Ben Urbonas Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers
Overview
The CASFM Graduate Scholarship supports Colorado-based graduate students whose studies align with the goals of the Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (CASFM). The award promotes student engagement with the engineering and floodplain management communities and encourages research that advances CASFM objectives. Recipients may be invited to present their research at the CASFM Conference; if they commit to present by the registration deadline, conference registration and three nights’ lodging are provided. Funding and selection are administered directly to the student recipient.
Description: A merit-based scholarship for graduate students studying topics related to hydrology, hydraulics, watershed and floodplain management, stormwater management and quality, emergency response, meteorology, or climatology.
- Supports graduate research and professional engagement relevant to CASFM.
- Includes conference presentation opportunity with registration and lodging support.
- Awarded to students enrolled at Colorado institutions.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program at a college or university in Colorado and registered for at least 3 credit-hours of coursework per semester. Eligible fields include hydrology, hydraulics, watershed management, floodplain management, stormwater management, stormwater quality, emergency response, meteorology, and climatology. Previous recipients of the scholarship are not eligible to apply. Preference may be given to local applicants during selection.
Eligibility: Graduate students in Colorado with at least 3 credit-hours per semester in programs closely related to CASFM’s goals; prior awardees are ineligible.
- Must be enrolled at a Colorado institution.
- Minimum enrollment: 3 credit-hours per semester.
- Prior recipients cannot reapply.
Award Value and Application Timeline
CASFM has $5,000 available for the 2026–27 academic year to support the scholarship. Completed application packages must be received by the November deadline for consideration. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by November 13, 2026, and the successful candidate will be notified by December 1, 2026. Funds are disbursed by check directly to the student; presentation-related conference registration and three nights’ lodging are included if the recipient commits to present by the registration deadline (typically in August).
Award Value: $5,000 available for the 2026–27 academic year, disbursed by check to the student.
Application Timeline: Application due in November; shortlisted notifications by November 13, 2026; interviews mid-November; final notification December 1, 2026; presentation commitment deadline typically in August for conference benefits.
- $5,000 award for 2026–27.
- Strict November application deadline (yearly deadline applies).
- Key notification dates: shortlist by Nov 13, final by Dec 1, 2026.
Selection Process
Selection begins with review of the application package and a required short essay (up to 500 words) that describes the applicant’s personal and career goals and how they align with CASFM’s goals. A panel will shortlist three applicants for further consideration and conduct short, approximately 20-minute interviews. Preference may be given to applicants local to Colorado. The panel selects the final recipient following interviews, and funds are issued directly to the awarded student.
Application Requirements: Submit a completed application and an essay (up to 500 words) explaining goals and alignment with CASFM priorities.
Interview: Approximately 20-minute panel interviews for three shortlisted applicants; selection is finalized after interviews.
- Essay (≤500 words) required to describe goals and alignment with CASFM.
- Three applicants are shortlisted for panel interviews.
- Final award determined by panel after interviews; funds disbursed to student.