MEDA Scholarship Program

MEDA Scholarship Program

Overview: The Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Scholarship Program is designed to help MEDA members with limited resources continue to develop their professional skills in the area of economic development.

Purpose

Scholarships are provided for members to attend educational and training programs that they would not otherwise be able to attend due to financial restrictions.

Eligibility

• Member Status: Any MEDA member (active and associate) in good standing
• Organization Budget: Working in an organization with a yearly budget of $500,000 or less
• Volunteer Requirement: Must have completed at least one year of active participation on a MEDA committee or taskforce. New members (1 year or less) may apply if they commit to serve on a committee/taskforce for at least one year
• Membership Duration: Priority consideration given to long-standing members

Training Types

• Accepted: Education/training specifically in the area of economic development
• Not Accepted: Training outside of economic development
• Priority: MEDA training programs receive priority. Non-MEDA training only accepted if MEDA does not offer the same type of training

Award Details

• Maximum per Person per Year: $750
• Limit: One scholarship per person per fiscal year
• Limit: One scholarship per organization per year
• Total Funds Available: $2,500 per fiscal year

Matching Requirements

• MEDA training: MEDA provides 75% of program costs (applicant matches 25%)
• Non-MEDA training: MEDA provides 50% of program costs (applicant matches 50%)

Covered Costs

• Covered: Program (registration) costs only
• Not Covered: Travel, hotel, meals, or other miscellaneous expenses

Selection Process

• Point system based on organizational size, years in economic development, and participation in MEDA governance
• Applications with highest points receive priority
• Consideration given to how training benefits recipient's career
• Review Board at bimonthly MEDA Board meetings approves scholarships
• All Review Board decisions are final

Reporting Requirement

Recipients must submit a document after program completion describing how attending the program was valuable to their career in economic development.

Geographic Scope

Michigan statewide

Contact Information

Phone: 517-241-0011 Email: meda@medaweb.org Mailing Address: P.O. Box 15096, Lansing, MI 48901-5096