Submission Cycles
Application requirements and deadlines vary by scholarship.
FUEL YOUR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
IN FUNERAL SERVICE
Looking to grow through professional development and continuing education? We’re here to help you achieve your goals. The Foundation awards over 100 professional development opportunities each year to funeral professionals or students of funeral service to further their careers. Explore the opportunities below.
NFDA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & EXPO SCHOLARSHIPS
The Foundation offers scholarships to attend the annual NFDA International Convention & Expo. The NFDA Convention is the largest of its kind in the world, and brings together thousands of funeral service professionals for the best in networking, education and the world’s largest funeral service Expo.
Online applications accepted in summer 2024. Please check back in early June 2024.
DAVID C. BAUE NFDA PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
NFDA’s Professional Women’s Conference offers women of funeral service an opportunity to come together to network, collaborate and learn from one another.
Online applications closed on January 29, 2024 and will likely re-open in January 2025 for next year’s Conference. Please check back again at that time.
NFDMA ANNUAL CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIPS
The Funeral Service Foundation, in partnership with the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, offers scholarships for licensed funeral directors, embalmers, morticians, and students of funeral service to attend the NFDMA Annual Convention & Exposition, which brings together funeral service professionals for the best in networking and education.
Online applications accepted in spring 2024. Please check back in early May 2024.
CANA CREMATION INNOVATION CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIPS
NEW IN 2023! The Funeral Service Foundation, in partnership with CANA, offers scholarships for licensed funeral directors, embalmers, morticians, crematory operators, cemeterians, and students of funeral service to attend CANA’s Cremation Innovation Convention, which brings together death care professionals for the best in networking and education.
Online applications accepted in spring 2024. Please check back in early May 2024.
Certified Celebrant Training Scholarships
The Foundation offers scholarships to select Certified Celebrant Trainings, hosted by NFDA and offered in partnership with Insight Institute. Open to all those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant.
Online applications are being accepted from February 15 – April 15.
MEET THE MENTORS
This exclusive program offers NFDA members under 40 (or those new to the profession and licensed fewer than five years) the unique opportunity to learn from the profession’s top funeral directors in an intimate setting.
The Foundation has supported this initiative since its 2011 inception. Since then, more than 600 funeral service professionals have learned from the profession’s finest practitioners. The Foundation underwrites program fees, lodging and select meals.
Online applications closed on January 6, 2024, and will open again this December for 2025. Please check back again at that time.
NATIONAL EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Created to attract, develop, and retain transformational leaders, the NFDA’s National Emerging Leaders Program is designed to provide talented people who are early in their career with the skills, tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed in their business, their community, state, and nationally. Program participants will have the opportunity to be mentored and network with other funeral service professionals and leaders outside of funeral service as they sharpen their skills. The Foundation is proud to support the program along with NorthStar Memorial Group.
Online applications are being accepted from February 15 – April 15.
Scholarship Honor Roll
The Foundation is proud to help new generations of compassionate, dedicated, and skilled funeral service professionals in the United States and Canada. Each of our scholarship award winners bring their unique experience, perspective, and talent to the profession and work to serve grieving communities with care and dignity.