Grants and Scholarships
SHAPE America offers grant opportunities for health and physical education professionals, future professionals and programs. Take a look below at the scholarships, grants, funding opportunities, and resources available for students and professionals in the health and physical education field.
Scholarships
Ruth Abernathy Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships
Since 1995, SHAPE America has awarded scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate student members majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation or dance. The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship, developed by the past presidents of SHAPE America to honor deserving students, is awarded to three undergraduate students and two graduate students of each year. All scholarships are presented at the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo held in the spring. Undergraduate awards are $1,250 each and graduate awards are $1,750 each. Recipients also receive a complimentary three-year SHAPE America membership.
Undergraduate Scholarship Eligibility
- Applicant must be a current member of SHAPE America. Undergraduate students may join at the time of application.
- Applicant must be majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation or dance.
- Applicant must have college junior or senior class standing at a baccalaureate‐granting college/university (completed a minimum of 60 semester/90 quarter units of college courses).
- Applicant must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 overall on a 4.0 grade point scale. GPA scores from all institutions attended in pursuit of applicant’s current degree must be factored into the overall GPA.
- Applicant must be a first time Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship recipient. Previous recipients of SHAPE America’s National Presidential Scholarship are ineligible.
Graduate Scholarship Eligibility
- Applicant must be a current member of SHAPE America. Graduate students may join at the time of application.
- Applicant must be majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation or dance.
- Applicant must be enrolled in a matriculated full‐time masters or doctoral program. *Doctoral candidates working on their dissertation must be no more than one year beyond coursework completion.
- Applicant must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 overall on a 4.0 grade point scale. The following guidelines should be used when reporting the GPA: First semester Master’s and Doctoral candidates: GPA based on most recent degree obtained. GPA scores from all institutions attended in pursuit of applicant’s most recent degree must be factored into the overall GPA. Master’s/Doctoral candidates beyond first semester: GPA based on applicant’s current program. GPA scores from all institutions attended in pursuit of applicant’s current degree must be factored into the overall GPA.
- Applicant must be a first time Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship recipient. Previous recipients of SHAPE America’s National Presidential Scholarship are ineligible. Undergraduate recipients are ineligible for the graduate scholarship award.
Barabara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship
The Barabara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship awarded annually to a master’s level student who is currently enrolled in a health education program. Recipients may spend the award in any manner they desire. Recipients will also receive a one-year complimentary student membership in SHAPE America.
Eligibility
- The award is open to a master’s level student who is currently enrolled in a school-based health education program at an accredited college/university in the United States or a U.S. territory.
- To be eligible, the applicant must have a minimum current overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the SHAPE America application deadline. Prior SHAPE America scholarship recipients are not eligible.
Bill Kane Undergraduate Scholarship
The award is a $1,000 scholarship awarded annually to an outstanding student officially recognized as an undergraduate health education major at any four-year university/college. Recipients may spend the award in any manner they desire. Recipients will also receive a one-year complimentary student membership in SHAPE America.
Eligibility
- The award is open to any student officially recognized as an undergraduate school-based health education major at an accredited college/university in the United States or a U.S. territory.
- To be eligible, the applicant must be currently enrolled full-time (12 hours) at a college or university for both the fall and spring semesters of the academic year during which the student is applying. The student must have sophomore, junior or senior status at the time of application.
- Applicants must have a minimum, current overall grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale at the SHAPE America application deadline. Prior SHAPE America undergraduate award recipients may not apply.
For all Scholarships: After reviewing eligibility requirements for the scholarship you are applying for, please complete the scholarship application form.
Please note that applications are due October 15.
Apply for a ScholarshipGrants
Thomas L. McKenzie Research Award
The Thomas L. McKenzie Research Award promotes the development of future researchers in the field of physical education, physical activity, and public health. To support this purpose, SHAPE America will provide one or more annual awards of up to $2,000 to graduate students or early career professionals (within 4 years of graduation) who are members of SHAPE America.
Primary consideration will be given to the study of physical activity in natural environments such as schools, parks, and home settings (not laboratories) and as it relates to disease prevention (not rehabilitation). Funds will be used for the study of behavior, not mentalistic (e.g., self-concept, literacy) or biological (e.g., heart rate, cholesterol) outcomes. Studies can relate to the promotion of physical activity at the individual, group, or societal (e.g., policy) level.
Eligibility
Current graduate students or early career professionals (within 4 years of graduation) conducting behavioral research related to the study of physical activity policy or promotion are encouraged to apply. Preference is given to those with physical activity/physical education backgrounds focusing their research efforts on issues related to physical activity and public health.
Grantee Requirements
- All grants are made payable to the principal investigator’s university/institution. All such universities/institutions must have an established Institutional Review Board (IRB) and a Grants/Contracts Office or other office accountable for financial tracking and reporting.
- IRB approval and informed consent for human subjects documentation must be submitted to the Research Council for grant awardees prior to release of funds from SHAPE America.
- A progress report will be required in addition to a final written report including budget and a summary of findings for SHAPE America’s use in promoting the program and its recipients.
- All unexpended funds must be returned to SHAPE America in full within 60 days of the final written report.
- All written documents including publications and presentation materials and print and electronic communications that result from successful funding of this application must include the following or a similar statement: “This work was supported by funds received from the Thom McKenzie SHAPE America Research Award Program.”
After reviewing the eligibility and grantee requirements, please complete the application form by December 11 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Apply NowTommy Wilson Memorial Grant
Dr. George T. Wilson and his wife, Irene, established the Tommy Wilson Memorial Award in honor of their youngest son, Tommy, who was born with cerebral palsy and passed away in 1974 at the age of 16. Because of Tommy, Dr. Wilson became involved in recreation for developmentally disabled individuals. Dr. Wilson is remembered as a great leader and inspiration in the field of leisure and recreation.
His legacy carries on through the Tommy Wilson Memorial Grant. The grant supports recreational programs for individuals with disabilities. Grants are awarded for up to $1,500 total per year. Applicants may apply for $500 to $1,500. SHAPE America reserves the right to not award any funds in any given year.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered):
- The program must provide a specific direct service to individuals with disabilities.
- The program must focus on recreational pursuits for individuals with disabilities.
- The applicant must have a successful record of programming for individuals with disabilities.
- The applicant must be a nonprofit organization.
- Funds must go directly to supporting individuals with disabilities in recreational activities (e.g., equipment, housing, registration fees, facilities).
- Grants may not be used to cover administrative costs.
The Tommy Wilson Grant cycle has been moved back to better coincide with the school year and will open March 1. Look for the application announcement by following SHAPE America on social media.
The deadline for the Tommy Wilson grant is June 1.
After reviewing eligibility requirements, please complete the application form.
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