Apply for 2026 Recruitment and Retention Awards
The Recruitment and Retention Committee is proud to offer two Recruitment and Retention awards: one for recognizing service and one for fostering community development.
Community Development Service Award – The Community Development Service Award will be presented to an AFS Western Division Member who has exhibited service and commitment to recruitment and retention initiatives within the fisheries profession. The purpose of the award is to celebrate everyday, unsung heroes who dedicate their time and passion to recruitment and retention efforts. Nominations will be due early in 2026. We will add a nomination form to this page when nominations are opened.
Submissions consist of responding to how this person(s) has contributed to recruitment and retention 1) in the American Fisheries Society and within the Western Division, 2) within the workplace or academic setting, and/or 3) in the community and beyond non-AFS and workplace groups?. You will need to create an account to access and submit your nomination. Thank you for taking the time to make a submission.
Community Development Fellowship – The WDAFS Recruitment and Retention Committee presents this award to an individual interested in community development and engagement within the Western Division of AFS and the broader community. From August 2026 to July 2027, the fellow will participate in the Recruitment and Retention Committee and design and lead an initiative that promotes community engagement, especially with groups historically excluded from fisheries science. The fellow will receive mentorship and support from Recruitment and Retention Committee members. Applicants from underrepresented identities in the fisheries field are especially encouraged to apply. AFS membership is not required to apply for this award.
The recipient of the Community Development Fellowship will receive up to $1,000 (USD). $500 will be awarded to the fellow upon completion of the fellowship, and $500 will be given to the fellow as a travel award to an AFS meeting. The recipient is encouraged to use the funds for meeting registration and travel costs to attend the 2027 Western Division American Fisheries Society annual meeting. This meeting will be hosted by the Arizona/New Mexico Chapter in April/ May, 2027.
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter describing the applicant’s previous experience and interests in developing community leadership skills. The CV and cover letter should also include previous involvement in AFS and potential ideas the applicant would pursue as a Community Development Fellow. Please send the CV and cover letter to recruitmentandretention@wdafs.org by June 15th, 2026.
Applicants will be ranked on the following criteria and should address each criteria in the CV and/or cover letter:
- Applicants who indicate a strong interest in fisheries, oceans, aquatic science and management.
- Interest in developing diversity, equity, and inclusion-related leadership skills.
- Current and future planned involvement in a sub-unit, Chapter, Western Division, or the Society.
- Financial need, especially applicants who plan to actively participate at the 2027 WDAFS annual meeting and need financial support. This can include presenting an oral or poster presentation, assisting the planning committee, moderating a session, etc.
- Interests and potential ideas proposed.
- Applicants who are a student or early career professional.
Travel Grant Reimbursement
Receipts must be submitted to the WDAFS Secretary-Treasurer within 30 days of the annual meeting, typically by email. Instructions for reimbursement will be provided when successful applicants are notified. The travel grant recipient will be notified prior to abstract and early registration deadlines for the annual meeting.
**WDAFS recognizes that some students and professionals may not have the financial status to pay for meeting registration on a reimbursable basis. As such, WDAFS is considering ways to immediately reimburse travel award winners prior to the meeting for early registration. Please indicate if immediate reimbursement is requested in your application. Reimbursement will not exceed the amount awarded.
If you have any questions about these awards, please contact us at recruitmentandretention@wdafs.org.
Past R&R Award and Travel Grant Recipients
2025
Respectful Meetings Working Group – Community Development Award (formerly Service Award)
Respectful Meetings Working Group members – Sara Cannon, Eric Fetherman, Lian Guo, Laurie Earley, Shivonne Nesbitt, Kay Zipp, Carrie Pershyn, MeiLin Precourt, Jory Jonas, McLean Worsham, Alex Duncan, MJ Oubre
MeiLin Precourt – Community Development Fellowship
2024
Emily Chen – Service Award
Elizabeth Krone – Mentorship Travel Grant
2023
Members of the Idaho Chapter – Service Award
Members of the Idaho Chapter: Eric Billman, Jessica Buelow, Keats Conley, Catharine Coykendall, Kat Gilles-Rector, Robert Hand, Sammy Matsaw, Christine Stewart, Hannah Swain, Joe Thiessen, Rob Van Kirk
2022
No award given
2021
Cheryl Barnes – Service Award
Taylor Preul – Mentorship Travel Grant
2020
Cheyenne Owens – Service Award
Karli Tyance – Mentorship Travel Grant
2019
Dr. Zach Penney – Service Award
Jesse Gordon – Mentorship Travel Grant
