There are many ways ZRA supports the training and development of its members: scholarships to attend AZA courses, subsidies to attend our conference, reduced registration fees for our online Training Certificate Program, etc.  There are so many other opportunities out there, though, that we can’t have specific scholarship for everything!  That is where the ZRA Professional Development and Training Scholarship comes in!  This scholarship can be used for any opportunity that provides records training.

The Board sets aside at least $2600 annually for this scholarship.  Additional funds may be added by the Board when they are setting the annual budget, but $2600 is the minimum.  The Professional Development Committee (PDC) releases $650 each quarter.  If no one applies for funds in a particular quarter, those funds roll over into the next quarter – so the next quarter might have $1300 to distribute instead of $650.  However, funds do not roll over from one fiscal year to the next.

The scholarship is available to any Professional or Associate member in good standing.  “In good standing” means the member is current in the payment of their membership dues, has not been reprimanded or censured by the Ethics Committee, and has not been suspended or expelled from ZRA in the past three years.  ZRA membership should cover the dates of the course or training opportunity.  In addition, the training opportunity must be related to the zoological registrar profession.

Download the application form.  Send the completed form via email to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Professional Development Committee (PDC) by the deadlines below:

• • Q1 (Jan. 1 – Mar. 31)  December 1
  • Q2 (Apr. 1 – Jun. 31)   March 1
  • Q3 (Jul. 1 – Sep. 30)   June 1
  • Q4 (Oct. 1 – Dec. 31)  September 1 

PDC will review all applications received by each due date and decide which applicants will receive an award and how much the award should be.  These recommendations are submitted to the ZRA Board of Directors for final approval.  Applicants will be informed via email of the decision at least one week prior to the start of each new quarter.  

For example, say there is a class you want to take on May 15th.  That date falls within the second quarter of the year, so you would like the funds for that time period.  You submit your application by March 1st.  By March 24th, you learn that you have won the scholarship and you can sign up for your class.  After the class is over, you share your new certificate of completion with PDC to receive the reimbursement. 

Any kind of documentation can be used to get reimbursed.  However, please be aware that the reimbursement needs to happen before the end of ZRA’s fiscal year, which is October 31st.  If your class occurs in the third quarter, please try to submit your documentation as quickly as you can!

There is a slightly different process for members who have achieved their ICRM certification.  ZRA is committed to supporting all members who are certified!  To request reimbursement of iCRM certification costs, use the Professional Development Scholarship Application and submit it with the letter from the ICRM awarding the CRA or CRM certification.  The application must be submitted within one-hundred and eighty days (180 days) from the date of the ICRM notification letter.

If you want to use this scholarship to attend an ICRM Exam Prep workshop, make sure you submit the application by the correct deadline.  For example, to attend a workshop in November, submit the application prior to September 1st.  

A portion of the scholarship funds are earmarked for ICRM reimbursements: ICRM candidates will get first shot at some of the scholarship funds.

This section of the website is still under development.  Please check back soon!