Rachel Gordon Fischoff Educational Scholarship

Name: Rachel Gordon Fischoff Educational Scholarship

Award Amount: $650 educational credit (redeemable through NWRA)

Information And Eligibility:
The Rachel Gordon Fischoff Educational Scholarship is a mission-driven educational award designed to support the professional growth of wildlife rehabilitators and wildlife rehabilitation organizations worldwide. Offered through the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA), this scholarship was established and funded by Rachel Gordon Fischoff, a life member of NWRA, to expand access to high-quality wildlife rehabilitation education and training.

Rather than a direct cash award, this scholarship provides a $650 USD credit certificate that may be redeemed exclusively through NWRA. The credit can be used toward a wide range of NWRA educational resources, including printed and digital educational publications, symposium registration fees, field trips, workshops, and NWRA membership dues for up to two years. Shipping costs for publications are also eligible. This structure ensures that scholarship funds are applied directly toward continuing education and professional development within the wildlife rehabilitation field.

The scholarship is open to individual wildlife rehabilitators as well as nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organizations located anywhere in the world. Applicants may be at any stage of their rehabilitation journey, though preference is generally given to individuals who have not received an NWRA scholarship within the previous one to two years. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how the educational resources supported by this scholarship will enhance their skills, knowledge, and ability to care for wildlife ethically and effectively.

Credit awarded through the Rachel Gordon Fischoff Educational Scholarship must be fully redeemed by December 15 of the year in which it is awarded. Any unused portion of the credit expires after that date. Scholarship recipients are notified by January 1, and the award is publicly announced during the NWRA Symposium. Recipients are also asked to contribute a short written reflection—typically one or two paragraphs—for NWRA publications, describing how the scholarship benefited their rehabilitation work or educational experience.

This scholarship plays an important role in strengthening the global wildlife rehabilitation community by reducing financial barriers to education. By supporting access to training, publications, and professional gatherings, the Rachel Gordon Fischoff Educational Scholarship helps ensure that rehabilitators are equipped with current best practices, scientific knowledge, and ethical standards necessary to provide high-quality care to injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be an individual wildlife rehabilitator or a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization.
• Applicants may be located anywhere in the world.
• Applicants are generally recommended to be at least 16 years of age.
• Preference is given to applicants who have not received an NWRA scholarship in the previous one to two years.

Application Requirements:

• Completed NWRA scholarship application form (submitted in English).
• Two signed letters of recommendation.
• Letters of recommendation must be on letterhead where possible and submitted directly to NWRA.
• Applicants selected must provide a short written summary for NWRA publications after receiving the award.

Deadline: November

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