About the NACOLE Scholarship Program

In 2013, NACOLE, through its Annual Conference Scholarship Fund, began offering financial support for individuals to attend the NACOLE Annual Conference, expanding the reach of civilian oversight and promoting participation by individuals from a broad spectrum of social, economic, racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

The Scholarship Fund supports and strengthens the work of civilian oversight practitioners and communities by providing access to a range of oversight information, effective practices, and professional networks.

Scholarships for the 2023 In-Person Annual NACOLE Conference will cover the cost of registration plus up to $800 in travel-related expenses for the conference, to be held November 12-16, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.  Please note, in order to be reimbursed for up to $800 in travel-related expenses, you must submit receipts for incurred expenses.

Please submit this application and supporting documentation no later than June 30, 2023. You will receive a confirmation of receipt within 48 hours of submission. If you do not, please e-mail williams@nacole.org or call 317-721-8133.

Scholarships will be awarded by the NACOLE Board of Directors by August 11, 2023.

Scholarship Descriptions, Eligibility and Applications

 Founders and Presidents’ Scholarship Award (FPSA) 

The NACOLE Founders and Presidents Scholarship Award (FPSA) honors the significant contributions, dedication, and commitment of the NACOLE founders and past-presidents by supporting those community members, grassroots organizers, law enforcement officials, volunteers, academics, students, early career professionals with less than three years of experience, and others who are seeking information about oversight and how it can best impact their communities.  The award is geared towards applicants whose attendance at the Annual Conference will benefit their communities and whose commitment to civilian oversight will be strengthened and reinforced by their participation.  Membership in the organization is not required for this category.

 

Membership Scholarship Award (MSA)

The Membership Scholarship Award (MSA) supports and strengthens the work of NACOLE members by introducing them to a broad range of oversight information, effective practices, and professional networks. The MSA supports individuals in all NACOLE membership categories—Regular, Associate, Organizational and Student—by providing financial assistance to attend the Annual Conference. To be eligible for the MSA, you must be a member of NACOLE in good standing or employed by/affiliated with an oversight entity holding an organizational membership at the time of your application and as of the first day of the conference. 

 

New Agency Scholarship Award (NASA)

The New Agency Scholarship Award is specifically granted to those practitioners who work for agencies established since January 1, 2020.  This scholarship allows for individuals to attend the NACOLE conference, learn more about the work being done in the field of oversight in the United States and around the world, expand their netowrk, and gain a better understanding of what effective and sustainable oversight can look like in their jurisdiction.  These scholarships are made possible in 2023 by a generous donation to NACOLE earmarked specifically for new agencies.

 

Local Community Scholarship Award (LCSA)

The Local Community Scholarship Award (LCSA) supports grassroots community members, advocacy organizations, volunteers and/or law enforcement members who may benefit from educational sessions and networking opportunities at the Annual NACOLE Conference or other NACOLE sponsored educational events. Applicants for this category must be physically located in the city or surrounding geographical region of the Annual NACOLE Conference, and covers conference registration costs only.  This category will be funded by donations specifically intended for this purpose on an annual basis.

Please attach an essay, including the following information, corresponding to the scholarship category to which you are applying:

Founders’ and Presidents' Scholarship Award (FPSA):  Describe contributions that you have made to the field of oversight of law enforcement or in the areas of community policing, procedural justice, and/or transparent policing.  If not applicable, please provide an overview of work you have performed (either paid or as a volunteer) in this area and in what capacity. If you are a student, please describe your studies or activities relating to policing, criminal justice, journalism, community issues or related fields.

Membership Scholarship Award (MSA):  Please provide an overview of work you have performed (either paid or as a volunteer) in the field of civilian oversight of law enforcement, jails, or prisons and in what capacity. Please describe how NACOLE membership and/or attendance at the annual conference will benefit you or your organization.

New Agency Scholarship Award (NASA): Describe the formation of  and your role within your organization. Please address what the impetus was for creation of your organization, your personal short- and long-term goals with the organization, and how attendance at the conference will benefit you and your organization going forward.

Local Community Scholarship Award (LCSA):  Provide an overview of civilian oversight in your community, including your involvement with and community support of oversight.

 

Additionally, please include the following information in your essay:

• Explain your financial need as it relates to covering the costs to participate in the 2023 NACOLE conference, including potential alternative sources of funding (from question above); and

• How will your participation in the 2023 NACOLE Conference strengthen your interest and commitment to the field of civilian oversight?

 

At least one (1) letter of recommendation for the award must be submitted as an addendum to this Application.  If recommendation letters are submitted separately, please ensure they arrive by the deadline and clearly identify you as the applicant.  Failure to submit a letter of recommendation may result in disqualification from consideration.   

It is recommended that the short essay and letter of recommendation be attached below.  However, if that is not possible, please ensure all items have the applicant's name and are received at williams@nacole.org by no later than 5:00 p.m. PDT on Friday, June 30, 2023.