Sacramento Audubon is a proud sponsor of the Amplify the Future Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship. The deadline for scholarship application has been extended to JULY 18, 2021. Read the complete Amplify the Future press release below for information on eligibility, application, and how you can help.

Amplify the Future extends the deadline for the
Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship to JULY 18.

Contact: Orietta Estrada, Tykee James, co-chairpersons, hello@amplifythefuture.org.

Frederick, Md., June 15, 2021—Today, we are announcing the extension of the deadline for the Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship. We recently expanded the scholarship to include birders/students in Hawai‘i, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. To allow enough time for all students to apply we are extending the deadline to SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021 at 11:59 PM (whichever time zone students are applying from).

This year, we are delivering at least three scholarships for the 2021-2022 cycle. American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has stepped forward to be our new fiscal sponsor and is matching donations up to $10,000. ABC’s sponsorship will make our work to deliver scholarships to Black birders and Brown Birders in STEM, along with new initiatives, sustainable.

“American Bird Conservancy is delighted to assist in the next stage of development of the Black and Latinx Birder’s Scholarship Fund. We will be providing a $10,000 challenge match for donors wishing to support the fund in the short-term, and will be working with Amplify the Future and other partners to seek ways to develop programming to support an even broader range of deserving applicants as we advance.”

We at Amplify the Future, founders of the Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship, through our work and partnerships, aim to amplify and center folx who identify as Black, as Indigenous, and/or as folx of color, and show support for TLGBQ+ identifying folx and communities. As we grow our mission, as we expand our efforts, and as we make connections which nurture our initiatives and spark new ones, we partner with groups who through their missions aim to dismantle the status quo, are committed to being anti-racist, and that support initiatives such as ours.

Apply here.

Please share this information with your networks and visit our social media pages in the coming days for more information and shareable content.

Until higher education is accessible, equitable, and free, we will be here to support Black & Latinx Birders in STEM.

Are you a Black birder or Brown birder that lives in the United States or Puerto Rico and identifies as Black, African-American, and/or Latinx/e/a/o? Are you also an undergraduate student studying in STEM? Apply for the annual Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship, today!

ELIGIBILITY

Open to undergraduate students 18 and older, in any year of their college studies (full-time undergraduate). Through this scholarship, we seek to increase the number of Black birders and Latinx birders studying in STEM*. Scholarship awards range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $5,000, depending on funding for the current year. Two students will receive a one-time annual award. For questions or to submit supporting documentation, please email: hello@amplifythefuture.org.

RULES

1. Live in and attend college in the United States or Puerto Rico.
2. We want to hear from you!

Tell us about your birding** experience! Please answer these questions:

• How did you become a birder?

• How are you involved in the birding community?

• Why are you pursuing a degree in STEM?

• How do you plan to bring back your knowledge and skills to your community?

How to tell us:

• Essay: no longer than two pages double spaced. Get creative! Maybe your essay is a Twitter thread that you started? Perhaps an extended IG post? Or maybe you prefer a standard essay format? Either way, tell us about you and answer the four questions above.

• YouTube Video: Instead of an essay, send us a video link (two minutes maximum) sharing why you are pursuing your degree and how you plan to share your knowledge with the community.

3. One letter of recommendation to serve as a reference from a current or recent teacher. This can be forwarded to us by you, or sent directly to us.
4. Proof of enrollment at a 2 or 4 year college or university and proof of a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA (high school or college, as appropriate). A letter from the admissions office and a copy of your transcripts are needed. If transcripts state you are enrolled for the following year, those can also be used in lieu of the letter from your admissions office.
5. Must be 18 years or older.
6. Interview with the committee via Zoom.
 

*Note: STEM (Science Technology Engineer Math) includes Science Communications.

**Note: we use the term “birder” in a broad context. Perhaps you’re a lister, volunteer at a nature center and engage your community with live birds, lead bird walks, have worked on or are working on a bird-related conservation project at your school, are an apprenticing falconer/or Master falconer. A birder in this context is someone who is actively engaged in lifestyle, with projects, etc. that are centered around birds, bird advocacy, and/or bird conservation.