2026 Annual Conference Grant

Annual Conference Grants

Conference attendance allows people to meet one another, as well as learn and discuss issues and ideas relevant to their work.  As such, members are encouraged to apply for SHRM Annual Conference & Expo grants.

Eligibility

• To be eligible for an award, applicants must be ONE of the following:               
  • Employed (full or part-time)
  • Unemployed and Full-Time Student
  • Have a SHRM membership through June 30 of the year the award is accepted 
  • Not be registered for the conference 
  • Not have received a SHRM Annual Conference & Expo award in the past five years
     

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed and scored by groups of SHRM volunteers and are reviewed by staff. The review committee will select individuals whom they believe are most likely to leverage this learning opportunity. They will seek candidates who are eager to learn and plan to apply the skills and knowledge gained to benefit their careers, their organizations, and their communities. HR professionals who are new to the field are encouraged to apply. All decisions are final.

SHRM25 Registration Grant Distribution 

If selected to receive a SHRM Foundation Annual Conference and Expo grant, a member of the SHRM Foundation team will work with the recipients on Annual Conference registration only. 

SHRM25 Registration & Hotel Grant Distribution 

If selected to receive a SHRM Foundation Annual Conference and Expo grant, a member of the SHRM Foundation team will work with the recipients on Annual Conference registration and hotel bookings. Recipients are responsible for scheduling travel plans and submitting all itemized travel-related invoices/receipts not to exceed $750. (i.e., flight, meals, gas, tolls, taxi/Uber, etc.).

Please note, the SHRM Foundation does not reimburse for any fees or expenses incurred by applicants prior to being awarded the professional development grant. SHRM/SHRM Foundation employees or board members and the immediate family are not eligible to apply for SHRM Foundation Scholarships, Grants, or Awards.