ABC Humane Wildlife Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by ABC Humane Wildlife

ABC Humane Wildlife Control & Prevention, Inc. and Landmark Pest Management Academic Scholarship

Introduction
ABC Humane Wildlife (ABC Wildlife) recognizes that diversity strengthens sciences across disciplines — from biology to chemical engineering. Although women comprise roughly 48% of the U.S. workforce, they account for only about 13% of engineering professionals and approximately 7.2% of mechanical engineers. Women remain significantly underrepresented across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). As a woman-owned business in a traditionally male-dominated industry, we understand the difference women make in STEM careers. To support and expand women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and math, ABC Wildlife offers this scholarship to encourage more women to pursue STEM education and research.

Scholarship Purpose and Founder
This scholarship was established by Urban Wildlife Manager Rebecca Fyffe, a female entrepreneur in the wildlife management industry. Fyffe attributes her success and innovative, research-based practices to her STEM background and wants more women to access STEM programs and science-focused education.

Essay Prompt
Compose an essay (1,000 words maximum) responding to:
Why are you passionate about science, technology, engineering, or math, and how will your pursuit of these fields help preserve biodiversity, improve the health of our planet, or alleviate human suffering?

Who May Apply
- Open to persons who identify as female. U.S. citizenship is not required.
- Undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolling in or currently continuing STEM studies at an accredited college or university for the upcoming academic year may apply.
- The applicant must be enrolled at an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (see "College/University Approval" below).
- Fields eligible: science (excluding social sciences such as economics), engineering, mathematics, or technology.
- Ineligible: applicants who are employees of ABC Wildlife, Inc. at the time of award, and applicants whose parent or legal guardian is employed by ABC Wildlife, Inc. Finalists’ eligibility will be confirmed before winners are selected.

How to Apply
- Email your essay (≤ 1,000 words) to grants@abcwildlife.com.
- Use “Women in STEM Scholarship” in the subject line of your submission email.
- Include the following additional materials by the July 1st deadline:
1) Proof of enrollment (see examples below).
2) One academic reference letter. The essay, proof of enrollment, and reference letter must be received by July 1st.

Acceptable Proof of Enrollment (examples)
- Letter of acceptance from the school
- Official or unofficial transcript
- Housing verification letter
- Other documentation deemed acceptable by the scholarship screener

Academic Reference Letter (examples)
- Letter from a current or former professor
- Letter from academic program leadership (department chair, program director)
- Letter from a coach, advisor, lab supervisor, mentor, or other individual who can attest to the applicant’s distinguishing qualities

Reference Submission Notes
- The academic reference may email their letter directly to grants@abcwildlife.com (our screener will match it to your essay and enrollment proof).
- You may also submit the reference letter yourself. Both approaches are accepted and given equal weight.

Award Details
- One (1) first-prize award of $1,000 will be paid as a one-time educational scholarship and issued payable to the student.
- Up to nine (9) additional awards may be distributed at the discretion of ABC Wildlife, Inc.
- Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, academic projects, medical expenses, housing, living expenses, transportation, or other education-related costs.

Selection and Notification
- Submissions will be judged by the ABC Wildlife team on the quality and thoughtfulness of the essay.
- Winners are chosen after the July 1st submission deadline.
- Winners will be announced on or before July 15th on ABC Humane Wildlife Control & Prevention, Inc.’s Facebook page, and the first-prize winner will be contacted directly by email.

College/University Approval
The institution where the applicant is enrolled must be accredited and listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s official website. Transfer students’ schools are subject to accreditation verification.

Digital Rights
By entering this competition, you grant ABC Wildlife, Inc. ownership rights to submitted essays and images; these materials may be used in marketing, reposted, or displayed online in full or in part without additional notice.

Important Dates
- Application deadline (essay + proof of enrollment + reference letter): July 1st, 11:59 p.m. (no late entries accepted)
- Winners announced: on or before July 15th

Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the essay topic?
- See the Essay Prompt above. Keep responses to 1,000 words or fewer.

2) What should my email subject line say?
- Include “Women in STEM Scholarship” in the subject line when emailing grants@abcwildlife.com.

3) What counts as proof of enrollment?
- Examples: letter of acceptance, official or unofficial transcript, housing letter, or other documentation accepted by our screener.

4) What qualifies as an academic reference?
- Examples: letters from professors, academic program leaders, coaches, advisors, lab supervisors, mentors, or others who can speak to your distinguishing qualities.

5) Where do I send my application?
- Email to grants@abcwildlife.com.

6) How can I tell if my major is a STEM major?
- If your major appears on commonly used STEM lists, it is considered STEM. Please consult the STEM list resources you have available.

7) Can my academic reference submit their letter directly so I don’t see it?
- Yes. They may email it directly to grants@abcwildlife.com; our screener will match it to your materials. You may also submit the letter yourself—both methods are acceptable.

8) Does the academic reference have to be a former instructor?
- No. We accept letters from anyone qualified to describe how you stand out (instructors, tutors, supervisors, volunteer leaders, principals, deans, coaches, 4‑H judges, etc.).

9) Are late submissions accepted?
- No. Applications received after 11:59 p.m. on July 1st will not be accepted.

10) When and where will the winner be announced?
- Winners will be posted on ABC Humane Wildlife Control & Prevention, Inc.’s Facebook page on or before July 15th, and the winner will also receive direct email notification.

Contact
Submit applications and direct questions to: grants@abcwildlife.com

(Program provided by ABC Humane Wildlife Control & Prevention, Inc. and Landmark Pest Management.)