Klingeman Professional Stipend

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, travel, accommodation, and meals for the duration of the symposium.

For the 2024 Symposium, up to 12 scholarships will be awarded. Preference will be given to first time Symposium attendees 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:

    • 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.

AmountTimelineImportant InformationEvaluation and SelectionFAQs
Amount
Each scholarship recipient will be awarded full registration (includes meals), lodging, and up to $500 reimbursement for travel. Awardees will be given a code for registration and must register for the Symposium by December 31.

Date

Milestone

11/01/23

  Stipend application period opens

12/1/23

  Completed applications due by 11:59PM PST
12/2/23 to 12/15/23 Applications compiled by Coordinator, screened for eligibility, reviewed by Stipend Committee
12/16/2023   Stipend awardees notified by email. Stipend awardees will be provided with a registration code and must complete symposium registration  *

12/31/2023

  Registration closes at 11:59PM PST for stipend recipients. If not registered, the stipend is forfeited.

* failure to register by the specified date will result in cancellation of the award

Important Information

Registration includes all conference materials and meals, as follows:

  • Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments Tuesday-Thursday
  • Dinner Tuesday and Wednesday

Lodging will be provided Tuesday through Thursday. If you wish to stay longer, lodging information for Skamania Lodge and other nearby locations can be found here.

Short courses (Monday) and the field trip (Friday) registration fees are not covered.

Recipients must register by 11:59pm on the day indicated under timelines or forfeit their stipend. If awarded, you will receive a code to register for the Symposium.

Individuals or their affiliated organizations are responsible for paying their own travel expenses and submitting them to RRNW for reimbursement.

Evaluation, Selection, and Registration

Applications are reviewed by a Committee made up of members of the Board of Directors. Preference will be given to first time Symposium attendees 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 stipend. Forfeited stipends will be awarded to candidates on a standby list based on the review committee's composite score.

FAQs
In the past, some stipends (scholarships) offered by RRNW have had state residency criteria. I didn't see that this year. Are there residency-based eligibility requirements?

No. Stipends 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.

Will I receive an email confirming receipt of my application?

  • Yes! Upon submission of the application form, you will receive an email confirming receipt of application.
  • You will be able to access your application by using the link in this email to change/make edits until the listed deadline.


Employees of my organization have received stipends or scholarships to attend RRNW in the past. Are we eligible to apply again?

Yes. As long as your organization meets the eligibility criteria stated above, you may apply.

I received notification I have been awarded an RRNW Professional Stipend, now what?

Each awardee will receive an email from RRNW with an agreement form attachment. Once the form is completed, signed, and returned to RRNW, awardee will receive instructions on how to complete their registration or lodging.

Is my organization eligible?

Qualified Organization: For the purpose of RRNW Professional Stipend eligibility, individuals from the following types of entities are considered eligible to receive assistance:

  • watershed councils
  • watershed groups
  • conservation districts
  • Lead Entitiesa
  • environmental education organizations
  • Fisheries Enhancement Groupsa
  • salmon recovery organizations
  • Native American Tribes or First Nations
  • non-profit organizations that are involved in stream, riparian, and watershed restoration work

a Lead Entities and FEGs are formal organizations created by the Washington State legislature


The award notification date has passed and I haven't heard anything. What does that mean?

Be sure to check spam folders and/or other filters in your email account.  All completed applications are notified of a decision.

Are students eligible for RRNW Professional Stipends?

Only if meeting the employment conditions described above. The RRNW Professional Stipend program targets volunteers and professionals working in the field of stream restoration.


What opportunities exist for students that don't meet RRNW Professional Stipend employment criteria?

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.

Are employees of municipal, state, or federal agencies eligible?

No. We are unable to provide stipend assistance for these individuals at this time.

The symposium isn't until February, but you require recipients to register in December or lose their stipend. What gives?

Each year RRNW receives 3 to 5 times as many applications as we have stipends to award. Space at the Lodge is filled by December and the Symposium usually fills by mid-January. A December registration deadline for stipend recipients provides an adequate planning horizon for RRNW volunteers and Skamania Lodge. It also provides a margin to re-award the stipend to someone on the waiting list in the event of a cancellation.

How is the RRNW Professional Stipend Program funded?

Funding for the stipend is generated by the Peter C. Klingeman Fund and other proceeds from donors, short-courses, sponsors, and the Symposium. Individual donations to the stipend fund help to support participation in the Symposium by those who would otherwise not be able to attend.


I forwarded my award notification to my administrative support staff and they failed to complete my registration on-time. What now?

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.

Whom should I contact if I have more questions?

You can send us an e-mail at Klingeman@rrnw.org.