Scholarships
The Charles P. Bell Conservation Scholarship
The Charles P. Bell Conservation Scholarships are sponsored by the Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust and the Conservation Federation of Missouri. The scholarships are named for Charles P. Bell, a past president of the CFM, whose family provided major funding for this program.
Eight scholarships are awarded each year. There is one graduate-level scholarship in the amount of $1000, one undergraduate scholarship in the amount of $1000, and six scholarships for elementary, high school, or youth group projects each in the amount of $250.
The graduate and undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in a field of study related to the management of natural resources, specifically fish, wildlife, forest, soil, and water. Applicants must be Missouri residents, and those applicants enrolled in Missouri schools will be given preference. Undergraduate applicants must have earned at least 60 hours of college credit.
Elementary, High School, Youth Group scholarships will be awarded to Missouri elementary or high school classes or youth groups who have ongoing or proposed projects related to natural resource conservation, especially those which entail education and physical involvement in the protection of the natural environment.
Charles P Bell Scholarship information and Application (Click Here)
For all scholarships, applications and letters of recommendation must be received by January 31.
If you have questions about the scholarships, email us.
Chambers Family Memorial Scholarship
Originally named the James D. Chambers Memorial Scholarship Fund, this scholarship was established in 1994 following the untimely passing of James (Jim) Chambers, the son of avid conservationist Glenn Chambers of Columbia, Missouri.
Jim was a brilliant student and exceptionally fine musician, having performed as a concert pianist at Carnegie Hall, and solo tenor singer in the London Opera House. Jim’s love for the outdoors and nature paralleled his enthusiasm for music. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. He also earned the Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America with gold and silver palms.
In 2017, Jim’s father, Glenn lost his courageous battle with cancer. Glenn was a nationally recognized conservationist and was honored in many ways over the course of his lifetime. Among his many credits was the William T. Hornady Gold Medal from the Boy Scouts of America – a rare lifetime achievement award given to a very small number of people historically, including Theodore Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold. Glenn was also a recipient of the Ducks Unlimited Distinguished Service Award, and the Master Conservationist Award by the Missouri Department of Conservation, to name a few of his honors.
After Glenn’s death, the name of the scholarship was changed to the Chambers Family Memorial Scholarship as a way to honor both father and son.
This is a Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) sponsored scholarship.
The Award – One scholarship will be awarded:
- One $1,000 undergraduate scholarship, or if a suitable candidate is not available,
- One $1,000 graduate scholarship may be awarded.
Who may apply – This scholarship is awarded annually to either 1) a junior/senior level undergraduate, or 2) a graduate student pursuing a degree related to waterfowl/waterbird biology/management, wetlands restoration/management, and/or wildlife biology/management. Preference will be given to students attending University of Missouri (Columbia) under the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands, and Aquatic Systems.
Secondarily open to students attending other Missouri Universities if pursuing studies/degrees described above.
The scholarship recognizes excellence in academics, leadership, and conservation education.
How to apply – Applications must include:
- The Application Form (Click link to access form)
- A brief essay (no longer than 2 pages) describing the student’s academic and professional goals, and a description of any ongoing research or related project work, if applicable.
- A current resume, including anticipated graduation date.
- Two letters of recommendation from natural resource professionals.
The Kirkham Family CFM Scholarship
The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Kirkham Family CFM Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to an upperclassman or graduate student who is currently a member of CFM (or whose family is a member of CFM) and is studying big game at an accredited college or university. This scholarship is intended to support the career development of a wildlife biologist. Applicants must be enrolled at a Missouri college or university.
Judd Kirkham was a Conservation Federation of Missouri Board Member, Past President, and Life Member.
Qualifications:
- Applicant must be a Missouri resident.
- Applicant must be an upperclassman or graduate student.
- Applicant must be studying big game.
- Applicant or applicant’s family must be a member of CFM
Please make sure you submit the following items:
- Applicant must include an official copy of their college/university transcript.
- Applicant must list community or school activities.
- Applicant should give a profile of their work experience (resume), if applicable.
- Applicant should make a statement of need to explain how the scholarship is intended to be used.
Amount of scholarship: $1,000.00. There will be one scholarship awarded annually.
Kirkham Scholarship Application Form
Applications and all other materials needed must be received by January 31.
Ed Stegner Natural Resource Scholarships
(A Foundation-funded Program)
The Foundation’s Ed Stegner Natural Resource Scholarships were established to provide major financial aid to encourage and assist students in five areas of natural resource management: fisheries, forestry, wildlife, parks and recreation, and soil and water conservation. Funding for this scholarship program was provided to the Foundation by Ed Stegner of Pilot Grove, Missouri. A Master Conservationist, Stegner is the former executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri and is especially known for his leadership role in the passage of the 1/8th of 1% conservation sales tax to fund the Conservation Department’s expanded program, Design for Conservation.
Amount of scholarship: $1,000 in each of the five areas.
Ed Stegner Scholarship Information and Application (Click Here)
If you have questions about the scholarships, email us.
Carl Morrow Graduate Scholarships
(A Foundation-funded Program)
The Foundation’s Carl Morrow Graduate Scholarships in Natural Resources provides major financial aid to encourage and assist Missouri graduate students in five areas of natural resource management: Fisheries, Forestry, Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Soil and Water Conservation.
Carl Morrow, Vice-President of Missouri Power and Light in Jefferson City, Missouri, was a dedicated and long-time citizen conservationist who served in many volunteer positions with the Conservation Federation of Missouri and as the first Chairman of the Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust. Through his efforts, the Foundation became a firmly established and financially viable public trust. The Foundation honors his memory with this graduate scholarship program.
Carl Morrow Scholarship Information and Application (Click Here)
If you have questions about the scholarships, email us.
Minority Natural Resource Scholarship
(A Foundation-funded Program)
The Conservation Foundation’s Minority Natural Resource Scholarship has been established to provide financial aid to encourage and assist minority students who are interested in a career in natural resource management, especially in the fields of Fisheries, Wildlife, Forestry, Parks and Recreation, and Soil or Water Conservation. The Foundation’s goal is ultimately to increase cultural diversity in Missouri’s state and federal natural resource agencies.
Amount of Scholarship: $1,000
Minority Scholarship Information and Application (Click Here)
If you have any questions about the scholarship, email us.
The Nana Family Scholarship
The Nana family supports conservation efforts in Missouri and beyond. This scholarship is to honor the outdoor legacy Rohil Nana, a lifelong outdoorsman whose passion for hunting led to the development of conservation management efforts for the Himalayan ibex in the Indian subcontinent.
The goal of this scholarship is to support ethnic diversity within natural resource management. Applicants should be an individual of ethnic minority and must be enrolled in a field of study related to the management of natural resources, specifically fish, wildlife, forest, soil, and water at either the graduate or undergraduate level.
Ethnic Minority Heritage Defined As:
- Asian / Indian Subcontinent
- African American
- Hispanic or Latino American
- Native Americans and Alaska Native
- Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander
Applicants must submit the following information:
- The Application Form
- An essay (no longer than 2 pages) describing the graduate student’s research or special project work and how it will or has benefited natural resources conservation, or the undergraduate student’s academic/professional goals and reasons behind these goals.
- A current resume, including anticipated graduation date
- Two letters of recommendation from natural resource professionals.
Amount of scholarship: $1,000. There will be one scholarship awarded annually.
Application and all materials need to be received by January 31.