Welcome to the 2026 Young Professional (YP) Utility Scholarship application!

WEF awards five scholarships to young professionals (YPs) working for a utility in North America. The purpose of this scholarship program is to help YPs learn about what being part of the WEF Utility Management Community (UMC) entails and to increase YP involvement within this community. The scholarship allows YPs to expand their network to include technical experts and water industry leaders, and develop peer and mentor relationships, while also providing valuable contributions to the UMC. The WEF scholarship selection committee includes members of the UMC Planning Committee and UMC Leadership.

The WEF YP Utility Scholarship provides:

• Travel expense assistance
• Hotel expense assistance
• Meal assistance
• Full registration for the 2026 YP Summit and UMC Conference events

Eligibility criteria:

• A member of WEF
• A YP: water professional with five or fewer years of work experience in the industry and/or under the age of 35
• Currently employed by any department in a utility in North America
• Have not previously attended the YP Summit or the Utility Management Conference.
• Ability and commitment to participate in and attend the 2026 YP Summit and UMC Conference in Charlotte, NC March 22 – 27, 2026.