Scholarships and Travel Awards Application Information
Students
Minnesota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (MNAFS) Undergraduate Scholarships
In the fall of each year, the Minnesota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society calls for undergraduate students to apply for its competitive scholarships, which are designated below. The scholarship competition is open to any Minnesota junior or senior undergraduate pursuing a degree in fisheries, water resources, aquatic biology, or related field such as ecology or environmental science with an aquatic component. Please inform your undergraduate students with an interest in aquatic biology about our scholarships.
NUASF EE Mecklenburg Environmental Scholarship
The Chapter partners with the New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen to offer this scholarship. It is awarded to a student whose demonstrated levels of leadership, passion, and commitment to understanding and protecting fisheries and their environments are considered exemplary for an undergraduate student. The award carries a $900 stipend, waives the registration fee for the Chapter’s Annual Meeting, and covers the lodging costs associated with meeting attendance.
MNAFS Chapter Scholarships
The Chapter awards up to two additional Chapter Scholarships, depending on the quality of the applicant pool and availability of funds. These awards typically carry a stipend of $200 to $400, waives the registration fee for the Chapter’s Annual Meeting, and covers the lodging costs associated with meeting attendance.
Application Deadline: January 20, 2026 – 5 pm
MNAFS Undergrad Scholarship Announcement 2025
MNAFS Undergrad Scholarship Application 2025
MNAFS 2025 Travel Award
Travel awards in the amount of $600 each, for up to five students or retirees, to help them attend the Feb 2026 chapter meeting in Duluth, Minnesota. These travel awards are separate from the student scholarship application. Students may apply for both, but likelihood of receiving both may be limited by number of applications received; the chapter wants to help as many members attend as possible.
Travel Award MNAFS Announcement 2025
MNAFS 2025 Travel Award Application
North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society (NCD)
Joan Duffy Student Travel Award
Each chapter of the NCD provides travel awards to student members to attend the annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife conference.
Who can apply: Students currently enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities.
Award purpose: To assist a student who might not otherwise be able to travel to the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.
Award: A single $400 grant ($200 from MNAFS matched by $200 from NCD).
How to apply: Email your name, college information, contact information, a short description (< 100 words) indicating why you want to attend the Midwest Conference to the current acting MNAFS President (eric.altena@state.mn.us) by 21 Jan 2024.
Additional information:
NCD – Joan Duffy Student Travel Award Information
Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Information
Walleye Technical Committee (WTC) Award
The WTC provides an annual travel award for a student presenting research of interest to the committee at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Awards are $100 from the WTC and may include matching funds from the winner’s state chapter.
Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award
The Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award was created to recognize undergraduate and graduate students for their achievements in fisheries or wildlife management at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.
NCD – Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award
AFS
John E. Skinner Memorial Fund
The fund provides monetary travel awards for deserving graduate students or exceptional undergraduate students to attend the AFS annual meeting. Any student who is active in fisheries or related aquatic disciplines is eligible to apply.
AFS – John E. Skinner Memorial Fund
Outstanding Student Subunit Award
Recognizes outstanding professionalism, active resource protection, and enhancement programs, as well as a strong commitment to the mission of the Society. One award is given to a student subunit.
AFS – Outstanding Student Subunit Award
Student Writing Contest
Presented to a graduate or undergraduate student who submits an outstanding short report about their original research that combines scientifically-sound writing with an appeal to a general audience.
Professionals
AFS
Young Professional Travel Award
The award is designed to promote meeting attendance of young professionals who have made substantial contributions to the field through continued education, outreach and AFS service. The award provides up to $850 in travel support and a 1 year membership to AFS.