EMA Conference Scholarship

Chair: Nate Elgart, Zoo Atlanta

For up-to-date information about conference scholarships, please visit the EMA Conference website.

EMA will award four scholarships to attend our annual conference in 2026, available to EMA members:

• $1,000 Ashley Sheppard Scholarship (in memory of Rosamond Gifford Zoo's Elephant Manager, Ashley Sheppard), available to EMA members who are elephant caretakers. Sponsored by Janet Dray
• $1,000 Inclusive Culture Scholarship, awarded to an EMA member who identifies with a cultural group historically underrepresented at EMA conferences. (Formerly AMZAP) Sponsored by Roger WIlliams Park Zoo 
• $2,000 scholarship available to an international EMA member (i.e., a member not working in the US).
• $1,000 scholarship available to any EMA member.  Sponsored by Crystal Eng 
• $1,000 Ryan Easley sponsored by Encounter to Inspire, Ryan's Legacy 

If you are awarded a scholarship, please turn in all receipts after the conference and you will be reimbursed.