Student Opportunities
All Conference presenters must register. Please note that coupon codes are need to register under discounted registration rates. Do not register in Oxford Abstracts until you receive your coupon code as they cannot be applied after completion of payment.
STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARDS PROGRAM
Student Presentations submitted to the 2025 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference will be considered for our Student Awards Program*. Awards are given out based on scoring by volunteer judges attending Conference. Students are scored according to creative ability, scientific procedures, thoroughness, competence, and communication. Prizes are awarded to the top student presentations in the categories listed below.
Award winners will receive a cash prize as well as a Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance hosted ‘brown bag session’ to further connect with established professionals and share about their research/project.
To be considered for a Student Award, indicate that you are a student when submitting your abstract. In order to be considered, the student presenter must be the principal author of the work being presented and must be enrolled in an academic degree program through the Spring semester/quarter of 2025 (recent graduates are eligible). Undergraduate (high school, Associate’s, Bachelor’s) and Graduate students are welcome to be considered for Student Awards.
*Only those who indicate on their abstract submission form that they would like to participate in the Student Award Program will be considered.*
Graduate Student Award Categories
- Outstanding Oral Presentation
- Honorable Mention Oral Presentation
- Outstanding Speed Talk Presentation
- Honorable Mention Speed Talk Presentation
- Outstanding Poster Presentation
- Honorable Mention Poster Presentation
Undergraduate Student Award Categories
- Outstanding Oral Presentation
- Honorable Mention Oral Presentation
- Outstanding Speed Talk Presentation
- Honorable Mention Speed Talk Presentation
- Outstanding Poster Presentation
- Honorable Mention Poster Presentation
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Deadline to apply is July 4th 11:59 PM HST (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Please review the preferred criteria listed below before applying.
In partnership with Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation’s Environmental Leadership Pathways Initiative, the Hawai’i Conservation Alliance and Foundation (the Alliance & Foundation) is proud to announce the 2025 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference (HCC) Student Scholarship Program. This registration incentive provides a one-of-a-kind career development opportunity for students interested in pursuing a career in a conservation-related field. Over the years, the program has grown to include high school students and college/university students across the Hawaiian Islands. This year the Alliance and Foundation is accepting 80 enrolled students* into the program. If accepted, Student Scholarship recipients will receive a 3-day registration to Conference, which is inclusive of access to all Conference sessions, exhibitor hall, poster reception, and Conference materials, at a subsidized rate of $50 (normally $220) via a registration code.
Student Scholarship Applications are due by July 4th 11:59 PM HST (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis).
Student Scholarship recipients are also eligible to participate in the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program as a MENTEE. This program provides an opportunity for students from Hawai‘i to meet and network with Hawaiʻi’s established professionals in the conservation research and natural resource management community. If you’re interested in the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program, you must submit this Student Scholarship Application (Mentee application is contained within this application) by June 13th 11:59 PM HST.
*Preference will be given to applicants who meet one of the following criteria listed below
- A CURRENT Hawaiʻi High School student
- (including those who will graduate in May/June 2025)
- A Hawaiʻi high school graduate CURRENTLY enrolled in a College/University in Hawaiʻi
- (including those who will graduate in May/June 2025)
- A Hawaiʻi high school graduate CURRENTLY enrolled in a College/University outside of Hawaiʻi
- (including those who will graduate in May/June 2025)
- An outside-of-Hawaiʻi high school graduate CURRENTLY enrolled in a College/University in Hawaiʻi
- (including those who will graduate in May/June 2025)
- Student part of the Hawaiian diaspora – must be a current student
Successful Student Scholarship applicants will have:
- Submitted this application in its entirety. All applicants should be able to demonstrate their commitment to environmental conservation in Hawaiʻi within the Personal Statement portion of the application.
- Submitted enrollment verification to the file request link provided in the application. All documentation must display your name AND the current semester you are enrolled for. Please submit ONE of the following acceptable forms of Enrollment Verification: (a) copy of your class registration, (b) unofficial transcript, or (c) diploma with May/June 2025 graduation date.
Program Requirements – If accepted as a Student Scholarship recipient, you must agree to the following program requirements:
- Check-in each day of HCC at the Alliance & Foundation’s Conservation Career Compass booth
- Strongly encouraged to attend the Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Emerging Professionals Networking Session. MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!
- Complete Post HCC Student Scholarship Program Survey
Neighbor Island Applicants: We provide a limited amount of $200 travel stipends for neighbor island Student Scholarship recipients. If you are accepted as a Student Scholarship recipient and have requested a travel stipend, travel stipend checks will be distributed on Thursday July 24th, 2025 at 12 PM at the Scholarship Recipient Check-in location. You MUST have attended the entire conference and be present to receive your stipend. Checks will NOT be mailed.
Process: Applicants will be accepted into the Student Scholarship Program on a first come, first serve basis, provided the applicant has met the eligibility requirements and submitted necessary documentation. You will receive notification of whether or not you have been accepted into the program within two weeks of submitting your application. If you are accepted into the program you will receive a unique registration coupon code in your acceptance email/letter. At the time of registration, you will need to input your registration coupon code in order to be charged the subsidized registration rate of $50.
EMERGING PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Deadline to apply is July 4th 11:59 PM HST (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Please review the preferred criteria listed below before applying.
In partnership with Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation’s Environmental Leadership Pathways Initiative, the Hawai’i Conservation Alliance and Foundation (the Alliance & Foundation) is proud to announce the 2025 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference (HCC) Emerging Professional Scholarship Program. This registration incentive provides a one-of-a-kind career development opportunity for emerging professionals interested in pursuing a career in a conservation-related field. This year the Alliance and Foundation is accepting 20 emerging professionals* into the program. If accepted, Emerging Professional Scholarship recipients will receive a 3-day registration to Conference, which is inclusive of access to all Conference sessions, exhibitor hall, poster reception, and Conference materials, at a subsidized rate of $50 via a registration code.
Emerging Professional Scholarship Applications are due by July 4th 11:59 PM HST (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis).
Emerging Professional Scholarship recipients are also eligible to participate in the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program as a MENTEE. This program provides an opportunity for emerging professionals from Hawai‘i to meet and network with Hawaiʻi’s established professionals in the conservation research and natural resource management community. If you’re interested in the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program, you must submit this Emerging Professional Scholarship Application (Mentee application is contained within this application) by June 13th 11:59 PM HST.
*Preference will be given to applicants who meet one of the following criteria listed below
The Scholarship Program Criteria defines “career” as time spent in professional development/training programs and/or employment related to conservation work after graduating college/university. Please note that we will take into consideration the uniqueness of each individual’s situation. For example, an individual that graduated college/university and went straight into conservation related employment vs. an individual that graduated college/university worked non-conservation related jobs for 2 years and then gained conservation related employment. Please be sure to be as detailed as possible when filling out the Career Information and School Information sections of your application.
- An Emerging Professional that has graduated from a Hawaiʻi high school & graduated from a Hawaiʻi college/university and is 0 – 3 years into their career working in Hawaiʻi
- An Emerging Professional that has graduated from a Hawaiʻi high school & graduated from a college/university outside of Hawaiʻi and is 0 – 3 years into their career working in Hawaiʻi
- Emerging Professional – That has graduated from an outside-of-Hawaiʻi high school & graduated from a Hawaiʻi college/university and is 0 – 3 years into their career working in Hawaiʻi
- Emerging Professional – That has graduated from a Hawaiʻi high school & has gone straight into the workforce (has not attended college/university) and is 0 – 3 years into his/her career working in Hawaiʻi
- Emerging Professional part of the Hawaiian diaspora – must be emerging professional no more than 3 years into their career
Successful Emerging Professional Scholarship applicants will have:
- Submitted this application in its entirety. All applicants should be able to demonstrate their commitment to environmental conservation in Hawaiʻi within the Personal Statement portion of the application.
Program Requirements – If accepted as an Emerging Professional Scholarship recipient, you must agree to the following program requirements:
- Check-in each day of HCC at the Alliance & Foundation’s Conservation Career Compass booth
- Attend the Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Emerging Professionals Networking Session. MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!
- Complete Post HCC Emerging Professional Scholarship Program Survey
Neighbor Island Applicants: We provide a limited amount of $200 travel stipends for neighbor island Emerging Professional Scholarship recipients. If you are accepted as an Emerging Professional Scholarship recipient and have requested a travel stipend, travel stipend checks will be distributed on Thursday July 24th, 2025 at 12 PM at the Scholarship Recipient Check-in location. You MUST have attended the entire conference and be present to receive your stipend. Checks will NOT be mailed.
Process: Applicants will be accepted into the Emerging Professional Scholarship Program on a first come, first serve basis, provided the applicant has met the eligibility requirements and submitted necessary documentation. You will receive notification of whether or not you have been accepted into the program within two weeks of submitting your application. If you are accepted into the program you will receive a unique registration coupon code in your acceptance email. At the time of registration, you will need to input your registration coupon code in order to be charged the subsidized registration rate of $50. If there are extra scholarship slots available, the Emerging Professional Scholarship Application will re-open. At that point, applicants will be considered and accepted into Emerging Professional Scholarship Program on a rolling basis, provided the applicant has met the eligibility requirements.
PŪLAMA KUAMOʻO MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Student Scholarship & Emerging Professional Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply to participate as Mentees in the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program coordinated by the Alliance’s Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Subcommittee. The intention of this program is to provide an opportunity for students & emerging professionals from Hawai‘i to meet and network with Hawaiʻi’s established professionals in the conservation research and natural resource management community. To apply for the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program, you must indicate your interest on your Student Scholarship Application or Emerging Professionals Scholarship Application. Learn more about this mentorship program here.
If you’re interested in the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program, you must submit the Student/Emerging Professional Scholarship Application (Mentee application is contained within this application) by June 13th 11:59 PM HST.
STUDENT RATE
Deadline to apply is July 4th 11:59 PM HST (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Please review the preferred criteria listed below before applying.
The Hawai’i Conservation Alliance and Foundation (the Alliance & Foundation) aims to provide opportunities for all students to participate in our 2025 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference (Conference). This year the Alliance & Foundation is providing a discounted registration rate for currently enrolled students (within and outside of Hawaiʻi). This option is available for students who do not receive a Student Scholarship, do not wish to participate in the Scholarship Program, or would only like to attend Conference for 1-day. Qualifying* students will receive a 3-day registration to Conference, which is inclusive of access to all Conference sessions, exhibitor hall, poster reception, and Conference materials at a discounted rate of $120 (1-day rate) or $220 (3-day rate) via a registration coupon code.
Student Rate Applications are due July 4th 11:59 PM HST (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis).
*A qualifying applicant will meet one of the following criteria listed below:
- Hawaiʻi High School Student
- (including those graduating in May/June 2025)
- Hawaiʻi College/University Student
- (including those graduating in May/June 2025)
- Student attending High School outside of Hawaiʻi
- (including those graduating in May/June 2025)
- Student attending College/University outside of Hawaiʻi
- (including those graduating in May/June 2025)
Successful Student Rate applicants will have:
- Submitted this application in its entirety. You must indicate in the application what kind of registration you want, 1-day or 3-day.
- Submitted enrollment verification to the file request link provided in the application. All documentation must display your name AND the current semester you are enrolled for. Please submit ONE of the following acceptable forms of Enrollment Verification: (a) copy of your class registration, (b) unofficial transcript, or (c) diploma with May/June 2024 graduation date.
Process: All applicants will receive the discounted registration rate, provided the applicant has met the eligibility requirements and submitted necessary documentation, on a rolling basis. You will receive notification of whether or not you have been accepted into the program within two weeks of submitting your application. If you are accepted into the program you will receive a unique registration coupon code in your acceptance email. At the time of registration, you will need to input your registration coupon code in order to be charged the discounted rate of $120 (1-day rate) or $220 (3-day rate).
NĀHULULEIHIWAKUIPAPA EMERGING PROFESSIONALS NETWORKING SESSION
WORKSHOP #270 “Conservation Connections: Explore Your Possible Pathways – Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Networking Session”
Wednesday July 23rd
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Room 311
Just starting out in conservation and wondering about learning/job opportunities that are available? Want to hear career journey stories from established conservation professionals?
Are you a mid-career/established professional that wants to give back to the up-and-coming generation of conservation stewards? Want to meet potential new hires and colleagues?
Join us for a 2-hour networking session hosted by Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance’s Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Subcommittee! This session will offer topic-specic breakout group tables facilitated by conservation experts from partner organizations across the state of Hawaiʻi. Session participants will be able to pick from a variety of topics such as grant-writing, biocultural stewardship perspectives, polishing your resume, applying for federal jobs, and so much more!
This is an opportunity for all career levels to engage in knowledge-sharing, connection-building, and cultivating relationships to enhance their career in conservation by meeting with professionals from across Hawaiʻi who have similar interests and can share their experiences to help each other succeed!
RSVP COMING SOON so you can secure your seat at this premium networking session that can jumpstart your conservation career and broaden your horizons!
NEXT GEN JOURNEY
Is this your first time attending the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference? Overwhelmed with the amount of presentations taking place on the Conference Schedule? Check out the Conference Next Gen Journey!! This document is created by the Alliance’s Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Subcommittee to provide suggested content that students and emerging professionals should attend during this year’s Conference. It also contains a few tips and advice about how to attend Conference, network and find opportunities. We hope you have a great time at Conference!
For the Next Gen Journey, while not specifically targeting the emerging professional audience, except for the 2nd day Local Workforce Plenary, we recommend that participants attend:
- opening protocol
- the other plenaries
- film screening
- Poster reception
- Student awards
- closing protocols
In addition, we highly encourage participants to see at least one presentation each that represent mauka issues, makai issues, and cultural knowledge, practice, and tradition.
July 22nd
COMING SOON!
July 23rd
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July 24th
COMING SOON!
2025 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference Sponsors
