Scholarships

Aspiring Emergency Managers Online (AEMO) is proud to provide resources and guidance for scholarships and professional development opportunities in emergency management, disaster response, business continuity, and for first responders. Whether you’re pursuing a college degree, advanced certification, or specialized training, our curated listings help you access funding, mentorship, and programs designed to advance your career and strengthen community resilience.

Emergency Management & Public Safety

IAEM Scholarship Program

• Offered by: International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)
• Criteria: Full-time undergraduate and graduate students, and part-time graduate students worldwide pursuing degrees in emergency management or closely related fields.
• Application Period: March 31 – May 30 annually.
• Details: Competitive scholarships awarded to students demonstrating academic excellence and commitment to the field.

More information: https://www.iaem.org/2025-scholarship-application

Julius Becton Jr. Memorial Scholarship

• Offered by: The Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM)
• Purpose: Honors Lt. Gen. Julius Becton Jr., the first minority to serve as FEMA
  Director.
• Criteria: Open to diverse students pursuing careers in emergency management. Must be a U.S Resident.
• Application Period: N/A
• Details: Eligible students will be awarded up to $5,000.00 towards tuition-related expenses for the academic year.

More information: https://i-diem.org/julius-becton/

Dr. Terran Jordan International Excellence in Leadership, STEM & Emergency Management Scholarship

• Purpose: The Dr. Terran Jordan International Excellence in Leadership, STEM & Emergency Management Scholarship is designed to empower the next generation of bold, innovative leaders who are committed to advancing the fields of STEM, emergency management, and crisis leadership. This scholarship honors academic excellence, resilience, and leadership qualities essential for those driving change in disaster response, technological advancement, and global crisis management.
• Criteria:
• High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
• 18+ years old
• 3.0 GPA or higher
• Black students
• Must demonstrate leadership experience, problem-solving skills, or contributions to STEM, emergency management, or crisis response efforts
• Application Deadline: Nov. 1, 2025
• Winners Announced: Dec. 1, 2025
• Award: $1,000

More information: https://bold.org/scholarships/dr-terran-jordan-international-excellence-in-leadership-stem-and-emergency-management-scholarship/

CARESTAR Foundation Scholarships for Master of Emergency Management Science

• Offered by: University of the Pacific
• Purpose: This scholarship supports graduate students who are California residents and are enrolled in the Master of Emergency Management and Science (MEMS) Program within the School of Health Sciences. Funded by the CARESTAR Foundation, the award aims to advance health outcomes for all Californians by investing in the future of emergency and prehospital care. Guided by a strong commitment to racial equity, the CARESTAR Foundation seeks to foster a more diverse and inclusive EMS workforce that better reflects and serves California’s diverse communities.
• Criteria:
• Must be a California resident
• Agree to focus your capstone project on advancing equitable practices within your workplace or community to improve health outcomes.
• Application Deadline: N/A
• Winners Announced: N/A
• Award: N/A

More information: https://www.pacific.edu/healthsciences/programs/emergency-management/scholarships

Addison E. Slayton Jr. Scholarship

• Offered by: Virginia Emergency Management Association (VEMA)
• Purpose: The Executive Board, recognizing the importance of education in promoting emergency management, established the “Addison E. Slayton, Jr. Scholarship”, administered by the Scholarship Committee. Recognized for his significant contributions to the Commonwealth of Virginia, LTC Slayton was a graduate of the Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS degree in Social Sciences. He is a graduate of the Virginia Executive Development Institute, United States Army Military Police Basic and Advanced Course, Army Command and General Staff College and Army Inspector General School. Mr. Slayton served in a variety of positions in the Commonwealth of Virginia throughout his career. The mission of the program is to raise money through VEMA sponsored activities, outside donations, and through academic partnerships to fund at least one college student scholarship each year to an individual(s) pursuing a career in emergency management. The committee shall provide guidance and recommendations to the Board of Directors on the selection process and the dissemination of funding. The scholarship winners are announced at the annual conference held each year.
• Criteria:
• Student must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, OR a VEMA member, OR attend a Virginia college or university, OR work in Virginia.
• Student must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university (may be online) and have declared a major or minor in Emergency Management (EM) or Disaster/Fire Science (DFS) or Homeland Security (HS).
• Student must obtain an overall grade point average of at least a 2.5 and at least a 2.5 on all EM/DFS/HS coursework for undergraduate work and a 3.0 for graduate work. Science (DFS) or Homeland Security (HS).
• Student must provide evidence (per the application document)of a commitment to acareer in emergency management such as participation in appropriate professional development opportunities (seminars, workshops, professional meetings) and membership in relevant professional associations (such as the International Emergency
  Management Student Association, the Student Association at VEMA, or Rho Epsilon Mu or other academic honorary societies for emergency professionals).
• Student must demonstrate leadership qualities and involvement in community service activities.
• Student must submit a complete application per the application document on the website.
• Application Deadline: Every year in Feburary
• Winners Announced: N/A
• Award: N/A

More information: https://www.vemaweb.org/slaytonscholarship

Chief John M. Eversole Endownment Scholarship for Hazardous Matrerials Responders

• Offered by: Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation
• Purpose: In 2007, YLD created the John M. Eversole endowment with the generous support of family, friends, hazardous materials professional associations, and corporations from across the United States. The Endowment supports awards and scholarships designated specifically for members of the hazardous materials response community. Throughout his career Chief Eversole was a giver, and mentored a significant number of people in the emergency response world. He served his entire career with the Chicago Fire Department, rising through the ranks from firefighter to Chief of Special Operations. He was the founder of the department’s Hazardous Materials Response Unit and was widely respected as a leader, innovator, and proponent of firefighter and hazmat responder safety issues. As Chairman of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Hazardous Materials Committee, he frequently testified before Congress on Homeland Security and firefighter safety issues. He was an original member of NFPA-472 (HazMat / WMD Response Technical Committee) and served as Chairman for over 10 years.
• Criteria:
• 3 Letters of recommedations
• Answer 3 brief essay questions
• Application Deadline: October 30
• Winners Announced: N/A
• Award: Up to $4000, and one special project award up to $10,000 is available.

More information: https://yld.org/chief-john-m-eversole-endowment-scholarship-for-hazardous-materials-responders/

Ronny J. Coleman Fire and Emergency Services Leader of the Future Scholarship

• Offered by: Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
• Purpose: This scholarship honors Ronny J. Coleman, former State Fire Marshal for the State of California, who was widely known as a certified Fire Chief and a Master Instructor in the California Fire Service Training and Education System. The scholarship seeks to recognize high-achieving students pursuing public safety careers and is provided by the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute (IPSLEI).
• Criteria:
• Be currently enrolled in 6 or more semester credits of associate degree, college-level coursework through December.
• Enroll at least part-time at a two-year or four-year college the following spring semester.
• Completed 45 or more semester credits by December.
• 3.50 or higher GPA on coursework completed in the last 5 years.
• Major in Fire Science, Fire Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Fire & Emergency Services Administration, Community Risk Reduction, Fire Engineering, Fire Prevention, Public Safety Education, or a closely related field.
• Not be a pre-major or certificate student.
• Academic record free from suspension, probation, or other disciplinary actions.
• Hold a residency status that makes you eligible to apply for Federal Financial Aid (review residency status documentation here).
• Priority: PTK members in good standing.
• Application Deadline: Dec. 2, 2025
• Winners Announced: N/A
• Award: $1,250 (mininum of 2 scholarships awarded annually)

More information: https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/ronny-j-coleman-fire-and-emergency-services-leader-of-the-future-scholarship/

The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award 2026

• Offered by: The Samuel Hunting Public Service Award
• Purpose: The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides $30,000 stipends for graduating college seniors to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for one year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career.
• Criteria:
• All graduating students from accredited U.S. colleges.
• Awards will be based on the quality of the proposal, academic record, and other personal achievements. Finalists will be personally interviewed prior to selection of the award recipient(s).
• Students are encouraged to develop their own proposals for public service in the U.S. or abroad. The proposal may encompass any activity that furthers the public good. It can be undertaken by the student alone or working through established charitable, religious, educational, governmental, or other public service organizations. Please check our FAQs for additional information. Students are encouraged to develop their own proposals for public service in the U.S. or abroad. The proposal may encompass any activity that furthers the public good. It can be undertaken by the student alone or working through established charitable, religious, educational, governmental, or other public service organizations. Please check our FAQs for additional information.
• Application Deadline: Jan. 9, 2026
• Award granted: Late April
• Award: $15,000 is awarded at the start of the project; and $15,000 awarded upon receipt of six-month progress report.

More information: https://www.samuelhuntingtonaward.org/apply

Timothy L. Correll Foundation Memorial Scholarships

• Offered by: The Timothy L. Correll Foundation Memorial Scholarships
• Purpose: Our mission is to find and grant scholarships to dedicated individuals who aspire to go to school to train to serve their communities as nurses or emergency responders. To be considered for a TLCF Scholarship, student applicants must be a Minnesota resident and are accepted and/or enrolled in an undergraduate program in an accredited College or University in one of these three programs: fire science, E.M.T., paramedics or nursing. TLCF Memorial Scholarships are awarded annually to both traditional and non-traditional students who demonstrate initiative, leadership and service to their community. They are committed to completing their program and have drive, energy, and enthusiasm for their work.
• Criteria:
• Complete the student application form.
• Submit Letters of Recommendations
• Students must have completed one or more semesters of their program and submitted a transcript schowing satisfactory academic proggress and a Verfication of Enrollment at the time of application.
• Application Deadline: Mar. 20 (Annually)
• Award granted:
• Award: $750 (May make additional awards based upon available funds)

More information: https://tlcfoundationinc.org/scholarships.html

Business Continuity

DRI International Scholarships

Veterans Outreach Program (VOP) Scholarship

• Eligibility: U.S. veterans transitioning into emergency response, crisis management, business continuity, and disaster recovery professions.
• Benefits: Free business continuity education course, qualifying examination, and certification application fees.

More information: https://foundation.drii.org/veterans-outreach-program/scholarship

Women in Business Continuity (WBCM) Scholarship

• Eligibility: Women and allies pursuing careers in business continuity, emergency management, and organizational resilience.
• Benefits: Free BCLE 2000 course, qualifying exam, certification application fees, and up to $500 in dependent care assistance

More inforamtion: https://www.dri.ca/wbcm_scholarship.php?

Corp Secruity - International CBCS Scholarship

• Certification: Certified Business Continuity Specialist (CBCS)
• Eligibility: Minimum of 3 years of work experience in business continuity, resiliency, or disaster recovery roles.
• Benefits: 100% scholarship covering training course and exam fee

More Information: https://corpsecurity.org/scholarship-cbcs/