Journalist Scholarships Terms & Conditions for the 79th EWA National Seminar

EWA is pleased to offer scholarships to qualified journalists. Scholarships may be used to offset the costs of attending the seminar, potentially including registration, travel, and/or lodging. Scholarships are granted on an individual basis, provided funding is available.

Scholarships are only available for active EWA journalist members who are in good standing. 

For 2026, the following guidelines will be considered during review of all applications:

• EWA will consider awarding up to five (5) scholarships per outlet. 
• Travel and hotel scholarships will not be available to those living within 25 miles of the seminar location. Registration waivers will be available to this group.
• Travel scholarship reimbursement will be capped at $150 for those living between 26 and 225 miles of the seminar location. Hotel scholarships and registration waivers will be available to this group.

The following terms & conditions apply to all scholarships:

• EWA is fair and equal in all of its scholarship processes for all persons, without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law.
• An application submission does not guarantee a scholarship will be awarded.
• Applicants may be awarded partial scholarships that do not include all costs requested.
• Scholarships are only available for active EWA journalist members who are in good standing.

• For 2026, the following guidelines will be considered during review of all applications:
  • EWA will consider awarding up to five (5) scholarships per outlet. 
  • Travel and hotel scholarships will not be available to those living within 25 miles of the seminar location. Registration waivers will be available to this group.
  • Travel scholarship reimbursement will be capped at $150 for those living between 26 and 225 miles of the seminar location. Hotel scholarships and registration waivers will also be available to this group.

• All scholarship decisions are final. There is no appeals process for decisions made regarding the awarding of these scholarships.
• Scholarship recipients agree to follow all instructions and deadlines in their award letter as a condition of their scholarships. If a recipient fails to follow instructions, EWA reserves the right to modify or revoke the scholarship award.
• Any requests for modification or adjustment to an awarded scholarship must be approved by EWA in advance in writing.
• Reimbursements will be made after the National Seminar concludes if the recipient attends the 2026 National Seminar in Baltimore, follows submission instructions as specified on the reimbursement form, and participates in all follow-up surveys or evaluations by the specified deadlines.
• All reimbursement forms must be submitted by July 10, 2026.
• Scholarship recipients must purchase travel insurance to reduce the risk of unforeseen events that may prevent attendance. EWA will reimburse up to $50.00 for travel insurance. The travel insurance must be included on your submitted receipt. 
• Scholarships do not include reimbursement for additional meals beyond those provided during the seminar.
• If this reimbursement policy creates a financial hardship for individual scholarship recipients, EWA may be able to reimburse airfare early on a case-by-case basis. The recipient should complete and submit this form immediately.
• If a recipient must cancel after receiving a scholarship letter, they must contact EWA immediately, so the scholarship can be released and reallocated to another qualified applicant.
• If for any reason you are no longer able to attend the conference, you will have up to 72 hours before the start date of the conference (May 29, 2026) to email EWA to cancel your attendance. Failure to cancel your attendance at least 72 hours before the start of the conference will preclude you from qualifying for any EWA scholarships for the next year (starting from the start date of this seminar), including for the 2027 National Seminar.
• Journalists from the same news outlet may be eligible to receive  scholarships, but they must submit individual applications to be considered. EWA will consider awarding up to five (5) scholarships per outlet.
• Scholarships are non-transferable.

Registration Fees and Scholarships

Fees

The 2026 National Seminar registration fees and schedule are:

• Early Bird: $550/person (Until Jan. 15, 2026)
• Regular: $650/person (Jan. 16 to March 15, 2026)
• Late: $800/person (March 16 to April 28, 2026 or sold out, whichever comes first)

Travel Scholarships

• Travel scholarship recipients are responsible for arranging and paying for their travel at the time of booking. Recipients should refer to their travel award letters for details on what type of travel to purchase.
• EWA will reimburse up to the awarded travel amount for those who attend the seminar and complete all required steps as specified.
• If the recipient’s scholarship includes car travel reimbursement (in lieu of airfare or train fare), the scholarship may cover mileage at the prevailing federal rate OR direct expenses (such as gas, tolls, and/or parking). Limits on the reimbursed amount still apply.
• Travel scholarships do not cover ground travel, including but not limited to taxis, mileage, parking, or shuttles between home and the airport or between the airport and the conference hotel.
• Travel scholarships do not cover other travel fees, including but not limited to baggage fees (checked or carry-on), early boarding fees, upgrades, or other fees that are not customary or reasonable.

Lodging Scholarships

• Recipients of lodging scholarships are responsible for arranging their lodging at the conference hotel via the link provided in the EWA scholarship award letter.
• EWA will reimburse up to the awarded lodging amount for those who attend the seminar and complete all required steps as specified.
• Lodging scholarships are only valid at the conference hotel at the prevailing EWA block rate (or less), including the base room rate and associated taxes. If additional charges to the room are made (e.g., room service), recipients are responsible for those costs.
• Lodging scholarships do not cover hotel costs beyond the scholarship award and the parameters of the seminar, including but not limited to incidentals, early check-in fees, late check-out fees, room rates above the EWA block rate, parking, or additional nights at the hotel unless specifically approved by EWA in advance in writing.

Registration Scholarships

Recipients of registration scholarships are responsible for paying a $35 portion of the registration fee. The code provided in your scholarship award will waive the remaining balance that may be covered by the scholarship.