AAED Scholarship Fund

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) Scholarship Program is designed to assist those pursuing professional development opportunities within AAED. This scholarship program is in addition to the two scholarships AAED already provides for the annual Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC): the Ben Warren and Tim Kanavel Memorial Scholarships.

This professional development assistance promotes and ensures the continuation of the high level of skill, talent, and professionalism valued by every member. It is incumbent on AAED and our members to lend a helping hand to those who have chosen economic development as their career but do not have the budget to support it. The Scholarship Program is an intricate part of achieving this goal.

The AAED Scholarship Program has (3) categories:

Conference Attendance
Scholarship dollars are awarded to cover the registration and/or hotel costs for attending one of AAED’s signature conferences (e.g., the Spring Conference or the Fall Forum).

AZED Pro Certification
Scholarship dollars cover the cost of all courses required to obtain the AZED Pro certification. While recommended, the recipient does not need to be part of the AZED Pro Cohort Program to be eligible. To receive the funds, the recipient must agree to complete all courses in one year. Applicants can apply for scholarship dollars to cover either 50% or the full cost of the program.

AAED Membership
Scholarship dollars cover the cost of a one-year Practitioner membership to AAED.

FUND GUIDELINES

  • Funds may only be awarded to current AAED members. The only exception is the AAED Membership Scholarship, which can be awarded to individuals who have applied for membership.

  • Preference is given to counties with fewer than 3,000,000 residents as determined by the 2020 Decennial Census and to Tribal entities.
  • The AAED Scholarship Fund Committee determines the amounts each year. The actual number of scholarships awarded each year is contingent upon available funds.
  • The total scholarships awarded in each category may vary year to year, depending on applications, though every effort will be made to select at least one applicant per category.
  • Fund recipients will receive promotional codes, and/or AAED will pay the costs directly. No funds will be paid directly to the recipient.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition to taking advantage of the professional development opportunities offered through the scholarship category, recipients are expected to summarize their experience as part of AAED’s ongoing marketing efforts.

When participating in scholarship-related activities, recipients are responsible for costs incurred that are not covered by the scholarship, which may include travel, food, lodging, additional event fees, etc.