Student of Promise Scholarship

Student of Promise Scholarship

This scholarship supports a student of any college level, including Undergraduate, Master’s, or Doctoral, interested in learning more about visitor studies and connecting with the VSA community by attending the in-person conference for the first time.

Requirements:

  • Must be a current student or someone who has graduated more recently than the last in-person VSA conference (July 2024).
  • Must be a new attendee to the in-person VSA conference. Past virtual attendance is fine!

You are a good fit for the Student of Promise Scholarship if: 

  • You are enthusiastic about visitor studies, evaluation, and/or research within the museum or informal learning field
  • You have some initial experience or exposure, but want to expand your knowledge base and network

We are looking for candidates that will:

  • Engage in conference events and sessions with curiosity and enthusiasm
  • Bring new perspectives and thoughtful dialogue to the conference
  • Engage with the VSA community beyond the conference and stay involved
  • Provide feedback and reflection following the conference to help us continue to improve the scholarship experience

The Student of Promise Scholarship provides: 

  • Registration to the VSA conference, including evening events
  • Compensation for ground or air travel to and from the conference, up to $600
  • A reserved room in the conference hotel for up to 4 nights
  • Per diem to cover meals and incidentals for each day of the conference
  • A one-year membership to VSA
  • Public acknowledgement prior to the conference on VSA’s website and social media, and during the conference opening and closing events
  • Mentorship, camaraderie, and support during the conference via interactions with the Conference Planning Committee, VSA Board, and VSA membership at large

Click here to view a copy of the written application and requirements.

Submit your application here!

Application and Review Process:
The extended deadline is now March 9, 2026.

Written applications are reviewed independently by VSA volunteers. Based on reviews, the top 2-3 candidates for each scholarship type will be invited to an interview with members of the VSA Scholarships team to make a final selection. All candidates will be notified of final decisions in April.