The scholarships and fellowships provide recipients with the opportunity to attend and explore the operation of the field at the NRPA Annual Conference. A primary focus is to inspire future participation and leadership in NRPA and to develop professional contacts with leadership and members from around the nation. Recipients receive complimentary NRPA Annual Conference registration and a travel stipend.
The nomination period for the 2025 NRPA Scholarships and Fellowships was January 3 - March 28. 2025 Winners (listed below) will be recognized at the Best of the Best Ceremony at the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Get A Reminder about the 2026 Nomination Period
Want to learn how to create an engaging application? Check out this video: Taking the Mystery Out of the NRPA Awards Process
Young Professional Fellowships
The fellowship provides selected young professionals (up to 4) with the opportunity to explore the operation of NRPA and its governing bodies at the NRPA Annual Conference. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. A primary focus of the program is to inspire future participation and leadership in NRPA and to develop professional contacts.
Who should apply: NRPA members under 35 with 2 to 10 years of experience in parks and recreation who want to want to attend the NRPA Annual Conference and grow their professional network.
2025 Winners: Samantha Grainger, CPRP, Indian Trail (NC) Parks and Recreation
Megan Keul, CPRP, Kannapolis (NC) Parks & Recreation
Katie MacCammon, CPRP, Fairfax City (VA) Parks and Recreation
Sydney Paredes, CPRP, Schertz (TX) Parks, Recreation and Community Service
Diversity Scholarships
The NRPA Diversity Scholarship (up to 2) supports individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the parks and recreation community as well as those that demonstrate outstanding contributions serving diverse communities. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. A primary focus of the program is to inspire future participation and leadership in NRPA and to develop professional contacts.
Who should apply: Current members of NRPA from an underrepresented group in the park and recreation community and/or demonstrate outstanding contributions serving diverse communities specifically related to park and recreation programs and services.
2025 Winners: Jose Rodriguez, AFO, CPSI, Mount Vernon (WA) Parks & Recreation and Tina Royer, CPRP, Mesa (AZ) Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities
Student Scholarships
The Student Scholarship recognizes an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student for community service or contributions to the parks and recreation field. The scholarship provides selected students (up to 2) with the opportunity to explore the operation of the field at the NRPA Annual Conference. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. A primary focus of the program is to inspire future participation and leadership in NRPA and to develop contacts.
Who should apply: Student members of NRPA who are currently studying for a degree in parks and recreation. If you are excelling at your studies, desire to learn more about the field, and want to attend the NRPA Annual Conference and learn from other professionals in the field, you should apply.
2025 Winners: Olalekan Tunde-Ajayi, Clemson University and Jacob Vasquez, Texas A&M University
