2025 application period has concluded. Stay tuned for 2026 Symposium applications.
The Peter Klingeman Scholarship Program was created to provide a unique opportunity for individuals from underrepresented communities to attend the River Restoration Northwest Annual Symposium, which takes place at the beginning of February each year at Skamania Lodge, WA. Eligible professionals passionate about advancing their career in the field of river restoration and seeking the opportunity to learn from experts and network are encouraged to apply. The scholarship covers the full cost of registration, meals for the 3 days of the symposium, plus 2 nights of lodging and a $500 travel reimbursement.
For the 2025 Symposium, up to 12 scholarships will be awarded. Preference will be given to first time Symposium attendees, presenters or speakers at the Symposium, and individuals from underrepresented communities, including but not limited to, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and people from low-income backgrounds.
To apply for the scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:
1. You must be employed by a tribe, conservation district, or non-profit. These may include:
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- Native American Tribes or First Nations,
- Watershed councils/associations,
- Environmental education organizations,
- Regional fisheries enhancement groups,
- Salmon recovery regional organizations,
- Conservation districts, and/or
- Non-profit organizations related to rivers.
2. You must have a demonstrated interest and experience in the field of river restoration. This can be through your education, work, research, or personal projects.
3. You must submit a completed application form.
Each scholarship recipient will be awarded full registration (including meals) for the 3-day Symposium. Travel costs (mileage, flights, and meals while traveling) will be reimbursed up to $500. Two nights of lodging are included in the scholarship. Any additional lodging beyond the 2-nights provided or travel costs that exceed $500 must be covered by the recipient or their organization. Awardees will be given a code for registration and must register for the Symposium by December 31.
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Date |
Milestone |
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7/12/2024 |
The scholarship application period opens |
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9/20/2024 |
Completed applications are due by 11:59 PM PST |
| 9/21/2024 to 10/18/2024 | Applications compiled by the Coordinator, screened for eligibility and reviewed by the Scholarship Committee |
| 11/1/2024 | Scholarship awardees are notified by email. Scholarship awardees will be provided with a registration code and must complete symposium registration * |
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12/31/2024 |
Registration closes at 11:59 PM PST for scholarship recipients. If not registered, the scholarship is forfeited. |
* failure to register by the specified date will result in cancellation of the award
Registration includes all conference materials and meals, as follows:
- Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments Tuesday-Thursday
- Dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday
Lodging will be provided Tuesday night and Wednesday night. Scholarship awardees will automatically have their single room booked at Skamania Lodge by the RRNW facilities team. Details about the awardee’s room and check-in will be provided before the conference. If you wish to stay longer than the 2 nights provided, lodging information for Skamania Lodge and other nearby locations can be found here. Additional lodging needs beyond Tuesday night and Wednesday night will not be covered or reimbursed by RRNW and will need to be booked by the awardee.
Short courses (Monday) and the field trip (Friday) registration fees are not covered by the scholarship.
Recipients must register by 11:59 pm on the day indicated under timelines or forfeit their scholarship. If awarded a scholarship, you will receive a code to register for the Symposium with waived registration fees.
Individuals or their affiliated organizations are responsible for paying their own travel expenses and submitting them to RRNW for up to $500 in reimbursement after the Symposium is complete. Covered expenses are limited to mileage, airfare, and meals purchased while traveling.
Applications are reviewed by a Committee made up of members of the Board of Directors. Preference will be given to first-time Symposium attendees, speakers or presenters at the Symposium, and individuals from underrepresented communities, including but not limited to, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and people from low-income backgrounds. Awardees will be notified by email and receive a registration code that will be active for two weeks. Awardees failing to register by December 31 forfeit their scholarship. Forfeited scholarships will be awarded to candidates on a standby list based on the review committee's composite score.
No. Scholarships offered for the current Symposium are funded by RRNW and are not limited by geographic area. Previous state-specific funding has been eliminated by state budget cuts.
- Yes! Upon submission of the application form, you will receive an email confirming receipt of the application.
- You will be able to access your application by using the link in this email to change/make edits until the listed deadline.
Yes. As long as your organization meets the eligibility criteria stated above, you may apply.
Each awardee will receive an email from RRNW with instructions on how to complete their registration and confirm lodging needs.
Qualified Organization: For the purpose of RRNW Professional Scholarship eligibility, individuals from the following types of entities are considered eligible to receive assistance:
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a Lead Entities and FEGs are formal organizations created by the Washington State legislature
Be sure to check spam folders and/or other filters in your email account. All completed applications are notified of a decision.
Only if meeting the employment conditions described above. The RRNW Professional Scholarship program targets volunteers and professionals working in the field of stream restoration.
Each year, we recruit up to four student interns to assist with operations during the Symposium. In return for their service, student interns receive a reduced registration rate and shared lodging. For more information on the RRNW Student Intern program, please go to the Student Intern Page of the RRNW website and/or email volunteer@rrnw.org.
No. We are unable to provide scholarship assistance for these individuals at this time.
Each year RRNW receives 3 to 5 times as many applications as we have scholarships to award. Space at the Lodge is filled by December and the Symposium usually fills by mid-January. A December registration deadline for scholarship recipients provides an adequate planning horizon for RRNW volunteers and Skamania Lodge. It also provides a margin to re-award the scholarship to someone on the waiting list in the event of a cancellation.
Funding for the scholarship is generated by the Peter C. Klingeman Fund and other proceeds from donors, short-courses, sponsors, and the Symposium. Individual donations to the scholarship fund help to support participation in the Symposium by those who would otherwise not be able to attend.
As stated in the instructions (above) and on the application, all registrations must be completed by the specified date. It is the sole responsibility of the recipient to meet the conditions of the award.
You can send us an e-mail at Klingeman@rrnw.org.