Drug Policy Alliance

Scholarships

 

The Reform Conference is pleased to offer scholarship assistance to allow a diverse group of people to attend the 2009 International Drug Policy Reform conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We always receive many more requests than we can accommodate, so please continue your search for alternate funding. We have tips!

In order to receive a scholarship, interested parties must complete an online application, however, the application process is now closed.  If additional funds are available the application will reopen in order to distribute more scholarships.  Please return to this website after September 15 to check if the application will reopen. Additional scholarship funding is available for economics students, please see below for details.

We encourage you to draft your responses to the scholarship questions offline in a Word document so you will be prepared when filling out the application.

Please note: There is a $50 registration deposit to apply for a scholarship. All scholarship applicants are expected to pay at least $50 for their registration. Therefore, if your application is accepted, the $50 registration deposit will be applied to the conference registration fee. If your application is accepted and you were approved for a rate above the $50, you will be expected to pay the remaining balance within two (2) weeks of being notified of your scholarship. If you are denied a scholarship, and still wish to attend the conference we will apply the full $50 to your registration fee.

In general, scholarship applicants must:

1. be in need of some financial support in order to attend;
   
2. be in a position to clearly benefit from going to the conference, with solid potential to take home new knowledge, skills and contacts that will benefit their local work;
   
3. be able to cover at least part of their costs, whether registration, travel or lodging. In order to bring as many people as possible, full scholarships are never awarded.

Women, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, low-income, formerly incarcerated and other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

In general, the following scholarship applicants are given preference for (although not guaranteed) an award:

1. individuals who have never attended a Reform Conference before;
   
2. individuals who are traveling to the conference on behalf of an organization.

Scholarship awards will be available in these categories and amounts:

Registration Scholarship	Scholarship applicant can request to pay one of the lowered registration rates: $50 $100 $150 $200
Travel Scholarship	Scholarship applicant can request up to $250, reimbursable by check at the conference. You will be required to submit your receipt to the conference management office at least two weeks prior to the event.  If you do not turn in your receipts at least two weeks before the conference your check will be mailed to you after the arrival of your travel receipts.
Lodging Scholarship	Scholarship applicant can request one of the following options: Sharing a room (DOUBLE)* Stay four nights (Nov. 11-14), pay for one Stay four nights (Nov. 11-14), pay for two Stay four nights (Nov. 11-14), pay for three Stay three nights, pay for one Stay three nights, pay for two Stay two nights, pay for one * Scholarship recipient will be responsible for finding a roommate. (One way to find a roommate is by using our Community Forum.) If the roommate cancels and a replacement is not found, scholarship recipient will be responsible for paying total amount due not covered by the award. Choose wisely! Stay in own room (SINGLE) Stay four nights (Nov. 11-14), pay for one Stay four nights (Nov. 11-14), pay for two Stay four nights (Nov. 11-14), pay for three Stay three nights, pay for one Stay three nights, pay for two Stay two nights, pay for one

Scholarship applicants are highly encouraged to select the least amount of funding needed to attend; smaller request amounts are more easily accommodated.

If selected, an applicant will have two weeks to respond to accept the award and register for the conference. Immediate registration and payment is required, or the scholarship award will be considered forfeit and go to an alternate candidate.

In addition, all scholarship recipients must:

1. Complete a conference evaluation form (contained in the conference bag) and submit it to the registration desk at the conclusion of the conference.
2. Complete a Follow-Up Survey, which will be sent out via email following the conference. The purpose of this survey is to provide feedback about the scholarship recipient’s experience at the conference and its impact on his or her work. This information will be shared with the generous individuals and foundation donors who provided scholarship funding.

Scholarship applicants should be prepared to answer the following questions on the application:

• Are you attending on behalf of an organization?
• Which organization?
• What is the organization’s website?
• What is the organization’s operating budget?
• Is the organization a DPA grantee?
• Are other’s applying from your organization?
• What are their names?
• Please explain your involvement/interest in drug policy reform or provide your organization’s mission statement.
• Why do you want to attend the 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference?
• If you were encouraged to apply for a scholarship by a DPA staff member, please indicate their name.
• Are there any special circumstances we should know about?

In addition, the following information is necessary to complete the application:

• What registration rate you will apply for.
• The amount of travel reimbursement you will apply for.
• Your method of travel.
• The number of nights you will apply for lodging assistance for.
• Your arrival and departure dates.
• Your roommate’s name.
• The method of registration for your roommate (scholarship or regular rate).

TIPS FOR FINDING ALTERNATE FUNDING

Places that often support conference participation are:

1. University or nonprofit organizations
   
2. Foundations
   
3. Local Rotary Club, etc.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTER?

Some organizations and individuals show their support by underwriting the registration fees, travel costs and/or lodging for those that may not have the resources to send people to this important meeting.

No amount is too large or small to be a help! Although general gifts are most helpful, if you would like to dedicate your funding toward a specific group of people or region, we can ensure your funds are matched to the right applicants. For more information, please contact Stefanie Jones, Event Manager.

You can also support the conference as a Sponsor, Exhibitor, Advertiser or Partner.

SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTERS

• Consumer Health Foundation
• Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation
• Fund for Nonviolence
• MAC AIDS Fund
• Open Society Institute
• Public Welfare Foundation
• Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Fund