PCOC CommUNITY Scholarships

New for 2026! The PCOC CommUNITY Scholarship Program is here!

The 'PCOC CommUNITY' is an FWEA initiative modeled after our national organization, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and their successful Communications Scholarship program. The goal of this scholarship is to connect Florida's communications, marketing, education and outreach professionals with the resources and networking opportunities to become contributors of change in the water industry through community. And what better venue than the Florida Water Resources Conference (FWRC) is there to build such a commUNITY?!

With support from the FWEA Public Communications and Outreach Committee (PCOC) and the FWEA Board, this new scholarship program will help connect communications professionals from across the state by funding up to three communications professionals to attend FWRC 2026 in Daytona Beach from Sunday, April 26 - Tuesday, April 28, 2026. To learn more about the conference, please visit www.fwrc.org/. All scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to have small and meaningful conversations with PCOC members as well as learn more about the water industry. Whether its attending technical sessions, watching the Operations Challenge competition, or touring the exhibit halls, there's plenty to do at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach!

Eligibility Requirements

Must work in a communications, marketing, education, outreach, or a related role in the water industry.
Eligibility is not limited to utilities; consultants, non-profits, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.
Must be a FWEA member (or join, at your own cost, if awarded a scholarship).
You must be based in Florida.
Must not have attended FWRC within the last three years. Preference will be given to first time attendees.
Your employer is in support of your application (if not self employed).

Participation Requirements for Scholarship Recipients

All scholarship recipients will be required to: 1) attend an online orientation prior to the conference in March or April, 2026, 2) all PCOC technical sessions at FWRC (two sessions on Tuesday), 3) a PCOC meeting or meet-up at FWRC (TBD), and 4) a minimum of two PCOC meetings during 2026 (currently scheduled for the third Friday of each month from 12-1PM via Teams).

Costs Covered by Scholarship

Full Conference Registration to attend FWRC (includes Monday and Tuesday luncheons).*
Hotel expenses for two nights (Sunday and Monday nights).
A $250 stipend to cover meals and travel expenses.**

*Registration does not include the YP workshop, facility tours, UC Breakfast, FSSSSS Breakfast, boxed lunches, and other add-ons. Please see FWRC.org for pricing and what the 'Full Registration' includes.

**Costs are reimbursed after the conference.

Ready to Apply?

The 2026 PCOC CommUNITY Scholarship application is open until February 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Click on the button below to apply:

Apply