Undergraduate Scholarship
2026 Award: One $3,000 scholarship will be awarded to a current student enrolled in a freshwater studies program at a Michigan educational institution (with a preference for lake and watershed studies). The scholarship recipient will also attend the 65th Annual MLSA Conference held in person on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center in Muskegon, MI, as our guest.
Application Deadline: March 6, 2026
Lake Research Student Grant Program
The Michigan Lakes and Streams Association (MLSA) is calling for proposals for the 2026 Lake Research Student Grants Program. The purpose of the program is to promote student efforts to work with lakes and lake communities to enhance lake management. Projects that increase the understanding of lake ecology, strengthen collaborative lake management, address inland lakes fisheries, build lake partnerships, and/or expand citizen involvement in lake management are eligible for consideration. This year, one or more grants will be awarded, with a total of $4,000 allocated to this year’s program. Proposals will be funded for a period of one calendar year. Projects must have a Michigan focus.
Who May Apply
Applicants must be either:
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University/College graduate student(s) conducting applied research/outreach projects
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University/College undergraduate student(s) working on special studies projects or
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Participants enrolled in or recent alumni of the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program, Introduction to Lakes Online, or similar Watershed Academy Grant
Application Deadline:
The deadline for the 2026 grant application is Monday, March 16, 2026. Awards will be announced in early April.