John C. Murphy Scholarship Program

NACCED Annual John C. Murphy Scholarship Program

Purpose
The John C. Murphy Scholarship fund is relaunching in 2026 as a opportunity for first-time attendees and newer community development professionals (1-3 years into their careers) to be able to attend the NACCED Annual Educational Conference and Training. 

Candidate Selection
A scholarship committee comprised of a Chair and several appointed NACCED members in good standing will evaluate all applications submitted and select winners. Not all who apply will win. Those who win will have their registration fee, travel, and onsite costs fully covered by the scholarship.
 
First-Time Attendees' Scholarship Eligibility

The First-Time Attendees' Scholarship will be awarded to a NACCED member who has not attended the conference and whose county has not recently attended. Winners will be selected by a scholarship committee, with recommendations made by committee leadership (Housing, Community Development, Education, Membership & Marketing).

Eligibility criteria:

  • Must be employed full-time by a NACCED county member in good standing (paid up on dues). Employees of member cities are not eligible.
  • Has never attended the NACCED Annual Educational Conference & Training.
  • County has not sent anyone in the past three years.
  • Commits to attend first-time attendees’ event at the conference on Monday, October 5 (exact time to be confirmed; will be afternoon eastern time).

View the first-time attendees' application and apply here.

New to Community Development Scholarship Eligibility
The New to Community Development Scholarship will be awarded to a NACCED member who is early in their career (1-3 years in CD) and has taken the Welcome to Community Development training occurring in March 2026 or via the recording.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Must be employed full-time by a NACCED county member in good standing (paid up on dues). Employees of cities are not eligible.
  • Must be fewer than three years into community development career.
  • Must have taken the Welcome to Community Development course live in March 2026 or via the recording.
  • Commits to attend first-time attendees’ event at the conference on Monday, October 5 (exact time to be confirmed; will be afternoon eastern time).
View the new to community development application and apply here.

The Deadline to Submit your Application is June 1, 2026.