Annually, PRSSA and the PRSA Foundation offer many individual scholarships. Whether through your academic achievement, diversity, professional ambition or desire to attend a National event, PRSSA provides the recognition and funding you’ve earned. Read the brief descriptions below and click the links to determine which one you qualify for. Submit applications for these scholarships and awards by visiting the PRSA Foundation website or by visiting each award’s respective webpage.
Academic Achievement Scholarships
Axia Public Relations Scholarship. This scholarship assists outstanding college students with financial needs in their pursuit of a public relations career. Award: $2,000.
Geoffrey M. Curtis Scholarship. Established in 2023, this scholarship awards one rising junior or senior undergraduate student who is pursuing a career in public relations, journalism, or communications and is BIPOC identified. Award: $10,000.
Robin M. Urbanski Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to honor a student entering his or her junior or senior year at a four-year accredited institution for his/her mentoring of others and his/her commitment to public relations. Award: $1,000.
Ofield Dukes Multicultural Student Award. This award recognizes young public relations juniors of African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander ancestry for outstanding academic achievement. Award: $1,000.
Chester Burger Scholarship for Excellence in Public Relations. This scholarship encourages graduate public relations students to pursue careers in corporate public relations. Graduate students studying public relations, journalism or a related field with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate grade point average may apply. Award: $1,000.
Ron Culp Scholarship for Mentorship. This scholarship honors a senior for their mentoring others in their career and their promotion of public relations as a career choice. Award: $1,000.
Lawrence G. Foster Award. Open to all PRSSA members, this award recognizes a student who demonstrates outstanding potential as a future public relations professional. Award: $1,500.
Betsy Plank/PRSSA Scholarships. This scholarship honors three outstanding public relations juniors and seniors for their academic achievements, demonstrated leadership, practical experience and their commitment to public relations. Awards: First Place $5,000; Second Place $1,500; Third Place $1,000.
PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship. This scholarship awards two talented undergraduate communications students of African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander ancestry with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Award: $1,500.
Gary Yoshimura Scholarship. This scholarship helps students needing financial assistance to complete their public relations education. Award: $2,400.
PRSA Puget Sound Scholarships. Each year the PRSA Puget Sound Chapter seeks to recognize students attending school in Washington State who demonstrate academic achievement, a desire to practice public relations and financial need in their two scholarships. Award: $4,000.
Stephen D. Pisinski Memorial Scholarship. This award is given each year to a deserving junior or senior majoring in public relations, journalism or communications who demonstrates outstanding leadership in school and in their professional life. Award: $2,000.
John D. Graham Scholarship. [This scholarship is not being offered in 2024.]
Neumeier Family Leadership Award. [This award is not being offered in 2024.]
Fellowships
AGEAN Public Relations Fellowship. Established in 2023, the AGEAN Public Relations Fellowship will award one BIPOC identified student annually who is pursuing a career in public relations. This student will be awarded with a $2,500 scholarship and a paid five-week internship with AGEAN Public Relations.
LaunchSquad Fellowship. Established in 2023, the LaunchSquad Fellowship will award one BIPOC identified student annually who is pursuing a career in journalism, public relations, marketing & communications. This student will be awarded with a with a $10,000 scholarship, a $4,000 stipend, and a paid eight-week internship with LaunchSquad.
Method Communications Fellowship. Established in 2023, the Method Communications Fellowship will award one BIPOC identified student annually who is pursuing a career in public relations or communications. This student will be awarded with a $15,000 scholarship, a $3,000 stipend, and a paid six-week internship with Method Communications.
Mission North The Future Is... Fellowship. Established in 2022, the Mission North The Future Is... Fellowship will award one BIPOC female identified student annually who is pursuing a career in PR focusing on tech communications, science communications, or digital marketing & design. This student will be awarded with a $30,000 scholarship, a $6,000 stipend, and a paid eight-week internship with Mission North.
Internship Awards
Altschul Champions for PRSSA Outstanding Internship Award. This award recognizes public relations students who had a great internship experience. This award honors a student and their internship provider for achieving outstanding success in a public relations internship. Award: $300 and a certificate.
Conference and Assembly Registration Grants
PRSSA Conference Grants
#PRSSAIC 2024 Grant. This grant pays the registration fees for up to ten members to attend the PRSSA International Conference. You must be a current, paid PRSSA member planning to attend the PRSSA 2023 International Conference (having paid dues in March 2024 or planning to pay in November 2024).
PRSA ICON 2024 Grant. All former PRSSA members who are currently PRSA Associate Members and plan on attending the PRSA International Conference may apply for this grant, which covers the cost of the event’s registration fee.
T-Mobile PRSSA ICON 2024 Grant. This grant pays the registration fees for up to 25 members to attend the PRSSA International Conference. Applicants must be current, paid PRSSA members planning to attend the PRSSA 2024 International Conference. Applicants must also be at the junior or senior undergraduate level or be a Graduate student in the Fall of 2024.
PRSA Foundation Travel Grants
PRSA Foundation Leadership Assembly Travel Grant This grant will support multicultural students attending the PRSSA Leadership Assembly. The grant will be used to cover Travel to and from Leadership Assembly, up to $500.
PRSA Foundation ICON 2024 Student Travel Grant This grant will support multicultural students attending the 2024 PRSSA International Conference. The grant can be used to cover travel, Conference registration, accommodations and meals, up to $2,500.