The online application process is now closed and will reopen on October 15, 2026.

In 2026, Ducks Unlimited (DU) awarded 61 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who were DU members. The scholarship program is open to all senior student members; however, it is targeted at volunteers who have shown an exceptional level of commitment to wetlands conservation through participation in their DU Varsity (high school) club/chapter and/or local DU community chapter. In addition, students must maintain a cumulative high school GPA of 2.8 or higher to be eligible to apply.

Click here to view the entire list of 2026 Scholarship recipients.

Each year, DU will award 61 one-time scholarships to eligible applicants at the following levels:

• 50 Varsity Scholarships at $500 each
• 10 Conservation Scholarships at $1,000 each
• 1 National Scholarship of $10,000

Applicants will provide their high school transcript, DU member/volunteer history, a list of any service or academic awards received, and up to three letters of recommendation highlighting their DU involvement and commitment to conservation. In addition, each applicant will write an essay of up to 500 words describing how his or her outdoor experiences have contributed to their understanding of the importance of wetlands and wetlands conservation, and the ways in which he or she has acted and/or intends to act on this knowledge.

Applications will be reviewed by a volunteer panel appointed by DU's Senior Vice President and Advisory to the President for the National Youth Engagement Committee for a two-year term. The panel will grade applications on a weighted scale, emphasizing volunteer history, leadership, and academic excellence.

Scholarship recipients will be notified in the spring, with awarded checks released to the student's two-year accredited school/community college, four-year college/university, or trade/technical school. Recipients will be recognized in Ducks Unlimited magazine, and, prior to the fall semester, the national scholarship winner will be announced during the DU National Convention.

For more information on the Ducks Unlimited National Scholarship Program, please contact Mark Horobetz at 901-758-3892 or mhorobetz@ducks.org.

Click here for a one-sheet PDF about the program.