Members at all stages of their career benefit from learning, innovating, and networking experiences at NIRSA conferences, institutes, as well as virtual learning opportunities. The NIRSA Foundation is committed to the future of campus recreation, and proudly offers a variety of financial support to members’ career development.

Applications are now open for scholarships to the 2021 All Regions Virtual Conference and  2021 All Regions Virtual Conference and the 2022 NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo in Portland; travel grant applications are also open for travel support to NIRSA 2022.

New for 2021-2022

Knowing how we have all been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NIRSA Foundation is pleased to offer—for the first time—need-based event registration scholarships. These opportunities are designated for professional members who are looking to continue accessing transformative professional development during these hard times.

2020 has been very challenging for many. And within our profession, we have seen significant decreases of professional development funding for student affairs professionals to continue to develop their education within the field. For this I’m forever grateful for being sponsored to receive a scholarship.”

Matt Dunigan, Sr. Coordinator for Competitive Sports at the University of California-Riverside.

If you are a campus recreation professional with two or more years of NIRSA membership an are in need of financial support to attend NIRSA education opportunities, need-based registration scholarships are here to help! The NIRSA Foundation Scholarship Endowment plans to support members of each Region who want to attend the 2021 All Regions Virtual Conference and individuals who want to attend the 2022 NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo by covering the cost of event registration!

Individuals who have at least two years of NIRSA membership history are invited to apply for 2022 NIRSA Annual Conference or 2021 NIRSA All Regions Virtual Conference scholarships from the NIRSA Foundation.

Application deadlines

Scholarship application deadlines for the 2021 NIRSA All Regions Virtual Conference are set for September 15, 2021 and November 30 for the 2022 NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo in Portland, Oregon.

Support the NIRSA Foundation

Help support the future generation of campus recreation leaders by becoming a recurring contributor to the NIRSA Foundation.

“I am passionate about giving back to our NIRSA community because we take care of our family. Supporting this organization with time, talent, and treasure not only serves the NIRSA family as a whole, but it also impacts individual lives. Without my NIRSA scholarship in graduate school, I truly believe I would not be on the same path as I am today. But it takes money and time to offer those scholarships. So, I want to do my part to give back and ensure the load isn’t quite so heavy for my fellow NIRSA family members.”

Caroline Dotts, Associate Director-Healthy Lifestyle Programs at the Georgia Institute of Technology

Hundreds of beneficiaries each year can attest to the career-changing impact that can come from NIRSA Foundation support.

  • For more information, please contact NIRSA Foundation Coordinator John Raskauskas by email at foundation@nirsa.org.
Director-University Recreation at University of Richmond | NIRSA Profile

Marti Tomlin is currently Director-University Recreation at the University of Richmond.