FICP’s scholarship program reflects our strong commitment to advancing members’ professional development and fostering a more inclusive community by offering essential financial support.
Throughout 2026, FICP has provided scholarships for the Annual Conference, Education Forum and Certified Meetings Professional (CMP) designation.
NEW: As an additional opportunity, five (5) Presidential Scholarships are now available to help meetings professionals participate in the 2026 Annual Conference.
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Scholarship Opportunities
Event Attendance Scholarships
Funding to cover event registration fees, hotel nights for the duration of the meeting and a $500 maximum travel stipend to cover transportation costs. Scholarship recipient is responsible for any additional costs associated with attending the event. Available for the following 2026 events:
- 2026 Education Forum – approx. $1,750
- 2026 Annual Conference – approx. $2,000
CMP Scholarships
Funding to cover the CMP application fee ($375) and exam costs ($535) for at least one eligible recipient ($910 total).
- Scholarship recipients must apply and take the exam within 365 days (maximum) of receiving the scholarship and will be reimbursed when they have successfully passed the exam.
Key Dates
A special round of five (5) Presidential Scholarships is now open to support meetings professionals attending the 2026 Annual Conference. Applications are due Friday, October 23. Details about 2027 scholarship opportunities will be available in the spring.
NEW! Presidential Scholarship for the Annual Conference
- Application Deadline: Friday, October 23
- Award Notifications Sent: Tuesday, October 27
Education Forum and CMP* Scholarships
- Award Notifications Sent: Friday, May 1
Annual Conference and CMP* Scholarships
- Award Notifications Sent: Friday, September 11
*There were two application periods for the FICP scholarship program in 2026. Applications for the Education Forum scholarship and CMP scholarshipsclosed on April 10. Applications for the Annual Conference scholarships and CMP scholarships closed on August 14. No more than one CMP scholarship was awarded in the first application period.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a current FICP meetings professional member in good standing.
- For the Event Attendance Scholarship: Must have at least 12 months of full-time, continuous employment in the meetings industry or 36 months of full-time experience in the meetings industry.
- For the CMP Scholarship: Must have at least 36 months of full-time, continuous employment in the meetings industry due to CMP eligibility requirements through the Events Industry Council (EIC). Must remain an active FICP member to be awarded the scholarship funds.
- The same individual cannot receive both the CMP Scholarship and the Event Attendance Scholarship in the same calendar year.
- There can only be one recipient for each scholarship from the same company each year.
- An individual can only receive each scholarship once.
- Current FICP officers, directors and members of the Scholarship Review Panel are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
If you have additional questions, please contact FICP Headquarters.