript 

Please print/download your application for your records before you submit it. Once you submit your application, the SHRM Foundation will not be able to return it to you, in whole or in part, for any reason.



Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed and scored by groups of SHRM volunteers and are reviewed by staff. The review committee will select individuals whom they believe are most likely to leverage this learning opportunity. They will seek candidates who are eager to learn and plan to apply the skills and knowledge gained to benefit their careers, their organizations, and their communities.  All decisions are final.

Grant Distribution

If you are selected to receive a Workplace Policy Conference grant, a member of the SHRM Foundation team will work with the recipient(s) on conference registration and other related details.


 


Inclusion Conference

Grants are valued at approximately $3,000 and include: 

  • Complimentary full-conference registration*
  • Up to three-night hotel stay**
  • $500 travel stipend***
*Pre-conference sessions, seminars, and guest registration not included and arranged by SHRM Foundation staff in coordination with the recipient.
**Housing will be provided at a conference hotel of SHRM’s choice
*** SHRM Foundation will reimburse recipients for all travel-related expenses up to $500 following submission of itemized receipts. 

Who is Eligible?

  • Current SHRM member (professional or student)
  • No organizational support or reimbursement to attend the conference
  • Has not been the recipient of the Inclusion Award in the past three years 

How to Apply
Complete the online application form to include:

  • Contact & demographic information
  • Three essay questions about your career and learning objectives
  • Your resume
  • A statement of support from a supervisor or colleague* 

*Statement may be completed by a co-worker, current or former supervisor, professor, volunteer colleague, or other professional contacts. The applicant must request the statement of support through the online applicationThe statement of support is made up of a series of short answer questions and must be completed via invitation through the online application. Statements from family members will not be accepted.


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Selection Criteria 

The review committee will seek candidates who are eager to learn and plan to apply the skills and knowledge gained to benefit their careers, their organizations, and their communities. New HR professionals are encouraged to apply. 

All applicants will be notified of results via email. 

Expectations of Grant Recipients

If selected for an award, applicants must confirm their ability to attend the event. Winners will be expected to maintain a current SHRM membership throughout the year. They must be willing to sign a release form so they can be featured in conference promotions, including--but not limited to--live appearances on stage, press and video interviews, and sessions with sponsors and SHRM Foundation board members. Grant winners will also be expected to provide a follow-up interview to SHRM and/or the SHRM Foundation to discuss their experiences and share what they learned. 


Questions?
Contact us at shrmscholarships@shrm.org





SHRM Annual Conference & Expo

These professional development grants are targeted to HR professionals and students who are least likely to receive financial support from their organizations to attend the conference. Valued at nearly $3,000, each award includes:   


  • Complimentary full-conference registration*
  • Up to four-night hotel stay**
  • $500 travel stipend
*Pre-conference sessions, seminars, and guest registration not included.
**Housing will be provided at a hotel of SHRM’s choice.

Who is Eligible

To be eligible for an award, applicants must be ONE of the following:

  • Employed full or part-time by: 
    • A for-profit organization with fewer than 250 employees
    • A non-profit organization 
    • A state, local, tribal or federal government, or the U.S. military 
  • Unemployed and/or a full-time student

In addition, all applicants must: 

  • Have a SHRM membership as of the final date applications are due   
  • Not receive any organizational support or reimbursement to attend the conference
  • Has not been the recipient of the SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition
    Award in the past three years 
Individuals are ineligible if they are not SHRM members or are already registered to attend the SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition.

Expectations of Scholarship Recipients

If selected for an award, applicants must confirm their ability to attend the event. Winners will be expected to maintain a current SHRM membership throughout the year. They must be willing to sign a release form so they can be featured in conference promotions, including--but not limited to--live appearances on stage, press and video interviews, and sessions with sponsors and board members. Scholarship winners will also be expected to provide a follow-up interview after the event to discuss their experiences and share what they learned. 

Application Requirements

The online application form includes:

  • Contact & demographic information
  • Three short essay questions about your career and learning objectives
  • Your resume
  • A statement of support from your supervisor, professor, or colleague*

*Statement may be completed by a co-worker, current or former supervisor, professor, volunteer colleague, or other professional contacts. The applicant must request the statement of support through the online applicationThe statement of support is made up of a series of short answer questions and must be completed via invitation through the online application. Statements from family members will not be accepted. 
 


The review committee will select individuals whom they believe are most likely to leverage this learning opportunity. They will seek candidates who are eager to learn and plan to apply the skills and knowledge gained to benefit their careers, their organizations, and their communities. HR professionals who are new to the field are encouraged to apply. 

Questions? 

Contact us at shrmscholarships@shrm.org