Shimano will award more than $20,000 to both graduating high school seniors and undergraduate and graduate-level college students through its Varsity Program. The scholarships are intended to provide needed financial assistance to future leaders in conservation, fisheries and wildlife sciences and management.
The program is now in its third year.
"The goal with our scholarships is to encourage and support young anglers to pursue a college degree in fishery management, scientific research and related natural resource professions”, said Phil Morlock, VP of government affairs/advocacy for Shimano North American Fishing, Inc. “At Shimano, we understand the important role anglers have played as conservation leaders for well over a century. As B.A.S.S. members, we know these students have a first-hand appreciation for environmentally sustainable use and science-based management of natural resources. Where fishing happens, conservation happens.”
The Shimano/B.A.S.S. scholarship partnership is also intended to increase angler awareness of the critical decline in resource management professionals who fish within state, regional, provincial and federal agencies. The future of fishing will continue to rely on the combination of education, training and practical experience, which this partnership encourages.
Shimano’s Varsity Program also helps young anglers learn about fishing tackle and techniques, provides industry networking opportunities at Shimano career seminar events and stresses the role anglers have in fishing conservation and advocacy.
For their studies beginning in fall 2019, Shimano will award up to 11 $2,000 scholarships to U.S. and Canadian high school seniors, college undergraduate and graduate students who are members of B.A.S.S. and majoring in biology, fisheries, wildlife or a natural resource-related field. Applications (submission deadline is May 31) are available on the Shimano website at Shimano Varsity Program Scholarships.
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Successful applicants will be notified by July 1. The award is made directly to the student winner and can be used as needed for tuition, textbooks or living expenses.
