Scholarship opportunities are currently CLOSED

Cal-ICMA Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to a select few outstanding individuals from diverse communities and are aspiring to develop and grow in local government leadership. These scholarships provide an invaluable opportunity for recipients, who might otherwise face barriers, to participate in the ICMA Local Government Reimagined Conference and the enriching ICMA Annual Conference, fostering inclusivity and promoting a broad spectrum of perspectives within the field.

Scholarships to | Day with ICMA

Application Submissions CLOSED

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 11:59pm Pacific Time

The Cal-ICMA Scholarship & Events Committee is pleased to share that three complimentary conference registration scholarships will be offered for selected awardees to attend the newly established 2026 "Day with ICMA" Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. ICMA will bring local government professionals together for unparalleled leadership and professional development, networking, and best-in-class programming that you won’t want to miss!

Please note that you must be an ICMA member in order to receive a scholarship. You also have the option to sign up as a member before you accept a scholarship offer. 

Cal-ICMA will be awarding the following 3 scholarships for the "Day with ICMA" Conference in Phoenix, Arizona: 

  • 1 Full Regular Scholarship: Free Conference Registration + $650.00 Travel Stipend 

  • 1 Full Veteran Scholarship: Free Conference Registration + $650.00 Travel Stipend

  • 1 Partial Regular Scholarship: Free Conference Registration + $400.00 Travel Stipend 

*The travel stipend award will be provided on a reimbursable basis upon submittal of receipts for actual expenses paid. Receipts must be submitted to Cal-ICMA to receive reimbursement. The travel stipend does not cover conference registration fees. 

Inquiries can be directed to the Cal-ICMA Scholarship and Events Chair, Alexander Fung, at afung@eastvaleca.gov. 

Selected winners will be required to:

  • Commit to attend the entire conference. 

  • Provide a letter of verification from a direct report/supervisor of your attendance (In the event that you're unable to attend, please notify the Cal-ICMA Scholarship and Events Committee at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the event date).

  • Post 1 social media post during the event about their experience and tag/mention Cal-ICMA in their posts (@Cal_ICMA on LinkedIn / @Cal_ICMA on Twitter).

  • Author a brief blog post for the Cal-ICMA Newsletter regarding the conference experience.

Future Scholarships

ICMA Annual 2026 | Long Beach/Los Angeles County, California | October 17-21, 2026

Scholarship Awardee Testimonials and Articles

“Attending the 2023 ICMA Annual Conference in Austin, Texas offered me an extraordinary opportunity to meet local government leaders from across the country and around the world, and to witness the strength of solidarity and support throughout the profession.”

Claire Coleman, budget/financial services manager, City of El Cerrito, CA (2023 Awardee)

“It wasn't a particular session, speaker, or single moment that triggered this transformation. Instead, it was the cumulative effect of being surrounded by high-level professionals, engaging workshop sessions, motivational speakers, and the experience of stepping out of my comfort zone in an unfamiliar city.”

Traci Boyl, senior analyst, City Manager's Office, City of Ukiah, CA (2023 Awardee)

“I valued the candid conversations with peers about their strategies for achieving a better work-life balance. These honest and vulnerable insights empowered me to find an equilibrium between the joys found in both my professional and family life.”

Katrina Titus, senior management analyst, City of Ventura, CA (2023 Awardee)