ABA Young Birder Scholarships

Tom Johnson was a gifted birder who found a passion for the natural world at a young age and lived life for what could be discovered every single day. Tom was a valuable mentor in the ABA’s young birder programs with his gentle guidance, contagious enthusiasm, and deep affinity for the wonders of nature. ABA’s Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarships for Young Birders provide needs-based financial aid to assist young people who are interested in birds to attend summer camps, workshops, conferences, and other bird-related activities. Over the years, the ABA has helped young birders embark on life-changing experiences, and many scholarship recipients have gone on to discover careers in birding, research, ornithology, or other related fields of study.

Doug Gochfeld has contributed a remembrance of Tom Johnson to North American Birds Vol. 75, No. 2, which can be found here>>

Application Instructions

  1. Scholarship Application Form and Essay Questions – Complete all required fields on the Google form and submit your application. Application form >>
  2. Letter of Recommendation Form – The Letter of Recommendation Form can be completed by a teacher, mentor, or bird club committee member that should advocate what they know about your interest in birding and why you are a strong candidate to receive this scholarship. Letter of Recommendation Form >>

Important Dates: Rolling deadline. Applications will be considered while funding is available. Scholarship awardee announcements will be made within one month of receiving your application.

ABA generally awards up to $500, as funding allows, but in some exceptional circumstances, ABA may award more if we see a case with special need.

Membership: ABA Membership is not required for the application to be considered. Student scholarship recipients will receive an ABA student membership.

ABA Scholarship recipients are required to write a one-page report or reflective essay within one month after the event concludes to help us thank the sponsors and donors that support the scholarship program.

Questions? Please email us at Scholarships@aba.org