Disney Diversity Advancement Scholarship Grant

Disney Diversity Advancement Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
Last Updated: August 14, 2025

Summary

The Disney Diversity Advancement Scholarship, sponsored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), promotes equity and inclusion by supporting underrepresented individuals in the zoo and aquarium field. It offers funding for professional development opportunities such as the AZA Mid-Year Meeting and various courses. This initiative underscores AZA's commitment to enhancing diversity and fostering leadership among its members, ultimately benefiting the communities they serve.

Overview

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recognizes and embraces human diversity in all its forms and facets, while also acknowledging we continue to fall short in our efforts to be equitable and inclusive. We recognize that our work to conserve wildlife and wild places is inextricably linked to issues of environmental and social justice. Diversity results from the equitable inclusion of different physical, social and cultural identities among people including but not limited to gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, national origin, and background. It is of particular importance to cultivate racial and ethnic diversity within AZA organizations and help build organizations that are responsive to and reflective of the diverse communities they serve. The purpose of the Disney Diversity Advancement Scholarship is to provide support for in-person attendance to the AZA Mid-Year Meeting or AZA Professional Development courses. As part of the AZA’s larger commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion this scholarship is sponsored by Disney to provide support for professional development for members of an underrepresented group within the zoo and aquarium field. Detailed Award Coverage Course registration (full) Round-trip airfare from the award recipient’s point of origin to the destination city (up to $550) Round-trip airport shuttle ground transportation (full) Hotel/lodging throughout the duration of the course (based on double occupancy rate) A stipend to cover meals and incidentals.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Members of an underrepresented group who are employed in an AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium may apply. International members of AZA facilities are also welcome to apply. Applicant must be an AZA individual member. This scholarship is merit based. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.

Ineligibility

An individual cannot be awarded the same scholarship more than once.An individual is not eligible to receive any AZA scholarship more frequently than every three years.