2026 Calendar

The SHRM Foundation offers professional grants to SHRM members seeking to earn their SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification. This grant awards one SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification exam as well as SHRM's online Prep System.

Please read the following guidelines carefully and in their entirety before beginning your application. Many common questions are answered below.

All applicants will receive a decision via email 8 weeks after the application deadline, regardless of when your application was submitted.

Eligibility

• SHRM Membership must be valid through August 31, 2026 to apply.
• Membership must also be active during your intended testing window. If you plan to test in Spring 2027, please note that grant distributions for that window are processed in January 2027 and grantees will need to have an active membership through February 1, 2027.
• Meet eligibility requirements for SHRM Certification. Please carefully review the requirements before applying.
• You must test in one of the following exam windows: Winter 2026 (December 2026 – February 2027) or Spring 2027 (May – July 2027)
• Must NOT already have access to the SHRM CP/SCP Prep System or be registered to take the exam

How to Apply

Complete the online application including:

• Contact information
• Short answer questions about academic/training and career experience and your need for the grant
• Current resume (or academic transcript if applicable)
• One letter of reference (letter may be addressed to the 'SHRM Foundation Grant Review Committee' and should provide insight into your character, academic or career and volunteer accomplishments, work ethic, and values. May be written by a work or volunteer colleague, professor, coach, etc., but should not come from a family member)

Selection Criteria

Applicants must request all recommendation letters through our application system. SHRM Foundation cannot accept recommendation letters directly from applicants. We encourage applicants to request recommendation letters early in the application process. Please note, you may submit your application without a letter of recommendation; however, this may result in a lower score.

Applications are reviewed and scored by SHRM volunteer reviewers, with staff providing quality assurance oversight. All decisions are final. Applicants may apply in multiple cycles, and previous recipients are welcome to reapply.

Grant Distribution

If you are selected to receive a SHRM Foundation Certification grant, you will receive access to the SHRM online Prep System and exam for the SHRM Certification for which you are eligible (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP). Please note that these components are awarded as a package and cannot be separated. The exam must be taken in one of the following testing windows: Winter 2026 (December 2026 – February 2027) or Spring 2027 (May – July 2027). If you do not use your Certification grant in either testing window, you will have to reapply for a new grant.

Please note, virtual testing has been discontinued and exam takers will need to confirm the nearest testing site. Please use this link to find testing center near you prior to applying. The SHRM Foundation does not reimburse for travel to a testing site, existing Prep System purchases, existing exam purchases, transfer fees, or any associated expenses. SHRM and SHRM Foundation employees or board members and their immediate family are not eligible to apply for SHRM Foundation Scholarships, Grants, or Awards.

 

Award Description

Each year, more than 200,000 service members transition from the military into the civilian workforce—bringing with them a powerful combination of skills, leadership, adaptability, and lived experience. 

The Everyday Hero Award, supported by USAA, honors outstanding veterans who have successfully transitioned from military service and are making meaningful, measurable contributions within their workplace. Their success in civilian workplaces is inextricably linked to their military service, and we want to honor their ongoing contributions and bring visibility to the talent they bring to workplaces. It celebrates the everyday hero—veterans who lead through action, demonstrate resilience, and positively impact their teams, organizations, and communities.

This award is designed to spotlight a veteran whose primary professional identity today is within the civilian workforce, particularly those in early- to mid-career stages who are actively building and shaping their post-military careers through meaningful workplace contributions. 

HR professionals are invited to nominate a veteran employee who exemplifies excellence, integrity, and dedication, and whose contributions showcase the value veterans bring to the civilian workforce.

10 exceptional nominees will be featured in a high-profile display at the SHRM Annual Conference, offering visibility among 25,000+ HR stakeholders and amplifying the message that veterans are a vital asset to the workforce. 

From this group, one Everyday Hero Award recipient – and their HR nominator - will be selected and recognized live on the conference spotlight stage. Additionally, the award recipient and their HR nominator will receive complimentary registration, hotel accommodations, and travel support to attend the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando, FL from June 16-19, 2026. 

Nomination Process & Judging

Who Can Nominate?

HR professionals, hiring managers, or business leaders who have hired and work closely with veteran employees.  

Eligibility Criteria: 

The nominee must:

• Be a veteran (former service member of the U.S. military, honorably discharged or separated, prior and/or current National Guard/Reservists
• Be currently employed in a civilian role
• Be an active civilian employee whose workplace contributions reflect the leadership, work ethic, and collaborative skills developed through their military service.
• Be in good standing with USAA
• Demonstrated exceptional leadership, work ethic, impact, or innovation in their workplace.
• Has overcome challenges in transition and made a significant impact on their organization.

Nominations are not intended for:

• C-suite executives
• Individuals in senior-most leadership roles
• Public figures 
• Individuals with prior contracted or paid consulting relationships with SHRM or the SHRM Foundation.

Judging Panel:

• A panel from SHRM that consists of volunteers including SHRM Foundation Military Community Ambassadors, SHRM, and USAA will evaluate nominations. 
• 10 nominees will be selected and featured in a recognition display at SHRM Annual Conference 2026. 
• One Everyday Hero Award winner and their nominator will be selected and recognized on stage at SHRM 26 Annual Conference.