You are encouraged to participate in the Society’s efforts to recognize the deserving person, facilities, and programs that advance parks and recreation services. Award applications for 2026 are due by July 31, 2026. (Conference Scholarship due June 30, 2026)
Nominee must have been a member or actively engaged with the NRPEMS, NRPA, or local state association for (10) years.
Must have displayed outstanding leadership through committee work (e.g., served on one or more committees for three (3) years or more) or through Board membership (e.g., during two or more consecutive terms have accepted responsibilities and performed services above and beyond accepted standards.)
Must have maintained high professional standards (e.g., through service and deed and has typified the meaning of a park and/or recreation professional.
Nominee initiated and sponsored outstanding recreation and park programs at the local, state or national level for ten (10) or more years.
Programs must be lasting in value and/or be an initial project that has served as the standard for other projects as the local, state, or national level.
Nominee must have held a NRPEMS membership for a minimum of three (3) years. Must have performed a service to the Society in an outstanding manner (e.g., committee work for more than three (3) years). Must have served one (1) term as a Board member and during that time have accepted responsibilities and performed services above and beyond accepted standards.
Nominee must have one of the following: displayed innovative recreation programming, must have developed innovation play equipment and has had a special benefit to mankind, committees, the Society or the parks and recreation field.
Nominee made an outstanding contribution to parks and recreation in one of the below categories:
1) Recognized publication/media regarding parks and/or recreation. 2) Partnership that enhanced Parks and Recreation 3) Sponsorship that impacted Parks and Recreation
Initiation and sponsorship of an outstanding recreation and park program at the local, state or national level for one (1) or more years.
Must have more than (2) years of experience as a leader, instructor, supervisor, administrator, consultant, or a combination of these in the field of parks and recreation.
Must have displayed distinctive leadership in promotion, organization and development of pioneer-type activity in the field of parks and recreation.
Must have outstanding service to the profession through the allied fields of arts, crafts, sports, health and safety education, design, park maintenance, horticulture, education, consultation services, etc.
Must have high recommendations and respect from the staff within the agency for which the nomination now works.
The National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society (NRPEMS) is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to support individuals from underrepresented communities within the parks and recreation profession in attending the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Annual Conference.
For 2026, two scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,500 each. These funds are intended to offset costs associated with conference participation, including travel, lodging, meals, and other related expenses.
The primary purpose of this scholarship program is to advance minority representation and engagement within NRPEMS and NRPA by providing recipients with meaningful opportunities for professional development, networking, and active participation in the field.
Applications will be evaluated by the NRPEMS Scholarship Committee based on responses to the required short essay questions. All application materials must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on June 30, 2026.
*Note: Funding amount may vary from year to year based on budget. Eligibility Criteria:
Application Instructions:
2025 Award Recipients:
2024 Award Recipients:
2023 Award Recipients:
Ernest T. Atwell – Tracey Crawford | Northwest Special Recreation Association Service – Edwin Rivera-Guzman | Hispanic Professionals in Parks and Recreation Achievement – Keith Wallace | Lincolnway Special Recreation Association Recognition – Michael McCarty | American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration Young Professional – Sydney Elliot | DeSoto Parks and Recreation
2022 Award Recipients:
Ernest T. Atwell – Bernita Reese | Columbus Recreation and Parks Service – Sonia Wimbish | City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation Achievement – Ben Johnson | Louisville Parks and Recreation Recognition – Jodie Adams | Brio2 Solutions, LLC Young Professional – Shajra Thrasher | City of Douglasville Parks and Recreation