The mission of ILMS is to promote and encourage the understanding and comprehensive management of lakes and reservoirs and their watershed ecosystems. ILMS offers several scholarships that help to accomplish that mission.

• Student Scholarship

• Lake Leaders Scholarship

• IWLA Scholarship

Student Scholarship

The Indiana Lakes Management Society (ILMS) is pleased to announce that financial assistance is available through the ILMS Scholarship Donation and Silent Auction Fund to help meet the college tuition needs of two applicants for the academic year.

Who is eligible?

1. Students who are currently enrolled (or planning to enroll) in Environmental Science, Aquatic Ecosystem or Watershed Management, or related undergraduate or graduate college-level classes. 

2. Students who are attending an Indiana college or university.

3. Scholarship funds will be awarded preferentially to those applicants who are planning to take classes related to aquatic ecosystems, but other classes may also qualify, especially if they are core classes of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s Degree program in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Fisheries, or Aquatic Resource Management.

How to apply:

Fill out the application and uploadyour resume and brief letter of interest containing at a minimum the following:

1. Career objectives, past experience in aquatic-related natural resource management employment or volunteerism, and community service

2. Course work for which scholarship funds are requested

3. Scholastic honors or merit awards obtained (e.g., Dean’s List)

4. A description of how this course work relates to the ILMS purpose and objectives (see below)

Where to apply:    

Application can be found at this link.

Applications will be evaluated based on the letter of interest and GPA. Scholarship Funds will be distributed in time to meet tuition needs for the Spring Semester. Students will also be granted an ILMS membership and registration fee, travel and lodging stipend for the ILMS Annual Conference. For more information, visit the ILMS Annual Conference page.   

Lake Leaders

Attend Annual Conference

• The Lake Leaders Scholarship provides funds for need-based scholarships to assist in building the capacity of the state’s lake leaders to learn about protecting our valuable water resources.  Up to ten scholarships are awarded each year to staff, board members and active volunteers of lake organizations to attend the Annual ILMS Conference. 

• Applicants must complete the scholarship application form and submit it to the Outreach Committee Chair.  Applicants must commit to attending the entire conference and paying for their own costs above and beyond what is covered by the scholarship.  Applications are reviewed by the Outreach committee.  Preference is given to those applicants who:

• • Are leaders in their lake or watershed organization

  • Express a financial need

  • And have not attended an ILMS conference in the last 3 years.  

• Those meeting the criteria and selected will receive complimentary registration to attend the ILMS Conference and a complimentary one-year ILMS membership.  Scholarship recipients must complete conference registration to attend the ILMS Conference.  Scholarship recipients are responsible for their own hotel, food and travel expenses associated with attending the conference. These scholarships are not transferable.  

Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy

The Indiana Lakes Management Society will offer up to two full scholarships to attend the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy. The academy gives participants the chance to: 

• Engage in basic and advanced level watershed topics covering leadership principles, watershed science, organization and communication, technology and GIS, stakeholder involvement techniques and policy skills. 
  
  

• Meet, learn from, and build a network of peers. 
  
  

• Interact with topic experts. 
  
  

• Gain strategies, skills, and resources for successful watershed management. 
  
  

• Earn a Professional Certificate in Watershed Management. 

ILMS is committed to helping lake associations, watershed groups and watershed professionals attend IWLA because we recognize the value of the network and the education needed by volunteers and professionals alike. 

Don’t take our word on IWLA – highlights from previous scholarship awardees: 

“I really enjoyed my experience at IWLA. I was able to learn about all the components of watershed planning that I didn't realize existed. From learning the different acronyms to learning how to access and use beneficial online platforms related to watersheds, the experience and knowledge that I gained is invaluable. “ 

“I attended IWLA in 2016 with the help of a scholarship from ILMS. The information was well-presented and helpful. Networking with other enrollees was especially valuable. I would recommend IWLA to anyone interested in learning more about watershed education, protection or conservation”. 

Learn more about the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy here.

Apply by filling out this application.