UMSA Foundation Scholarship Program
Scholarship Sponsored by Upper Midwest Security Alliance Foundation
Scholarship Overview
Description: The UMSA Foundation scholarship program supports interdisciplinary collaboration and education in security and risk-related industries. It provides financial assistance to help develop future leaders and sustain these industries. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply, including in more than one eligible field.
Award Value: The program offers up to four scholarships of $3,000 each and eight scholarships of $1,000 each.
- Supports students pursuing studies related to security and risk.
- Offers up to 12 scholarships annually.
- Applicants may apply in more than one eligible field.
Scholarship Eligibility
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school seniors or enrolled undergraduate or graduate students in the current or upcoming calendar year. They must be studying an eligible field and expect to graduate after November 2027. Applicants must reside in, or attend school in, an eligible Upper Midwest state.
- Eligible fields: Business continuity and disaster recovery; cybersecurity; governance, risk and compliance; or physical security.
- Eligible states: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
- Ineligible applicants: UMSA board members, UMSA Foundation or committee members, and their spouses or children.
- Repeat awards: Individuals may receive up to two scholarships within a four-year period.
Selection Criteria
Evaluation: The selection committee considers each applicant’s alignment with UMSA’s goals, mission, and vision. It also assesses the quality of the applicant’s written essay response and the relevance of their personal goals or program of study. The committee may also conduct a phone interview.
- Alignment with UMSA’s goals, mission, and vision.
- Quality of the essay response.
- Relevance of personal goals or studies to one or more eligible fields.
- Phone interview, if requested by the committee.
2027 Award Timeline and Recognition
Application Timeline: Scholarship recipients will be notified in April 2027. They will be invited to receive recognition at the Secure360 Conference on May 12–13, 2027. Recipients will also be recognized through UMSA communications and on the UMSA website.
- Recipient notification: April 2027.
- Conference recognition: May 12–13, 2027, at the Secure360 Conference.
- Additional recognition: UMSA communications and website.