The Women Divers Hall of Fame ™ (WDHOF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and raising awareness of the contributions of outstanding women divers. WDHOF provides educational, mentorship, financial, and career opportunities to the diving community throughout the world. Each year, WDHOF awards scholarships and training grants that provide financial and educational support to individuals of all ages, particularly those who are preparing for professional careers that involve diving.
Each year, the Women Diver Hall of Fame awards the scholarships and grants. Scholarships range from Underwater Archaeology, Journalism, Graphic Arts, or Photography; Marine Conservation; Undergraduate Marine Research Internship in Marine Biology. Training grants are given for those who wish to Assist the Disabled to Dive; Basic and Advanced Diver Training; Certified Hyperbaric Technician; Marine Science, Dive Medicine, and Public Safety Diver.
Applications are now being accepted for Scholarships and Training Grants for women interested in diving careers. The application period will close on October 31, 2018 at midnight EDT. Applicants will be notified by February 1, 2019, and awards will be made at Beneath The Sea Dive Expo on March 29-31, 2019. Only online submissions will be accepted.
How to apply:
Applicants may only apply for one scholarship or training grant per year, however, if not selected for the scholarship or training grant for which you applied, and you are qualified for another scholarship/training grant, you may be considered for another award.
• Full descriptions and requirements are detailed below for each of the awards. Please read the scholarship/grant descriptions, requirements, applicant qualifications, and application instructions very carefully, and refer to the specific requirements as you complete your application.
• All applications require two letters of recommendation that must be submitted directly by the recommender, and not by the applicant. It is your responsibility to ensure that the letters of recommendation are submitted by the deadline.
• Applicants MUST complete the online application form.
• Incomplete and/or late applications (including letters of recommendation) will not be accepted for further consideration.
Scholarship Descriptions
Marine Conservation Scholarships
Marine conservation has been our most popular and most competitive scholarship opportunity for several years. In response to the high number of competitive applications, WDHOF and our sponsors continue to offer several scholarships in marine conservation. The scholarships will be awarded to qualified women of any age who are enrolled in accredited graduate or undergraduate academic or research programs in the field of marine conservation. The scholarships are intended to support independent research at an accredited university; they will not support tuition, living expenses or student loan payments. The applicant should clearly state how the intended use of the scholarship will advance marine conservation.
The awards are $2000 for graduate students and $1000 for undergraduate students.
Cecelia Connelly Memorial Scholarships in Underwater Archaeology
Two scholarships will be awarded to two deserving women of any age who are enrolled in an accredited graduate or undergraduate level course of study leading to a career in the field of underwater archaeology.
One $2000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduate student with a GPA of 3.0 or better, and the applicant must be in good standing with her academic institution. First year graduate students may submit verification of a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 from their final year as an undergraduate. The funds are intended to assist with research or field study costs, and not with living expenses or student loan payments.
One $750 scholarship will be awarded to a deserving woman undergraduate student with at least a 2.5 overall GPA who is interested in pursuing a career in underwater archaeology. The scholarship is intended to support an activity that will provide an academic learning experience through such avenues as research, internships or volunteer opportunities to advance her understanding of underwater archaeology.
Undergraduate Marine Research Scholarship
A $1,000 scholarship in marine biology will be awarded to a female undergraduate student who will be participating in an identified internship program with a focus in marine biology. The internship and logistical details should be identified by the applicant and provided with their application packet. If the applicant has not yet received the internship award, she should provide details for one or more applications that the applicant has submitted but not yet received confirmation of the award.
Students must provide documentation to verify that they have completed at least 60 credits or hold third year (junior) status prior to starting the internship. This scholarship can be used to offset expenses (e.g., travel, lodging, research expenses) related to the internship. The internship is typically ~3 month long (or completed during a summer session), though longer duration exceptions will be considered.
WDHOF Scholarship in Underwater Education
A $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a qualified applicant (female or male) to plan and implement an experiential education project for students in grades 6 -12, with a focus on marine or freshwater environments. More than half of the student group should be female. The project may include art, music, literature, entertainment, or STEM (science, technology, engineering, math).
Applicants should have documented experience working with this age group and facilitating this type of activity. The scholarship is not intended to support living expenses, however, it may be used to support field expenses, including travel. Applicants should include anticipated learning outcomes from the experience.
Training Grants for young women
Training grants provide funding for diving and related underwater training and, for some awards, scuba equipment. For training conducted in the U.S., funds are paid directly to the training facility and/or the equipment vendor upon WDHOF’s receipt of an invoice; they are NOT paid directly to the grantee. An exception is for training that is not conducted in the U.S.: the awardee will be reimbursed after she/he completes the training and purchases dive equipment (if the grant includes equipment).
Ella Jean Morgan Memorial Dive Training Grant
A $1,000 training grant will be awarded to a deserving young woman, age 15-21, who wishes to begin her dive education/training. Up to $500 may be used for dive training, and up to $500 may be used for dive equipment. An approved diving course must consist of at least 12 hours of classroom training, 12 hours of pool/confined-water training and at least 5 open-water dives, and must culminate in a certification from a nationally recognized diver-training agency.
Ocean Pals Junior Dive Training Grant
A $1,000 training grant (up to $500 for training and up to $500 for dive equipment) will be awarded to a deserving young woman, ages 13-15, who wishes to begin or further her dive education/training. Up to $500 may be used for dive training, and up to $500 may be used for dive equipment.
PADI Young Explorer Dive Training Grant for Young Women:
A $1,000 training grant (up to $500 for training and up to $500 for dive equipment) will be awarded to a deserving young woman, ages 13-17, who wishes to begin or continue her dive education through a PADI scuba certification course. Applicants with a passion for ocean exploration or conservation will be considered. Up to $500 may be used for dive training, and up to $500 may be used for dive equipment. The recipient must complete an approved PADI diving course/program at a PADI training facility located closest to the home of the recipient.
Training Grants for women of any age
Kids Sea Camp Basic Dive Training Grant:
A $500 training grant will be awarded to a deserving woman of any age and background who wishes to begin her dive education through a PADI scuba certification course. The award will be given to a novice diver to gain the fundamental knowledge, skills and ability to safely breathe underwater. The recipient must complete an approved PADI diving course/program at a PADI training facility located closest to the home of the recipient.
Sponsored by Kids Sea Camp (WDHOF member Margo Peyton). Miss-Scuba Dive Training Grant: A $500 training grant will be awarded to a deserving woman of any age and background who wishes to begin or continue her dive education through a nationally recognized scuba certification course (e.g., PADI Open Water Diver, NAUI Scuba Diver, etc.) Particular consideration will be given to applicants who work with underprivileged or at-risk youth.
Advanced Dive Training Grants for Women Only
Three $1,000 training grants (up to $500 for training and up to $500 for dive equipment) will be awarded to deserving women divers of any age and background who wish to further their dive education through approved scuba diving programs beyond the basic certification level. These grants are intended to support advanced dive training in three categories: recreational diving, professional diving (i.e., to advance diving skills needed for the applicant’s profession), and technical or cave diving.
Scuba Leadership Grants for women only
Instructor Advanced Education Training Grant
This $2,000 grant is open to women who are certified scuba diving instructors and have trained and certified a minimum of 25 open water divers. The purpose of the grant is to encourage instructors to expand their own underwater-related skills by taking additional training leading to certification to teach dive specialty courses, or become certified as an instructor in a diving education, skill-associated field such as CPR, O2, AED,
First Aid, or earn a certificate in an industry-associated field such as chamber operation or equipment repair. The grant is not limited to these examples. Other courses that are postinstructor certification that improve or expand the instructor’s dive training safety or skills will be considered. The grant may be used for single or multiple course fees and equipment needed for specialized diving or to teach the learned skill/specialty. The award may not be used for travel expenses.
PADI 4 Change – Ocean Conservation
One training grant valued at $2,500 will be awarded to a deserving woman diver (18 years of age or older) who wishes to further her dive education through PADI leadership programs (Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor).
PADI is committed to mobilizing divers to be a force for good and agent for change through PADI’s Pillars of Change. Applicants that are passionate about making a positive impact in one of the following ocean conservation pillars will be considered: Ocean
Health or Marine Animal Protection. Up to $1500 may be used for training and up to $1000 may be used for equipment. Sponsored by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors).
PADI 4 Change – Healing and Wellness
One training grant valued at $2,500 will be awarded to a deserving woman diver (18 years of age or older) who wishes to further her dive education through PADI leadership diving programs (Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor). PADI is committed to mobilizing divers to be a force for good and agent for change through PADI’s Pillars of Change. Applicants that are passionate about making a positive impact in the Healing and Wellness Pillar will be considered. Up to $1500 may be used for training and up to $1000 may be used for equipment.
Specialty Dive Training Grants for women only
Lifeguard Systems Public Safety Diving Grant
A grant to take an unlimited number of any Lifeguard Systems, Levels 1-3, public safety and water rescue certification training programs for a duration of one year will be awarded to a woman 18 years of age or older, with a commitment to public safety diving and water rescue, and preferably some experience in public safety (e.g., EMT certification, volunteer firefighter, in law enforcement, forensics, etc.). The awardee might be able to stay in the host’s facility (e.g., fire department) at no cost, if such an option is available. Applicants must be certified to dive, have their own dive gear, and must be capable of getting to and from the training programs. The recipient may also be able to take additional training programs from at least one other water rescue/recovery training agency.
Morgan/O’Neill Underwater Photography Grant
A $1000 grant will be awarded to a qualified female photographer of any age to continue her professional development in the field of underwater photography. Applicants must be certified divers with significant dive experience.
The successful applicant will be a serious, career-minded woman with the intent to (continue to) develop her career in underwater photography. Applicants will be required to submit a photographic portfolio. The grant may be used to fund master digital workshops or other developmental classes in underwater photography. The grant may not be used to buy equipment.
Dive Training Grant
A $1,000 grant will be awarded to a deserving woman diver of any age and background who wishes to begin or further her training in hardhat diving through an approved hardhat dive training program. The applicant should be enrolled in or attending a commercial dive school.
For women or men:
Recreational/Public Safety Diver Medical Education Grants
Two grants (valued at $1000/£1000 each) will be awarded for Diver Medical Training: one (female or male) for the USA/Caribbean/ Mexico/Canada areas, and one (female or male) for the UK and Europe areas. Applicants must be over the age of 18, have at least the recreational diver certification or equivalent, and should hold a current EFR/BLS/First Aid certification. The grants cover full Diver Medical theory and Practical training (approximately 70 hours) please refer to the Diver Medic website for more details.
The student will be responsible for arranging and paying for his/her own transport, accommodation and other expenses to the training locations. Please email info@thedivermedic.com for more information. On successful completion, the student will receive a certificate and certification card.
Hugh Fletcher Memorial Disabled Diver Training Grant
One $1000 training grant will be awarded to any disabled diver who wishes to pursue or further his/her dive education, or to a Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, or Instructor to gain the required education/training to assist or teach the disabled to dive. Candidates can be female or male. Up to $500 may be used for training and up to $500 may be used to buy adaptive equipment for handicapped divers or diver training.
Women’s Scuba Association Dive Training Grant for Students in ROTC, JROTC, Military Academy or Sea Cadets
A $1,000 training grant (up to $500 for training and $500 for equipment) will be awarded to a deserving young female or male who wishes to begin or further her/his dive education/training. Candidates must be enrolled in an ROTC or JROTC program, military academy or be a Sea Cadet.
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To learn more about Women Divers Hall of Fame and to apply to any of these scholarships, visit www.wdhof.org
If you have questions after you’ve carefully read the online application instructions, please email: wdhofgrants@gmail.com.