December 24, 2019
The application process opens January 1, 2020 for two Outdoor Writers Association of America® (OWAA) programs that annually support the education and training of outdoor communicators. One is the John Madson Fellowship for continuing education opportunities for professional outdoor communicators. The second opportunity is the Bodie McDowell Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate college students.
The John Madson Fellowship
The John Madson Fellowship honors the legacy of one of OWAA’s most talented and respected writers. Read more about him in the online article “John Madson: Words for at Least a Thousand Years.”
In 2020, OWAA will award up to $3,000 to selected outdoor communicators seeking to enhance their professional skills as writers, photographers, videographers, broadcasters, etc. The money can be used to attend OWAA’s annual conference, college courses or professional seminars and can be applied to tuition, registration, room and board costs, as well as qualifying travel expenses.
Grants are distributed as reimbursements for expenses incurred by the recipient(s).
To apply, go to www.owaa.submittable.com to create a free account, which allows access to the John Madson Fellowship application form. Applications must be submitted using this online form.
The application deadline is March 1, 2020.
The Bodie McDowell Scholarship
The Bodie McDowell Scholarship is named in honor of a former OWAA president. It rewards outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who are involved in and preparing to devote a substantial amount of their life’s work to outdoor writing, radio and television, wildlife photography, art, lecturing or video and film making.
Ideal candidates are talented communicators with outdoor interests who can demonstrate a record of accomplishment in and commitment to the fields of outdoor communications. Many past scholarship winners have become well-known professionals, including the first recipient who later became president of OWAA.
OWAA’s Endowment Trustees have allocated a total of $24,000 in Bodie McDowell Scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year. Individual distributions vary, but awards can range from $1,000 to $5,000. Awardees also receive a complimentary one-year student membership in OWAA.
To apply, go to www.owaa.submittable.com anytime after January 1, 2020 and create a free account, which allows access to the Bodie McDowell Scholarship application form. Applications must be submitted using this online form.
The application deadline is March 1, 2020.
Both grants are supported by endowments that thrive primarily through member contributions and fundraising efforts. Funds are invested and managed by OWAA Endowment trustees. For information on how to donate to either fund, visit https://owaa.org/store/donation/voluntary-contribution/.