Available Grants & Scholarships

The PFI Endowment Fund was formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and especially to offer practicing foresters educational information and instruction so that the public in general will be benefited. Therefore, PFI will offer Grants up to $2,000 to qualified organizations whose programs would fulfill the purpose and objective of the PFI.  The Endowment is intended to be utilized by ACF Chapters and other organizations (e.g. universities, extension services, foundations, museums and research centers) to help underwrite the cost of educational programs.  It is the PFI policy not to pay overhead or indirect costs in these grants.  Organizations interested in applying for Grants should review the guidelines for submitting a grant application, criteria for selection of grant proposals, and format for submitting a grant proposal.

For this information, see documents available to the right.

CooperTen Student Scholarships – NEW

This new scholarship aims to provide a unique opportunity for a university forestry student to travel and work for ACF member firms for short-term paid summer internships for the summer of 2025. Scholarship funds will support the intern’s lodging and travel expenses while working for various firms.

PFI seeks student applicants who will have completed their second year of study by Summer 2025, with a genuine interest in consulting forestry, and who are self-motivated, driven, reliable, adventurous, and enthusiastic about pioneering this new opportunity.

The CooperTen Scholarship recipient will be expected to fulfill the following activities during the internship period:

• Work full-time for two to five consulting forestry firms in two or more ACF Regions during summer 2025
• Attend and present biographic and internship experience information at at least one local ACF chapter meeting
• Submit two one-page reports to the PFI Board of Trustees summarizing the internship experience
• It is preferred that the recipient attend the 2025 ACF National Conference

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Full time undergraduate or graduate student that will have completed at least the second year of undergraduate study by Summer 2025
• Field of study in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or related field
• A minimum 2.75 GPA
• Reliable vehicle transportation

Participating ACF Firms and Descriptions

The PFI Scholarship committee has solicited ACF member firms willing to participate in the CooperTen National Scholarship program for the 2025 summer period. Applicants are expected to review the list of participating firms, thoroughly research firms of interest, and choose at least two and up to five from the list that they would like to intern with.

The recipient will be responsible for securing placement with the selected firms and coordinating logistics and lodging with support of the PFI Scholarship Coordinator, Taylor Wilson.

CooperTen National Scholarship Announcement PDF

To apply for this scholarship, please click this link. The deadline to apply for the current year has passed, please stay tuned for next year’s deadline.

Practice of Consulting Forestry Course Scholarships

Every year the PFI Board offers a limited number of scholarships to cover a substantial portion of the registration fee for qualified registrants. The course is held in conjunction with the annual ACF National Conference and every other year in conjunction with the ACF Regional Conference. The qualified registrants receive the partial reimbursement upon successfully completing the course. To be qualified, registrants must either be an active ACF Candidate Member or an ACF Applicant during the time of the class.

For more information and to register for an upcoming Practice of Consulting Forestry class, click here.

National & Regional Conference Student Scholarships

Every year the PFI Board awards a certain number of forestry students a scholarship to attend the annual ACF National Conference and Regional Conference. Attending the ACF National or Regional Conference provides the selected students with the opportunity to learn more about the consulting forestry profession, to meet forestry students from other forestry schools and to interact with practicing consulting foresters and potential employers. Included in the scholarship is a complimentary conference registration and support for travel, including complimentary hotel accommodations.

Student scholarships for the upcoming 2025 ACF National Conference cover:

– Conference Attendee Registration (Sunday Afternoon Technical Sessions, Sunday Welcome Reception, Monday Technical Session, Monday Breakfast, Breaks, Lunch, and Dinner)
– Sunday (6/22) and Monday (6/23) night accommodations at the conference hotel (double occupancy).

Apply now for a PFI Student Scholarship to attend the 2025 ACF National Conference.

Emerging Professionals Scholarships

The Practicing Foresters Institute (PFI) Emerging Professional Scholarship awards scholarships to emerging professionals covering registration fees for the ACF National Conference and Regional Conference. The selected emerging professionals will have the opportunity to learn more about the consulting forestry profession and meet and interact with practicing consulting foresters and potential employers. All are eligible to apply, regardless of membership status in ACF. There are no defined age or experience level requirements although preference will be given to those in the early stages of their career or new to the consulting forestry or related profession and demonstrate financial need.

Emerging Professionals scholarships for the upcoming 2025 ACF National Conference cover:

– Conference Attendee Registration (Sunday Afternoon Technical Sessions, Sunday Welcome Reception, Monday Technical Session, Monday Breakfast, Breaks, Lunch, and Dinner)
– Registration for the Tuesday Field Tour

Apply now for a PFI Emerging Professionals Scholarship to attend the 2025 ACF National Conference.