Outdoor Writers Association of America

Application Due Date: March 30, 2025

Apply

The Outdoor Writers Association of America® (OWAA) annually sponsors the Bodie McDowell Scholarship program to support tomorrow’s communicators. 

Named in honor of a former OWAA president, the scholarships reward outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who are involved in and preparing to devote a substantial amount of their life’s work in outdoor writing, radio and television, wildlife photography, art, lecturing or video and film making. 

Ideal candidates are talented communicators with outdoor interests who can demonstrate a record of accomplishment in and commitment to the fields of outdoor communications. 

This is a competitive awards process. Each candidate should have clear, significant goals in outdoor communications, examples of work and letters of recommendation. Judges look for applicants with talent, promise and firsthand outdoor knowledge. Applications are rated on clarity, organization and originality. Grade-point average is also considered but is not among the top three selection criteria.

Many past scholarship winners have become well-known professionals, including the first recipient who later became president of OWAA.

Scholarship distribution varies, but individual awards can range from $1,000 to $5,000. Awardees also receive a complimentary one-year student membership in OWAA.

For more information, visit: https://owaa.org/scholarships-fellowships/.

Department Information

Students

Research Focus Areas

Our Gardens

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).