The Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Scholarship Program is designed to help MEDA members with limited resources continue to develop their professional skills in the area of economic development. Scholarships will be provided for members to attend education and training programs that hey would not otherwise be able to attend due to financial restrictions.

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Who is Eligible: Scholarships are available to any MEDA member, both active and associate, in good standing.

Types of Training: Scholarships will be provided for education/training specifically in the area of economic development (training outside of economic development will not be accepted). Priority will be given to MEDA training. Requests made for training outside of MEDA will only be accepted if MEDA does not offer the same type of training.

Size of Scholarship Awards: A maximum of $750 per person per fiscal year will be awarded. A limit of one scholarship per person will be available. Total amount of Scholarship funds available in any given year will be $1,500.

Matching Requirements: A match from the scholarship recipient is required for all scholarships. MEDA will provide 75% of the program costs for MEDA training. A 50% match will be provided for training offered by organizations other than MEDA.

Program Costs: MEDA scholarships will be available for program (registration) costs only. Scholarships will not cover travel, hotel, meals or other miscellaneous expenses of attending a program.

Supporting Documentation: You must include with your application any information regarding any program that is not a MEDA program. This includes registration information, agendas, program books, or any other supporting documentation discussing program content.

How Scholarships are Awarded: A point system will be used to make Awards based on organizational size, number of years within economic development, and participation in the governance of MEDA (serving on MEDA Board, committees, or task forces). Applications with the highest number of points will receive priority. Also taken into consideration will be how long applicants have been a member of MEDA, and how the training will professionally benefit the recipient.

Application Due Dates: Applications are due the last day of the month proceeding the MEDA Board meetings.

Scholarship Approval: The Review Board at the bi-monthly MEDA Board meeting will approve scholarships. All decisions by the Review Board are final.

Note: Scholarships will not be approved retroactively for programs already attended.