Next Gen Opportunities
Students & Emerging Professionals, click through the sections below to see updates on Conference opportunities catered to you! These opportunities include scholarships, workshops, mentorship opportunities and resources!
Presenter Registration Policy
Students & Emerging Professionals presenting and applying for a discounted rate must receive a unique coupon code before registering. Discounts cannot be applied after payment.
Student & Emerging Professional Scholarship Program
STUDENT / EMERGING PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONDeadline to apply is Friday June 12th 11:59 PM HST. Please review the eligibility criteria listed below before applying.
You will need confirmation that you got the discount, you will receive a code to register. without code discount will not be applied
In partnership with Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation’s Environmental Leadership Pathways Initiative, the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance and Foundation (the Alliance & Foundation) is pleased to offer the 2026 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference (HCC) Student & Emerging Professional Scholarship Program. The program supports students and emerging professionals pursuing careers in conservation and related fields.
Over time, the program has expanded to include high school students, college/university students, and emerging professionals from across the Hawaiian Islands. This year, the Alliance & Foundation will offer 180 scholarships. Recipients will receive a coupon code for discounted conference registration ($50 for the full 3-day conference), which includes access to sessions, the exhibitor hall, poster reception, and conference materials.
Student & Emerging Professional Scholarship applications are due Friday, June 12 at 11:59 PM HST.
All recipients must meet the program requirements listed below during and after the conference.
Neighbor Island Applicants: A limited number of $200 travel stipends are available for scholarship recipients traveling from neighbor islands. Stipends will be distributed Thursday, July 16 between 12–2 PM at the Scholarship Recipient Check-In location. Recipients must attend the full conference and be present to receive their stipend; checks will not be mailed.
To be considered, the mentorship application (included within the scholarship application) must be submitted by Friday, June 5 at 11:59 PM HST.
Scholarships are available to qualified applicants who can attend all three days of the conference.
Student Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Preference will be given to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
- A CURRENT Hawaiʻi High School student (including those who will graduate in May/June 2026)
- A Hawaiʻi high school graduate CURRENTLY enrolled in a College/University in Hawaiʻi (including those who will graduate in May/June 2026)
- A Hawaiʻi high school graduate CURRENTLY enrolled in a College/University outside of Hawaiʻi (including those who will graduate in May/June 2026)
- Student part of the Hawaiian diaspora – must be a current student
- An outside-of-Hawaiʻi high school graduate CURRENTLY enrolled in a College/University in Hawaiʻi (including those who will graduate in May/June 2026)
Emerging Professional Scholarship Criteria
The Scholarship Program 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 everyone’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.
Preference will be given to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
- An Emerging Professional that has graduated from a Hawaiʻi high school AND graduated from a Hawaiʻi college/university AND is 0 – 3 years into their career working in Hawaiʻi
- An Emerging Professional that has graduated from an outside-of-Hawaiʻi high school AND 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 AND graduated from a college/university outside of Hawaiʻi AND is 0 – 3 years into their career working in Hawaiʻi
- An Emerging Professional that has graduated from a Hawaiʻi high school AND has gone straight into the workforce (has not attended college/university) AND is 0 – 3 years into his/her career working in Hawaiʻi
- An Emerging Professional part of the Hawaiian diaspora – must be emerging professional no more than 3 years into their career
Successful Student & Emerging Professional Scholarship applicants will have:
- Submitted this application in its entirety.
- Demonstrated 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 below acceptable forms of Enrollment Verification. Enrollment Verification is mostly applicable to Student Scholarship applicants.
- Copy of your class registration
- Unofficial transcript
- Diploma with May/June 2026 graduation date
You will receive notification of whether you have been accepted into the program within three (3) weeks of submitting your application. DO NOT register for Conference until you hear back on the status of your application, as you will need the unique coupon code to receive the discounted rates during the registration process.
Program Requirements – If accepted as a Student & Emerging Professional Scholarship recipient, you must agree to fulfill the program requirements listed below during/after Conference:
- Sign in on check-in sheet each day of Conference at the Conservation Career Compass booth
- Attend the Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Networking Session.
- Complete Post HCC Scholarship Program Survey
Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program
Student Scholarship & Emerging Professional Scholarship applicants are also eligible to apply to participate as a Mentee in the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program coordinated by the Alliance’s Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Subcommittee.
This program connects students and emerging professionals from Hawaiʻi with mid-career and established leaders in conservation research and natural resource management, creating opportunities for mentorship, networking, and career guidance.
Learn more about this mentorship program here.
To be considered as a mentee, the Student & Emerging Professional Scholarship applications (including the Mentee application within it) are due Friday June 5th 11:59 PM HST. This earlier deadline allows the Nāhululiehiwakiupapa Subcommittee time to review applications and match mentees with mentors before the general scholarship deadline of June 12.
HEAR WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS HAD TO SAY:
“It was valuable and inspiring to connect with smart, younger people who have fresh perspectives. I can apply that thinking to my own strategic planning in my professional role.
Marian Chau, Mentor (Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program)
“On a personal front, I learned how valuable a simple introduction can be for someone early in their career.”
Trevor Taylor, Mentor (Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program)
“Having someone to turn to and ask questions during the conference was really reassuring and I also got to meet many people through my mentor that I likely wouldn't have had the opportunity to talk to without my mentor bridging those connections.”
Maggie Chen, Mentee (Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program)
Regular Student Rate
REGULAR STUDENT RATE APPLICATIONDeadline to apply is Friday June 12th 11:59 PM HST. Please review the eligibility criteria listed below before applying.
You will need confirmation that you got the discount, you will receive a code to register. without code discount will not be applied
The Hawai’i Conservation Alliance and Foundation (the Alliance & Foundation) aim to provide opportunities for all students to participate in our 2026 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference (Conference). This year the Alliance & Foundation is providing a discounted registration rate for currently enrolled students (within and outside of Hawaiʻi). Regular Student Rate applicants MUST indicate if they would like a 1-day or 3-day registration. Accepted Regular Student Rate applications will receive a coupon code for discounted registration ($120 for 1-day registration OR $220 for 3-day registration) and access to all Conference sessions, exhibitor hall, poster reception, and Conference materials. Regular Student Rate Applications are due Friday June 12th 11:59 PM HST.
This option is available for students who DO NOT qualify for the Student & Emerging Professional Scholarship program AND/OR would only like to attend Conference for 1-day.
Eligibility Criteria – Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Hawaiʻi High School Student (including those graduating in May/June 2026)
- Hawaiʻi College/University Student (including those graduating in May/June 2026)
- Student attending High School outside of Hawaiʻi (including those graduating in May/June 2026)
- Student attending College/University outside of Hawaiʻi (including those graduating in May/June 2026)
Successful Student Rate applicants will have:
- Submitted the application in its entirety.
- 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:
- Copy of your class registration
- Unofficial transcript
- Diploma with May/June 2026 graduation date
You will receive notification of whether you have been accepted into the program within three (3) weeks of submitting your application. DO NOT register for Conference until you hear back on the status of your application, as you will need the unique coupon code to receive the discounted rates during the registration process.
Student Presentation Awards Program
Student Presentations submitted to the 2026 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, (a) you must indicate that you are a student when submitting your abstract, (b) student presenter must be the principal author of the work being presented, and (c) must be enrolled in an academic degree program through the Spring semester/quarter of 2026 (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
Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Networking Session
WORKSHOP #244 “Conservation Career Compass: Sharing Pathways and Conservation Stories – Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Networking Session”
Day,
Date,
Time
Room
COMING SOON!
Just starting out in conservation and wondering what job opportunities are available? Want to hear career journey stories from established conservation professionals?
Are you a mid-career or 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 features topic-specific breakout tables facilitated by conservation experts from partner organizations across Hawaiʻi nei. Participants will choose from a variety of topics such as grant-writing, biocultural stewardship perspectives, polishing your resume, women in field work, and more! This session is a steppingstone in building a network of amazing colleagues and critical relationships that supports the ongoing work of protecting and restoring Hawaiʻi’s natural resources.
This year, we’ve added new topics, including managing finances, research careers, Indigenous people in academia, GIS/Mapping, and others.
This is an opportunity for participants at all career levels to engage in knowledge-sharing, connection-building, and relationship development. Connect with professionals who share similar interests and experiences and learn from one another in a supportive environment.
RSVP today to secure a seat at this networking session and be part of Hawaiʻi’s conservation story!
HEAR WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS HAD TO SAY:
- “From attending the networking session, I was able to gain a lot more confidence in communicating with others and learning more about what I need to do to go forward with my goals.” - Connyr Souza, Undergraduate Student (Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Networking Session participant)
- “It is both a great way to meet people across industries and disciplines as well as a way to reflect on your own journey.” – Kapono Gaughen, Graduate Student (Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Networking Session participant)
Next Gen Conference Journey
COMING SOON! Is this your first time attending the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference? Overwhelmed with the number 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!
- Opening Protocol
- Plenary sessions
- At least one (1) presentation each that represents:
- Mauka issues
- Makai issues
- Cultural knowledge, practice, and tradition
- Film Screenings
- Poster Reception
- Student Awards
- Closing Protocol