Conference Awards & Scholarships
Award nominations & Scholarship applications are now closed*
Applications for the Undergraduate Diversity Program have been EXTENDED to June 24! Go to "Program-based Scholarships" for more information.
Conference Scholarships and Travel Grants applications are open until July 29. Go to "Fund-based scholarships" for more information.
Awards & Scholarships notifications will be sent on July 19, 2022
Each year during the Annual ARNOVA Conference, 12 awards and 5 scholarships are presented to individuals for their outstanding achievements. Throughout the years, these awards and scholarships have positioned ARNOVA as an association that recognizes scholars, leaders, and practitioners' accomplishments, promoting and supporting nonprofit and voluntary action research.
Have questions? Contact awards@arnova.org
2022 Submissions closed

Distinguished Achievement and Leadership in Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research Award
Given annually for significant and sustained contributions to the field through research and leadership. Nominees must have demonstrated outstanding achievement(s) in the field of nonprofit and voluntary action research and/or significant leadership achievements in the advancement and promotion of such research over an extended period of time.
AWARD AMOUNT: $1000 USD
The Distinguished Achievement and Leadership Award is given annually for significant and sustained contributions to the field through research and leadership. Nominees must have demonstrated outstanding achievement(s) in the field of nonprofit and voluntary action research and/or significant leadership achievements in the advancement and promotion of such research over an extended period of time.
Please note: Nominees need not to be active members of ARNOVA by the time of nomination, but should be considered long-time members of the ARNOVA community.
Submission Requirements
- Two (2) Letters of Nomination (a maximum of two letters, two pages each): One letter must come from a different current institutional base than that of the nominee and at least one must be an ARNOVA member. Self-nominations will not be considered.
- The Nominee’s Curriculum Vitae
- All nominations must be submitted electronically in a single PDF formatted file to assure their integrity. Word documents will not be considered.
Additional notes
- At least one nominator needs to be an active member of ARNOVA
- The award recipient is expected to pay and register for the 51st Annual Conference. The award recipient will be invited to present a personal address to ARNOVA members at the Opening Luncheon on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Conversion Center in Raleigh, NC.
- The award recipient is responsible for booking and paying for their accommodations during the conference
- The award prize will be paid to the awardee(s) electronically after the conference. The Award winner(s) should provide all the information required for ARNOVA to process the payment
- The award recipient may be asked to serve on the committee in the following year
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: May 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022
Public Award Announcement/Public Release: September 2, 2022
2021 - Judith Saidel | Read Remarks & Jack Quarter - Posthumously | Watch tribute
2020 - Melissa Stone | Read Remarks
2019 - Susan Ostrander | Read Remarks & Dwight Burlingame | Read Remarks
2018 - Evelyn Brody | Read Remarks
2017 - David Renz
2016 - Thomasina Borkman
2015 - Jeffrey L. Brudney
2014 - Joseph Galaskiewicz
2013 - Steven Rathgeb Smith
2012 - David Hammack
2011 - Margaret E. Harris
2010 - Robert D. Herman
2009 - Marion Fremont-Smith
2008 - Peter Dobkin Hall
2007 - Joel Fleishman
2006 - Elizabeth Boris
2005 - Kirsten Gronbjerg
2004- Dennis Young
2003 - Lester M. Salamon
2002 - Victor V. Murray
2001 - Felice Perlmutter
2000 - Robert L. Payton
1999 - David E. Mason
1998 - John G. Simon
1997 - Burton Weisbrod
1996 - Virginia A. Hodgkinson
1995 - Amitai Etzioni | David Billis
1994 - Jon Van Til | Ralph M. Kramer
1993 - David Horton Smith | Robert Bremner

Gabriel Rudney Memorial Award for an Outstanding Dissertation in Nonprofit & Voluntary Action Research
The Outstanding Dissertation is awarded annually for a Ph.D. dissertation completed and/or defended in the three years prior to the award ( 2019, 2020, and 2021). Dissertations that contribute to the advancement of theory, conceptualization, research, or practice closely related to nonprofit organizations or voluntary action are eligible.
AWARD AMOUNT: $1000 USD
The Outstanding Dissertation is awarded annually for a Ph.D. dissertation completed and/or defended in the three years prior to the award (2019, 2020, and 2021). Dissertations that contribute to the advancement of theory, conceptualization, research, or practice closely related to nonprofit organizations or voluntary action are eligible. Nominations are especially invited in the areas where Gabe Rudney made significant research contributions during his lifetime: patterns of giving, tax policy and charitable giving and the nonprofit sector, economic contributions of the sector, or comparative international studies.
Submission Requirements
- Letter from Advisor explaining the nature of the work and how well it meets criteria for excellence in its field.
- An Extended Abstract, approximately five (5) pages. Nominees should be prepared to send a copy of the full dissertation upon request.
- All proposals must be submitted electronically in a single PDF formatted file to assure their integrity. Word documents will not be considered.
Additional notes
- Applicants need to be active members of ARNOVA prior to the notification date
- The award prize will be paid to the awardee(s) electronically after the conference. The Award winner(s) should provide all the information required for ARNOVA to process the payment
- The award recipient is expected to register for the 51st Annual Conference as condition of acceptance of the award. Exceptions may apply and be considered by the ARNOVA staff case by case
- Award recipient is responsible for booking and paying their accommodations during conference
- The award recipient may be asked to serve on the committee in the following year
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24. 2022
Awardee Notification: July 15, 2022
Public Award Announcement/Public Release: September 2, 2022
2021 - Peggy Sue Claire van Teunenbroek, Center for Philanthropic Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Lots of people give me money: Towards a comprehensive understanding of social information effects on donation behavior ❘ Watch Acceptance video
2020 - Jiawei Sophia Fu, Where Does Innovation Come From? Exploring the Dynamic Processes of Organizing and Managing Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation
2019 - Cassandra Margot Chapman, Toward a triadic understanding of charitable giving: How donors, beneficiaries, fundraisers, and social contexts influence donation decisions | Noah Jacobsen Isserman, Venturing into public good: From venture capital to the creation of state-supported venture philanthropy and its implications for third sector financing
2018 - Erynn Beaton, Managerialism, Mission, & Values: Micromechanisms of Nonprofit Institutionalization.
2017 - Claire Dunning, Outsourcing Government: Boston and the Rise of Public-Private Partnerships, 1949-present.
2016 - Tyrone M. Freeman, Gospel of Giving: The Philanthropy of Madam CJ Walker (1867-1919)
2015 - Sheila Cannon, Surviving the Peace: Process of Organizational Identity Work in Response to Deinstitutionalisation of Irish Peacebuilding.
2014 - Catherine E. Herrold, Bankrolling the Arab Spring: The Role of Philanthropy in Egypt's Political Transition. | Honorable Mention: Stijn Van Puyvelde, Applying Agency Theory to Nonprofit Governance: Theoretical and Empirical Contributions.
2013 - Khaldoun AbouAssi, Hands in the Pockets of Mercurial Donors: How Three Theories Explain NGO Responses to Shifting Funding Priorities.
2012 - Lewis Faulk, Nonprofit and Foundation Behavior in Competitive Markets for Grants.
2011 - No Award Given
2010 - Cristina Balboa, When Non-governmental Organizations Govern: Accountability in Private Conservation Networks.
2009 - Julie Darnell, Free Clinics: What are They, and Why Does the Number Vary Geographically.
2008 - Laurie Mook, Social and Environmental Accounting: The Expanded Value Added Statement.
2007 - Chris Einolf, The Roots of Altruistic Behavior: A Gender and Life Course Perspective.
2006 - Jiang Ru, Environmental NGO's in China: The Interplay of State Controls, Agency Interests and NGO Strategies.
2005 - Rene Bekkers, Giving and Volunteering in The Netherlands: Sociological and Psychological Perspectives.
2004 - Angela Bies, Nongovernmental Accountability in Poland: Mandatory versus Discretionary Self-Regulation.
2003 - Dara Z. Strolovitch, Closer to a Pluralist Heaven? Women's, Racial Minority, and Economic Justice Advocacy Groups and the Politics of Representation.
2002 - Patricia Dautel Nobbie, Testing the Implementation, Board Performance and Organizational Effectiveness of the Policy Governance Model in Nonprofit Boards of Directors.
2001 - Eric Twombly, Organizational Response in an Era of Welfare Reform: Exit and Entry Patterns of Human Service Providers.
2000 - Mark A. Hager, Explaining Demise among Nonprofit Organizations.
1999 - Betty Jane Richmond, A Social Audit Model to Measure the Impact of a Nonprofit Organization. | Honorable Mention: Ira Silver, Preventing Fires While Feeling the Heat: Philanthropists and Community Organizations Collaborating to Address Urban Poverty.
1998 - Loretta Sullivan Lobes, ’Hearts All Aflame’: Women in the Development of New Forms of Social Service Organizations, 1870-1930.
1997 - Jessica Elfenbein, To ‘Fit Them for Their Fight with the World’: The Baltimore YMCA and the Making of the Modern City, 1852-1932.
1996 - Femida Handy, A Micro-foundational (Economic) Analysis of Nonprofit Organizations.
1995 - Gaynor Strickler, VISTA: A Study in Organizational Survival.
1994 - Sheila Nelson | Kevin Barrett

Outstanding Article in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly (NVSQ)
All articles published in the previous year’s volume of NVSQ are considered for this award. No nominations required
AWARD AMOUNT: $500 USD
2021 - Per G. Svensson, Louisiana State University, Tara Q. Mahoney, SUNY Cortland, and Marion E. Hambrick, University of Louisville, What Does Innovation Mean to Nonprofit Practitioners? International Insights From Development and Peace-Building Nonprofits ❘ Watch Acceptance Video
2020 - Ruth Simsa, University of Economics and Business-Vienna, Paul Rameder, WU Vienna, Anahid Aghamanoukjan, Distance Learning University of Applied Sciences Vienna and Marion Totter, University of Economics and Business-Vienna, Spontaneous volunteering in social crises: Self-organization and coordination
2019 - Avner Ben-Ner, University of Minnesota, Darla J. Hamann, St. Cloud State University and Ting Ren, Peking University HSBC Business School, Does Ownership Matter in the Selection of Service Providers? Evidence From Nursing Home Consumer Surveys
2018 - Humphrey Bourne, University of Bristol, UK, and Zoe Lee: University of Bath, UK, Managing Dual Identities in Nonprofit Rebranding: An Exploratory Study | Mirae Kim, Georgia State University, The Relationship of Nonprofits' Financial Health to Program Outcomes: Empirical Evidence from Nonprofit Arts Organizations
2017 - Floris Vermeulen, Debra Minkoff and Tom van der Meer, The Local Embedding of Community Based Organizations - NVSQ Vol. 45, No. 1.
2016 - Lehn Benjamin, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and David Campbell, University of California Davis, Nonprofit Performance: Accounting for the Agency of Clients - NVSQ, 44(5)
2015 - Kelly LeRoux, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Kelly Krawczyk, Auburn University, Can Nonprofit Organizations Increase Voter Turnout? Finds From an Agency-Based Voter Mobilization Experiment
2014 - Gerhard Speckbacher, The Use of Incentives in Nonprofit Organizations
2013 - Anaïs Périlleux, Marek Hudon, and Eddy Bloy, Surplus Distribution in Microfinance: Differences Among Cooperative, Nonprofit, and Shareholder Forms of Ownership (Vol. 41, Issue 3)
2012 - Sarah Busse Spencer, Culture as Structure in Emerging Civic Organizations in Russia
2011 - Angela Bies, Evolution of Nonprofit Self-Regulation in Europe
2010 - Nuno Da Silva Themudo, Gender and the Nonprofit Sector
2009 - Lehn Benjamin, Account Space: How Accountability Requirements Shape Nonprofit Practice
2007 - W. Richard Scott, Sarah Deschenes, Kathryn Hopkins, Anne Newman and Milbrey McLaughlin, Advocacy Organizations and the Field of Youth Services: Ongoing Efforts to Restructure a Field
2006 - Judith Y. Weisinger and Paul F. Salipante, A Grounded Theory for Building Ethnically Bridging Social Capital in Voluntary Organizations
2005 - Mary Alice Haddad, Community Determinates of Volunteer Participation and the Promotion of Civic Health: The Case of Japan | Honorable Mention; Mark Schlesinger, Shannon Mitchell and Bradford H. Gray, Restoring Public Legitimacy to the Nonprofit Sector: A Survey Experiment Using Descriptions of Nonprofit Ownership
2004 - Marc Hooghe, Participation in Voluntary Associations and Value Indicators: The Effect of Current and Previous Participation Experiences
2003 - Dag Wollebaek and Per Selle, Does Participation in Voluntary Associations Contribute to Social Capital? The Impact of Intensity, Scope, and Type | Alnoor Ebrahim, Information Struggles: The Role of Information in the Reproduction of NGO-Funder Relationships
2002 - Mark Chaves and William Tsitsos, Congregations and Social Services: What They Do, How They Do It, and With Whom
2001 - Mark Chaves and William Tsitsos, Congregations and Social Services: What They Do, How They Do It, and With Whom
2000 - Mark Chaves and William Tsitsos, Congregations and Social Services: What They Do, How They Do It, and With Whom
1999 - Mark Chaves and William Tsitsos, Congregations and Social Services: What They Do, How They Do It, and With Whom | Honorable Mention: Janet S. Greenlee and Theresa P. Gordon, The Impact of Professional Solicitors on Fund-Raising in Charitable Organizations
1998 - Susan M. Chambre, Civil Society, Differential Resources, and Organizational Development: HIV/AIDS Organizations
1997 - Susan M. Chambre, Civil Society, Differential Resources, and Organizational Development: HIV/AIDS Organizations
1996 - Susan M. Chambre, Civil Society, Differential Resources, and Organizational Development: HIV/AIDS Organizations
1995 - Sheila Nelson, Catholic Elementary Schools in Chicago’s Black Inner City: Four Modes of Adaptations to Environmental Change
1994 - Javier Diaz-Albertini, Nonprofit Advocacy in Weakly Institutionalized Political Systems: NGDO’s in Lima Peru

Best Reviewer for NVSQ
The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly is the official journal of ARNOVA. All active reviewers for the previous year’s volumes of NVSQ are considered for this award. No nominations required.
AWARD AMOUNT: $500 USD
2021 - Marcus Lam, University of San Diego ❘ Watch Acceptance Video
2020 - Dyana Mason, University of Oregon
2019 - Per G. Svensson, Louisiana State University
2018 - Christopher Einolf, Northern Illinois University
2017 - Marc Jegers, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
2016 - Ram Cnaan, University of Pennsylvania
2015 - Michael L. Shier, University of Toronto
2014 - Woods Bowman, DePaul University
2013 - Kyu-Nahm Jun, Wayne State University
2012 - Thad Calabrese, New York University
2011 - Mark Hager, Arizona State University

Best Paper Submission
Papers presented at the ARNOVA Annual Conference can be nominated for this award. Nominations can be submitted by the paper authors or any ARNOVA member.
Papers presented at the 50th ARNOVA Conference from November 18-20, 2021 may be nominated for anonymized review through the online platform.
Authors can self-nominate their papers on the submission platform starting on Oct 27. Nominations will be also collected during and after the 50th Annual Conference at the evaluation forms’ page on the virtual platform. Papers nominated should be uploaded to the submission’s platform between October 27, 2021 and December 17, 2021 January 6, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST.
All papers will be adjudicated for anonymized review in the spring of 2022 and announced during the summer of 2022.
Any papers that have not removed all identifying information will not be considered for the award.
Any papers that have not removed all identifying information will not be considered for the award.
Additional notes
- Nominees need to be active members of ARNOVA prior to the notification date
- Nominators are not required to be active members of ARNOVA
- The award recipient is required to register for the 51st Annual Conference as condition of acceptance of the award
- Award recipient is responsible for booking and paying their accommodations during conference
- The award recipient may be asked to serve on the committee in the following year
IMPORTANT DATES
Call for 2021 Best Paper submission: | |
Best Paper submissions due: | |
Awardee Notification | July 19, 2022 |
Public Award Announcement/Public Release: | September 2, 2022 |

Best Poster Awards
All posters presented at the ARNOVA Annual Conference are considered for this award. No nominations required.
At each ARNOVA Annual Conference this award is given for the best poster presentation. Posters are judged by a group of ARNOVA members that volunteer each year to be part of the selection committee. Consideration is given to the contribution to the field, relevance to the conference theme and overall presentation.
- All posters presented at the ARNOVA Annual Conference are considered for this award. To submit a poster, check out the conference page.
Additional Notes
- You do not need to be a member of ARNOVA to submit a poster, but you must be an ARNOVA member to present and attend the conference.
- All accepted presenters are expected to join ARNOVA and pay the conference registration fee. The award recipient is required to register for and attend the ARNOVA Awards Luncheon as a condition of acceptance of the award.
- Award recipient is responsible for booking and paying for their accommodations during the conference.
- The award recipient may be asked to serve on the committee in the following year.
IMPORTANT DATES
Stay tuned to the 2022 Poster Proposals submission dates
2021 - Dr. Michelle Abraczinskas, Gabriella Alexis, Dr. Jenee’ Duncan, Zoe Flowers, Chandler LeBlanc, Alina McCloud, and Dr. Kimberly Wiley, University of Florida, “Centralizing Black Students’ Voices: University and Community Crisis Responses to COVID-19 and the BLM Movement”
2020 - Eugena Anderson, “The intersection of black philanthropy and Sports Philanthropy”
Runner ups:
Misun Lee’s, “We produce public goods: Classifying social enterprises through public goods theory”
Jonathan Oxley’s “Does additional mandatory reporting alter charity or donor behavior? Examining the 2006 pension protection act”
2019 - Bok Jeong, Min-Chung Han, Megan Winnicker and Jessie Coronel, Kean University
2018 - Seth Meyersand and Rebecca Pena, Rutgers University
2017 -Daniela Schroete, Western Michigan University
2016 -
2015 -
2014 - Kathleen Gallagher, Southern Methodist University and Matthew Ehlman, The Numad Group
2013 -
2012 -
2011 - Steffen Bethmann, Sibylle Studer and Georg Von Schnurbein, CEPS - Centre for Philanthropy Studies University of Basel
2010 - Isabella M. Nolte, University of Hamburg
Proposed research Awards
These awards are to fund future research.
2022 Submission closed

RGK-ARNOVA President's Award
The RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at the University of Texas at Austin and the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action [ARNOVA] offer this annual award to encourage innovative, foundational research in the field of nonprofit and philanthropic studies.
AWARD AMOUNT: $10,000 USD
The RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at the University of Texas at Austin and the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action [ARNOVA] offer this annual award to encourage innovative, foundational research in the field of nonprofit and philanthropic studies. This is not a typical research grant. The RGK-ARNOVA President’s Award provides a $10,000 prize to a member of ARNOVA to support basic research and theory building in the field of philanthropic, nonprofit and voluntary action studies. We are looking for new, creative work, and especially encourage projects that incorporate and apply insights, frameworks and theories from the social sciences to the study of nonprofit organizations, philanthropy and volunteerism. One grant is made each year, assuming a worthy proposal is submitted.
The Award recipient will be expected to produce a working paper that can be made available on the RGK Center website (www.rgkcenter.org) when finished. The recipient will be expected to produce the final paper within 12 months of the announcement of the Award.
Submission Requirements
- Proposals should not exceed 5 pages in length, single spaced and should include the following: It should describe the concepts, issues or problems to be explored, and the theoretical framework for the exploration. The author may attach a summary of literature that the project will draw on. A letter describing the author’s background and how that prepares them to undertake this research successfully should be included. Finally, a brief budget may be submitted that shows how the award funds will be used.
Proposals should be ordered as follows:
- Letter to the committee
- Five-page proposal, single-spaced
- Budget (if including)
- The proposal narrative should describe the character of and approach to the research to be pursued. If it involves data gathering and analysis, the proposal should describe data sources the project will use (or develop), and the methodologies to be employed in collection and analysis. It should explain the expected significance of this research and how it will advance a broader and deeper understanding of one or more of the important elements of philanthropy, nonprofits, voluntary action or civil society
- The proposer’s Curriculum Vitae
- All proposals must be submitted electronically in a single PDF formatted file to assure their integrity
Additional notes
- Applicants need to be active members of ARNOVA prior to submissions deadline. Any applicant determined to not be a member will not be considered for committee review
- The award prize will be paid by the RGK center according to their terms and conditions. The award winner(s) will be contacted by the RGK center to sign a contract before the funds are released
- The award recipient is expected to register for the 51st Annual Conference as condition of acceptance of the award
- Award recipient is responsible for booking and paying their accommodations during conference
- The award recipient may be asked to serve on the committee in the following year
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022
Public Award Announcement/Public Release: September 2, 2022
2021 - Viviana Wu, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Ji Ma, The University of Texas at Austin, and Chao Guo, University of Pennsylvania, "The Matthew Effect in American Generosity? Examining Inequality in Philanthropic Capacity Across Place and Time"┃Watch Acceptance Video
2020 - Marlene Walk, O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs IUPUI, Kerry Kuenzi, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, and Amanda J. Stewart, North Carolina State University, "Career Intentions, Commitment to the Nonprofit Sector, and COVID-19: Insights from Nonprofit Graduate Alumni"
2019 - Gary Adler, Penn State, Damon Mayrl, Colby College, Rebecca Sager, Loyola Marymount University and Jonathan Coley, Oklahoma State University, "The Contexts and Beliefs of Bureaucrats: Regulation of Local Church-State Relationships in a New Era"
2018 - Catherine Herrold, Lilly Family School at IUPUI, "Resurrecting Civil Society?: Grassroots Organizations and Citizen Empowerment in Palestine"
2017 - Susan Appe, Binghamton University, SUNY and Allison Schnable, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, “Balancing the Professional with the Expressive: Organizational Learning and Grassroots International NGOs”
2016 - Kelly LeRoux, University of Illinois at Chicago, "Racial Diversity and Organizational Performance in the U.S. Nonprofit Sector"
2015 - Reza Hasmath, University of Alberta
2014 - Jennifer Mosley
2013 - Brad Fulton, Department of Sociology at Duke University, “Bridging and Bonding: How Religious and Racial Diversity Influence Organizational Effectiveness”
2012 - Beth Gazley, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University-Bloomington, "The Rise of School-Supporting Nonprofits"
2011 - Melissa Stone,Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota,"Toward Understanding Governance In Hybrid Organizations: The Case Of Minnesota’s Charter Schools"
2010 - Eve Garrow, University of California, Los Angeles, "Competing Institutional Logics and the Dynamics of Institutionalization: A Comparative Case Study of Nonprofit Work Integration Social Enterprises"

UMD Do Good Institute & ARNOVA Global Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership Award
The Global Philanthropy Program at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy (with funding from the Do Good Institute) and the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action are pleased to offer an annual award to recognize and encourage innovative, path-breaking research in the field of “global philanthropy or global nonprofit leadership”
AWARD AMOUNT: $10,000 USD
The Global Philanthropy Program at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy (with funding from the Do Good Institute) and the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action are pleased to offer an annual award to recognize and encourage innovative, path-breaking research in the field of “global philanthropy or global nonprofit leadership” (i.e., the study of global philanthropy or nonprofit organizations/nonprofit management-related topics in comparative, international perspective). The award provides $10,000 to a member of ARNOVA in support new and creative work, with a particular interest in projects that incorporate and apply new insights, frameworks, and theories to the study of nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, or volunteerism in comparative, international perspective. One grant is made each year, assuming a worthy proposal is submitted.
Submission Requirements
- Proposals should not exceed 5 pages in length, single-spaced. The proposal should describe the concepts, issues or problem to be explored, and the theoretical framework for that exploration. The author may attach a summary of literature that their project will draw on and include a letter describing the author’s background and experience and how that prepares them to undertake this research successfully. A brief budget may be submitted that shows how the awards funds will be used, but a budget is not necessary.
- The proposal narrative should describe the character of and approach to the research to be pursued. If it involves data gathering and analysis, the proposal should describe data sources the project will use (or develop), and the methodologies to be employed in collection and analysis. It should explain the expected significance of this research and how it will advance a broader and deeper understanding of nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, or volunteerism in comparative, international perspective. We would also like to see a brief statement on the researcher’s dissemination plan.
- The proposer’s Curriculum Vitae should be attached.
- All proposals must be submitted electronically in a single PDF formatted file to assure their integrity. Word documents will not be considered.
Additional notes
- At least one of the proposal authors need to be active members of ARNOVA prior to the notification date
- The award prize will be paid by the UMD Do Good Institute according to their terms and conditions. The award winner(s) will be contacted by the UMD Do Good Institute to sign a contract before the funds are released
- The award recipient is expected to register for the 51st Annual Conference as condition of acceptance of the award
- Award recipient is responsible for booking and paying their accommodations during conference
- The award recipient may be asked to serve on the committee in the following year
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022
Public Award Announcement/Public Release: September 2, 2022
2021 - Reza Hasmath, University of alberta┃Watch Acceptance Video
2020 - Jennifer Jones, University of Florida
2019 - Susan Appe, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, SUNY
2018 - Dr. Khaldoun AbouAssi, American University
2017 - Pamala Wiepking, Erasmus University Rotterdam
2016 - Helmut K. Anheier, Hertie School of Governance
ARNOVA Book Awards
ARNOVA is pleased to announce the opening of submission for our annual book awards about philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, voluntary action, and civil society. ARNOVA is the leading network of researchers, university faculty, and practice leaders who focus on these subjects in their teaching, writing, and policy work. We seek to honor the most impressive work in these areas.
2022 Nominations closed

The Peter Dobkin Hall History of Philanthropy Prize
This prize will honor Peter Dobkin Hall’s memory by celebrating the published book that has made the most significant scholarly contribution to our understanding of the history of philanthropy. For purposes of the prize, “philanthropy” will be defined in broad ARNOVA terms to include the history of nonprofit organizations, civil society, and philanthropy.
AWARD AMOUNT: $500 USD
Peter Dobkin Hall was an active and long-time ARNOVA member, winner of the organization’s 2008 Award for Distinguished Achievement in Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research, and one of the most influential historians of the nonprofit sector of the last half-century. This prize will honor Hall’s memory by celebrating the published book that has made the most significant scholarly contribution to our understanding of the history of philanthropy. For purposes of the prize, “philanthropy” will be defined in broad ARNOVA terms to include the history of nonprofit organizations, civil society, and philanthropy.
Submission Requirements
- Books published in 2019, 2020, or 2021 are eligible for these awards. Publishers are invited to submit books they believe should be considered for these awards.
- Nominations should include a letter explaining why the book should be considered and attach the e-book for the review committee (Hard copies may be accepted upon request if the nominated book is not available in electronic form). Please include name, email address, mailing address, institution, and phone number for both nominee and nominator(s).
Additional notes
- The award recipient is expected to become an ARNOVA member after the notification date
- The award prize will be paid to the awardee(s) electronically after the conference. The Award winner(s) should provide all the information required for ARNOVA to process the payment
- The award recipient is expected to register for the 51st Annual Conference as condition of acceptance of the award. Exceptions may apply and be considered by the ARNOVA staff case by case
- Award recipient is responsible for booking and paying their accommodations during conference
- The award recipient may be asked to serve on the committee in the following year
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022
Public Award Announcement/Public Release: September 2, 2022
2021 - Elisabeth Clemens, The University of Chicago, “Civic Gifts: Voluntarism and the Making of the American Nation-State”┃Watch Acceptance Video
2020 - David King, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy,“God's Internationalists: World Vision and the Age of Evangelical Humanitarianism”
2019 - David Hollinger, University of California, Berkeley, "Protestants Abroad: How Missionaries Tried to Change the World but Changed America" | Tore Olsson, University of Tennessee, "Agrarian Crossings: Reformers and the Remaking of the US and Mexican Countryside"
2018 - Stephen Porter, University of Cincinnati, "Benevolent Empire: U.S. Power, Humanitarianism, and the World's Dispossessed"
2017 - Saniel R. Coquillette, Boston College & Bruce Kimball, The Ohio State University, “On the Battlefield of Merit, the First Century”
2016 - Amanda Moniz, National History Center, “From Empire to Humanity: The American Revolution and the Origins of Humanitarianism”

Outstanding Book Award in Nonprofit & Voluntary Action Research
This award is given for a single book, monograph, or edited book published in the three calendar years preceding the award. Books that contribute to the advancement of theory, conceptualization, research, or practice are eligible.
AWARD AMOUNT: $500 USD
This Outstanding Book Award honors the most impressive, new academic or theoretical research and is given for a single book, monograph, or edited book published within the three calendar years preceding the award (2010, 2020, and 2021). Books that contribute to the advancement of theory, research, or practice are eligible. Books developed as textbooks, journalistic accounts, and guides not based on systematic research are not eligible. Edited volumes are eligible for the award.
Submission Requirements
- Books published in 2019, 2020, or 2021 are eligible for these awards. Publishers are invited to submit books they believe should be considered for these awards
- Nominations should include a letter explaining why the book should be considered and attach the e-book for the review committee (Hard copies may be accepted upon request if the nominated book is not available in electronic form). Please include name, email address, mailing address, institution, and phone number for both nominee and nominator(s)
Additional Notes
- At least one of the book authors needs to be active member of ARNOVA prior to the notification date
- The award prizes will be paid to the awardee(s) electronically after the conference. The Award winner(s) should provide all the information required for ARNOVA to process the payment
- The award recipient is expected to register for the 51st Annual Conference as condition of acceptance of the award. Exceptions may apply and be considered by the ARNOVA staff case by case
- Award recipients are responsible for booking and paying their accommodations during conference
- The award recipient may be asked to serve on the committee in the following year
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022
Public Award Announcement/Public Release: September 2, 2022
2021 - Thomas Davies, University of London, The Routledge Handbook of NGOs and International Relations
2020 - Dennis Young, Georgia State University - Nonprofit Policy Forum (NPF), TFinancing Nonprofits and Other Social Enterprises: A Benefits Approach
2019 - Sarah S. Stroup, Middlebury College and Wendy H. Wong, University of Toronto, The Authority Trap: Strategic Choices of International NGOs
2018 - Jennifer Brass, Indiana University, Allies or Adversaries: NGOs and the State in Africa
2017 -Patricia Strach, University at Albany, State University of New York, Hiding Politics in Plain Sight: Cause Marketing, Corporate Influence, and Breast Cancer Policymaking
2016 - Richard L. Wood, University of New Mexico, and Brad R. Fulton, Indiana University, A Shared Future: Faith-Based Organizing for Racial Equity and Ethical Democracy
2015 - Christopher Bail, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Terrified: How Anti-Muslim Fringe Organizations Become Mainstream
2014 - Wendy Wong, Internal Affairs: How the Structure of NGO's Transforms Human Rights (Cornell University Press)
2013 - Wendy Wong, Internal Affairs: How the Structure of NGO's Transforms Human Rights (Cornell University Press) | Honorable Mention: Ashley Currier, Out in Africa: LGBT Organizing in Namibia and South Africa (University of Minnesota Press)
2012 - Kathleen M. Blee, Kathleen M. Blee, Democracy in the Making: How Activist Groups Form (Oxford Press)
2011 - Katherine Chen, Enabling Creative Chaos: The Organization Behind the Burning Man Event (University of Chicago Press) | Honorable Mention: Rieko Kage, Civic Engagement in Postwar Japan (Cambridge University Press)
2010 - Amy Singer, Charity in Islamic Society (Cambridge University Press)
2009 - Marc Musick & John Wilson, The Volunteers: A Social Profile (Indiana University Press) | Howard Lune, Urban Action Networks (Roman and Littlefield)
2008 - D. Michael Lindsay, Faith in the Halls of Power (Oxford University Press)
2007 - Kieran Healy, Last Best Gifts: Altruism and the Market for Human Blood and Organs (University of Chicago Press) | Honorable Mention: Peter Frumkin, Strategic Giving: The Art of Science of Philanthropy (University of Chicago Press)
2006 - Mark Chaves, Congregations in America (Harvard University Press)
2005 - Marion Fremont-Smith, Governing Nonprofit Organizations (Harvard University Press)
2004 - Alnoor Ebrahim, NGOs and Organizational Change: Discourse, Reporting and Learning (Cambridge University Press)
2003 - Mark E. Warren, Democracy and Association (Princeton University Press)
2002 - Eleanor Brilliant, Private Charity and Public Inquiry (Indiana University Press)
2001 - Joseph Galaskiewicz and Wolfgang Bielefeld, Nonprofit Organizations in an Age of Uncertainty (Aldine)
2000 - Margaret Harris, Organizing God’s Work: Challenges for Churches and Synagogues (Macmillan)
1999 - Richard Magat, Unlikely Partners: Philanthropic Foundations and the Labor Movement (ILR Press/Cornell University Press) | Jerome Himmelstein, Looking Good and Doing Good: Corporate Philanthropy and Corporate Power (Indiana University Press)
1998 - Kathryn Kish Sklar, Florence Kelley and The Nation’s Work (Yale University Press)
1997 - Daniel C. Levy, Building the Third Sector: Latin America’s Private Research Centers and Nonprofit Development (University of Pittsburgh Press)
1996 - Lester Salamon, Partners in Public Service: Government-Nonprofit Relations in the Modern Welfare State (Johns Hopkins University Press) | Francie Ostrower, Why the Wealthy Give (Princeton University Press)
1995 - Kirsten A. Gronbjerg, Understanding Nonprofit Funding (Jossey-Bass)
1994 - Evelyn Brooks Higgenbotham, Righteous Discontent: The Women’s Movement in the Black Baptist Church (Harvard University Press) | Kathleen D. McCarthy, Women's Culture: American Philanthropy and Art,1830-1930

Virginia A. Hodgkinson Research Book Prize
The Virginia Hodgkinson Research Book Prize honors the best new published research that focuses on, and is likely to positively impact, the application of new knowledge to practice and policy issues in the nonprofit realm. The award is given to the best book on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector that informs policy and practice.
AWARD AMOUNT: $1000 USD
The Virginia Hodgkinson Research Book Prize honors the best new published research that focuses on, and is likely to positively impact, the application of new knowledge to practice and policy issues in the nonprofit realm. The award is given to the best book on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector that informs policy and practice. The prize is awarded in honor of Virginia Hodgkinson’s pioneering research on philanthropy and nonprofit organizations. Books must have been published within the three calendar years preceding the award (2019, 2020, and 2021). Books can be considered more than once. Entries must be published by a university press or commercial publishing house.
Submissions from any discipline and multi-disciplinary approaches are welcome; and submissions are encouraged from young scholars, practitioners working with other researchers. Prior prize recipients are ineligible for a five-year period after their award is received
Submission Requirements
- Books published in 2019, 2020, or 2021 are eligible for these awards. Publishers are invited to submit books they believe should be considered for these awards
- Nominations should include a letter explaining why the book should be considered and attach the e-book for the review committee (Hard copies may be accepted upon request if the nominated book is not available in electronic form). Please include name, email address, mailing address, institution, and phone number for both nominee and nominator(s)
Additional notes
- At least one of the book authors need to be active members of ARNOVA prior to the notification date
- The award prizes will be paid to the awardee(s) electronically after the conference. The Award winner(s) should provide all the information required for ARNOVA to process the payment
- The award recipient is expected to register for the 51st Annual Conference as condition of acceptance of the award. Exceptions may apply and be considered by the ARNOVA staff case by case
- Award recipients are responsible for booking and paying their accommodations during conference
- The award recipient may be asked to serve on the committee in the following year
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022
Public Award Announcement/Public Release: September 2, 2022
2021 - Catherine Herrold, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Delta Democracy: Pathways to Incremental Civic Revolution in Egypt and Beyond┃Watch Acceptance Video
2020 - Sabith Khan, California Lutheran University and Shariq Siddiqui, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Islamic Education in the United States and the Evolution of Muslim Nonprofit Institutions
2019 - Christian Seelos, Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society and Johanna Mair, Hertie School of Governance, Innovation and Scaling for Impact: How Effective Social Enterprises Do it
2018 - Emily Barman, Boston University, Caring Capitalism: The Meaning and Measure of Social Value
2017 - Chelsea Clinton, Clinton Foundation and Devi Sridhar, University of Edinburgh, Governing Global Health: Who Runs the World and Why?
2016 - Pamala Wiepking, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Femida Handy, University of Pennsylvania, Palgrave Handbook of Global Philanthropy
2015 - Monika Krause, University of Longon, The Good Project: Humanitarian Relief of NGOs and the Fragmentation of Reason
2014 - Sarah Reckhow, Follow the Money: How Foundation Dollars Change Public School Politics (Oxford University Press)
2013 - Woods Bowman, Finance Fundamentals for Nonprofits with Website: Building Capacity and Sustainability, (John Wiley & Sons, 2011) | Honorable Mention: Mark R. Warren, Karen L. Mapp, and the Community Organizing and School Reform Project, A Match on Dry Grass: Community Organizing as a Catalyst for School Reform (Oxford University Press)
2012 - Elisabeth S. Clemens and Doug Guthrie (Eds.). Politics and Partnerships: The Role of Voluntary Associations in America’s Political Past and Present, (The University of ChicagoPress, 2010)
2011 - Brenda Bushouse, Universal Preschool: Policy, Change, Stability and the Pew Charitable Trusts, State University of New York Press.
2010 - Andrew J.F. Morris, The Limits of Voluntarism: Charity and Welfare from the New Deal through the Great Society, (Cambridge University Press)
2009 - Ram Cnaan & Carl Milofsky, The Handbook of Community Movements and Local Organizations (Springer)
2008 - Dara Strolovitch, Affirmative Advocacy: Race, Class and Gender in Interest Groups Politics (University of Chicago Press)
2007 - Mary Ellen S. Capek and Molly Mead, Effective Philanthropy: Organizational Success through Deep Diversity and Gender Equality (MIT, 2006) | Honorable Mention: Samantha King, Pink Ribbons, Inc.: Breast Cancer and the Politics of Philanthropy (University of Minnesota, 2006)
2006 - Francie Ostrower, Attitudes and Practices Concerning Effective Philanthropy |
2005 - Pippa Norris and Ronald Inglehart, Sacred and Secular: Religion and Politics Worldwide | Honorable Mentions: Richard Chait, Bill Ryan, and Barbara Taylor, Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards -and- Steven Dubb and Gar Alperovitz, The Democracy Collaborative, Building Wealth: The New Asset-Based Approach to Solving Social and Economic Problems.
2004 - Marc Morje Howard, The Weakness of Civil Society in Post-Communist Europe | Marion Fremont-Smith, Governing Nonprofit Organizations: Federal and State Law and Regulation
2003 - Benjamin Gidron, Stanley Katz, and Yeheskel Hasenfeld, editors, Mobilizing for Peace: Conflict Resolution in Northern Ireland, Israel/Palestine and South Africa | Lawrence Friedman and Mark McGarvie, editors, Charity, Philanthropy and Civility in American History
2002 -Guest editors Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff and Derick W. Brinkerhoff, “Government-Nonprofit Relations in Comparative Perspective” a special issue of the journal Public Administration and Development. Other contributors to the issue are Lori Brainard, Juliet Musso, Arthur Goldsmith, Denis Bouget, and Philip Warin. | Guest editors Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff and Derick W. Brinkerhoff, “Government-Nonprofit Relations in Comparative Perspective” a special issue of the journal Public Administration and Development. Other contributors to the issue are Lori Brainard, Juliet Musso, Arthur Goldsmith, Denis Bouget, and Philip Warin.
2001 - Lester M. Salamon, Helmut K. Anheier, Regina List, Stefan Toepler, S. Wojciech Sokolowski, and Associates, Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project, The Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies, “Global Civil Society: Dimensions of the Nonprofit Sector” | James E. Austin, Initiative on Social Enterprise, Harvard Business School, “The Collaboration Challenge: How Nonprofits and Businesses Succeed Through Strategic Alliances”
2000 - Richard A. Couto, University of Richmond, "Making Democracy Work Better: Mediating Structures, Social Capital, and Democratic Prospect" | Burton A. Weisbrod and Cagla Okten, Northwestern University, "Determinants of Donations in Private Nonprofit Markets"
1999 - Joseph Galaskiewicz, University of Minnesota, and Wolfgang Bielefeld, Indiana University, "Nonprofit Organizations in an Age of Uncertainty: A Study of Organizational Change" | Kirsten Grønbjerg, Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, "Mapping Small Religious Nonprofit Organizations: An Illinois Profile"
1998 - Paul Schervish and John Havens, Boston College, "Social Participation and Charitable Giving: A Multivariate Analysis"
Program-based Scholarships
These scholarships are workshops, seminars, or mentorship programs held before the Annual Conference. Selected participants are required to attend the designated sessions (in the format available) to receive any scholarship benefits.

Early Career Mentoring Program
The long-term objective of this Program is to prepare engaged junior scholars and practitioners to be better equipped to make significant contributions throughout their careers to the field of nonprofit and voluntary sector organizations.
The long-term objective of the Early Career Mentoring Program is to prepare engaged junior scholars and practitioners to be better equipped to make significant contributions throughout their careers to the field of nonprofit and voluntary sector organizations. In this program, early stage scholars and practitioners have an opportunity to learn from more experienced colleagues to advance their career, publishing, research, networking, and/or professional development goals.
- Writing and publishing
- Grant writing and seeking external funding
- Developing a scholarly identity
- Generating new research ideas
- Establishing a healthy work-life balance
- Establishing contacts and relationships with academics and practitioners
- Generating the most benefit from conferences and networking
- Making decisions to collaborate with others
- Navigating the tenure and promotion process
The program should not substitute existing formal advisors-advisees’ relationships in the participants’ respective institutions. It only supplements these relations. This means there are no expectations of specific deliverables, including reading dissertation drafts, drafting cover letters or grant proposals, editing, and reviewing publications, and conducting research or data analysis. While these are important tasks, they should be carried out within the mentee’s regular institutional channels and networks. Any more elaborate involvement is fully at the discretion of a mentor and a mentee.
Mentees Submission Requirements
- Applicant’s CV and Cover Letter combined in one PDF. The cover letter should describe the applicant’s motivation for participating in the program and the area(s) in which they would like to be mentored.
- Applicant must be an early career scholar in their first three years at an academic appointment or at a professional research institution or nonprofit organization.
- Applicants must be ARNOVA members with active memberships. Any applicant determined to not be a member will not be considered for committee review.
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS | GOALS AND CRITERIA
Additional Notes
- Individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education (such as African Americans, Latinx, and Native Americans) are especially encouraged to participate in the program.
- Mentors and Mentees are responsible for paying their conference registration. They will be expected to participate in the full 2022 ARNOVA Conference.
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: July 29, 2022
Deadline: August 29, 2022
Notification: October 3, 2022

Doctoral Fellowship Program
Do you have an approved dissertation proposal? Would you like to participate in a fellowship seminar with senior scholars and fellow doctoral students to receive feedback and research advice on your dissertation? This pre-conference seminar is for you!
2022 Application closed
AWARD AMOUNT: Complimentary Conference Registration & Conference Lodging (3 nights)
Goal:
To provide intellectual and research advice and mentoring and networking opportunities to doctoral candidates pursuing studies related to the fields of nonprofit, philanthropic, voluntary action, or civil society studies.
Eligibility:
Open to all doctoral students whose dissertation research focuses on a topic related to the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, voluntary action, or civil society. Students apply to one of two classes:
- Seminar A is geared to students who have defended or will defend a dissertation proposal before the workshop convenes.
- Seminar B is geared to students who have not yet defended a dissertation proposal, and whose dissertation plans may not yet be fully formed.
Selection Criteria:
The seminar has a limited number of seats (10 spots per group), so selection is competitive. A selection committee of seminar leaders give attention to the following issues: (1) The potential quality and impact of the scholarship; (2) The centrality of the work to nonprofit and voluntary action studies; and (3) the potential for the student to gain from participation in the seminar, especially students who may face limited support in their home schools.
Submission Requirements
- A three-page description of the dissertation research
- A brief statement regarding how the student expects to benefit from participation in the seminar
- A letter of recommendation from the dissertation advisor, including a statement regarding defense of the dissertation proposal and the kind of feedback that might be most helpful to the student
Students who are offered and accept a spot in the seminars must commit to sharing a 10-page document with all seminar participants by October 3er. Students must also be able to commit to the full-day pre-conference fellowship seminar.
Application Terms
- Previous participants of the Doctoral Fellowship Program are not eligible to apply
- Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships, however they may only accept one
- Applicants should be active ARNOVA members at the time of the application to be considered for this scholarship
- Selected Seminar students will be responsible for booking their own accommodations during conference
- ARNOVA will not be responsible for transportation cost, parking, or other travel related fees of selected participants
- The 3-night conference lodging will be paid electronically after the conference. The scholarship recipient should provide all the information required for ARNOVA to process the payment
- They will be expected to participate in the full 2022 ARNOVA Conference, which runs from November 17-19, 2022, offering fellows additional opportunities to learn about important issues in nonprofit research
- All participants are expected to participate for the full duration of the seminar(expected 8:00 AM – 7:00PM Wednesday, November 16)
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022

Graduate Diversity Scholars and Leaders Professional Development Workshop
This program focuses on helping emerging scholars from underrepresented groups prepare to enter the field of nonprofit, philanthropic, and voluntary action studies. The focus of the PDW is on preparing participants who are beginning master or doctoral level education and research.
2022 Application closed
AWARD AMOUNT: Complimentary Conference Registration, Conference Lodging (3 nights) and Scholarship Award of $1000 USD
The Diversity Scholars and Leaders Professional Development Workshop focuses on helping emerging scholars from underrepresented groups prepare to enter the field of nonprofit, philanthropic, and voluntary action studies. The program invites twenty-four (24) participants to the Professional Development Workshop (PDW) to be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 as a pre-session of the ARNOVA Annual Conference in Raleigh, NC. The focus of the PDW is on preparing participants who are beginning master or doctoral level education and research.
Eligibility & Submission Requirements
- Must be an ARNOVA member with an active membership at the time of application
- Previous Graduate Diversity Program participants are not eligible to apply
- To qualify for the Diversity Scholars and Leaders Program, applicants must be enrolled in or considering enrollment in an accredited graduate program with a focus on philanthropic, nonprofit or voluntary action studies (preference will be given to those already pursuing doctoral studies in these areas)
- The selection committee actively seeks applications from persons of traditionally underrepresented groups.
Application Terms
- Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships, however they may only accept one
- Scholarship applicants cannot be selected for more than 1 consecutive year
- Selected students will be responsible for booking their own accommodations during conference
- ARNOVA will not be responsible for transportation cost, parking, or other travel related fees of selected participants
- This scholarship provides a one-time monetary prize of $1000. Selected participants may be invited to join the program the following year of being selected. ARNOVA would provide complementary conference registration and 3-night accommodation
- The 3-night conference lodging and the scholarship prize will be paid electronically after the conference. The scholarship recipient should provide all the information required for ARNOVA to process the payment
- They will be expected to participate in the 2022 ARNOVA Conference, which runs from November 17-19, 2022
- All participants are expected to participate for the full duration of the workshop(expected 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM Wednesday, November 16)
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022

Undergraduate Diversity Scholars and Leaders Professional Development Program
The PDW will introduce participants to the world of non-profit social science research and pathways to higher education. Scholars will also attend panels based on each student’s research interest, will have opportunity to meet current graduate students and faculty from underrepresented communities, to learn alongside senior scholars in the field and to participate in an array of social and scholarly conversations.
2022 Application EXTENDED to June 24!
AWARD AMOUNT: Student Membership, Complimentary Conference Registration, Conference Lodging (3 nights), and Scholarship Award of $500 USD
This program would bring ten (10) undergraduates from underrepresented groups to the ARNOVA annual conference in November 2022 to attend a workshop on paths to higher education, ideally in the field of nonprofit, philanthropic, and voluntary action studies. Students will participate in a Professional Development Workshop (PDW) to be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 as a pre-session of the ARNOVA Annual Conference in Raleigh, NC. The PDW will introduce participants to the world of non-profit social science research and pathways to higher education. Scholars will also attend panels based on each student’s research interest, will have opportunity to meet current graduate students and faculty from underrepresented communities, to learn alongside senior scholars in the field and to participate in an array of social and scholarly conversations. The hope is that this opportunity will provide a window into the work and life of social science researchers and evaluators.
Eligibility
- Previous Undergraduate Diversity Program participants are not eligible to apply. However we encourage participants who are beginning master or doctoral level education and research to apply for the Graduate Diversity Scholars and Leaders Professional Development Workshop
- To qualify for the Undergraduate Diversity Scholars Program, applicants must be considering applying to an accredited graduate program with a focus on philanthropic, social science, nonprofit or voluntary action studies
- Applicants are expected to be in an undergraduate program by the conference time
- The selection committee actively seeks applications from persons of traditionally underrepresented groups. Preference is given to African-American, Hispanic/Latino Americans and Native Americans students
Submission Requirements
- A statement of interest (250 words)
- Reference Contact Information from a faculty member or nonprofit professional
- A copy of applicant’s current resume
- An unofficial copy of applicant’s current transcript
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022
Fund-based Scholarships
These scholarships support individuals to attend ARNOVA’s Annual Conference. We hope to make it possible for people of limited means to participate in this important event.

Conference Scholarships & Travel Grants
ARNOVA Conference Scholarships provide support to assist individuals to attend ARNOVA’s Annual Conference. We especially encourage applications from under-represented minority students, faculty and practitioners, and from our international and United States-based members from diverse disciplines.
AWARD AMOUNT:
- Conference Scholarship includes remission of conference registration fees
- Conference Scholarship AND Travel Grant include remission of conference registration fees AND a travel stipend of up to $250 USD. All travel stipends will be provided electronically after the conference
ARNOVA Conference Scholarships and Travel Grants provide support to assist individuals to attend ARNOVA’s Annual Conference. Though our resources are limited, we particularly hope to make it possible for people of limited means to participate in this important event. We especially encourage applications from under-represented minority students, faculty and practitioners, and from our international and United States-based members from diverse disciplines.
Eligibility:
- Plan to attend and present at the Annual Conference
- We strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups, from diverse disciplines, and from our international and United States-based members.
- Previous Conference Scholarships and Travel Grants Award winners are eligible to apply, though, priority is given to new awardees.
Selection Criteria:
- Demonstrated financial need
- Overall quality of the applicant’s ARNOVA conference proposal.
- Preference is given to applicants from an under-represented group, as defined by ARNOVA.
- Priority will be given to first-time attendees, and individuals who have not been chosen for a concurrent program scholarship in the current year, or any scholarship award since 2020.
Submission Requirements:
- Statement on the applicant’s interest in nonprofit research, and respectively why and how the ARNOVA conference will benefit you.
- Financial need statement (availability and shortage of other financial sources/means) with budgeted expenses.
- A curriculum vitae (CV) with background information on the applicant (personal and professional information). The CV should include all contact details (email address, telephone number).
- Copy of the confirmation of the proposal submission to the annual conference.
Additional Notes
- Awardees will be responsible for booking their own accommodations. They will be expected to participate in the full 2022 ARNOVA Conference
- Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships, however they may only accept one
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: July 29, 2022
Awardee Notification: August 5, 2022

Emerging Scholar Fund
ARNOVA’s Emerging Scholars Fund is given to ten (10) applicants annually to recognize the potentials of the next generation of nonprofit scholars and practitioners. This scholarship is designed to support the efforts of emerging scholars and practitioners to foster dissemination of research into practice and enhance involvement in the creation of usable knowledge.
2022 Applications closed
AWARD AMOUNT: Complimentary Conference Registration & Scholarship award of $1500 USD
Goal:
ARNOVA’s Emerging Scholars Fund is given to ten (10) applicants annually to recognize the potentials of the next generation of nonprofit scholars and practitioners. This fund is designed to support the efforts of emerging scholars and practitioners to foster dissemination of research into practice and enhance involvement in the creation of usable knowledge.
Eligibility:
- Scholars and practitioners in their first or second year of appointment in academic or practice positions
- Applications can come from a wide variety of fields, but research must be directly relevant to the field of nonprofit and voluntary action studies
- Must be an ARNOVA member with an active membership at the time of application
- Previous Emerging Scholars Fund winners are not eligible to apply
- We strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups, from diverse disciplines, and from our international and United States-based members
Selection Criteria:
- Strength of the applicant’s nomination letter
- Relevance of applicant’s research area to the field and potential of nonprofit and voluntary action studies
- Overall quality of the applicant’s ARNOVA conference proposal
- Priority is given to applicants who will present at the ARNOVA conference
Submission Requirements
- A brief nomination letter, from a faculty advisor, or supervisor, or someone who knows your research/work. The statement should introduce the nominee, describe the qualifications for the funds, mainly, their potential contribution to the nonprofit scholarship or field of practice, and verify the nominee is in their first or second year of appointment (academic or practice).
- A resume, containing a mailing address, email address, and telephone number where you can be reached
- Copy of the confirmation of the proposal submission to the annual conference
Please note that all submissions must be compiled into one PDF document and uploaded to the application form.
Application Terms
- Scholarship applicants cannot be selected for more than 1 consecutive year
- Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships, however they may only accept one
- Selected awardees will be responsible for booking their own accommodations during conference
- ARNOVA will not be responsible for conference lodging, transportation cost, parking, or other travel related fees of selected participants
- The scholarship funds will be paid electronically after the conference. The recipient should provide all the information required for ARNOVA to process the payment
- Recipients will be expected to participate in the full 2022 ARNOVA Conference, which runs from November 17-19, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Open: April 15, 2022
Deadline: May 24, 2022
Awardee Notification: July 19, 2022