From the Copilot’s Seat
AMA GRANTS AND
SCHOLARSHIPS
By Randy Cameron, AMA Executive Vice President | flyrc@modelaircraft.org
2023 Grants: The AMA grants and scholarships applications are currently available online and can be found at https://modelaircraft.secure-platform.com/a/. Highlight “Grants” or “Scholarships” and select the application you’d like to complete. Grant options include Flying Site Improvement Grants, Take off And Grow (TAG) Grants, Club Recognition and Reward Grants, and Disaster Relief Grants. For questions about grant programs, contact Rachelle Haughn at foundation@modelaircraft.org.
Flying Site Improvement Grant applications are now being accepted. If your grant application is turned in by January 6, 2023, there will be time for review by the AMA Foundation staff members who will offer suggestions and changes before the final deadline. The final deadline for applications is February 1, 2023.
TAG Grant applications are being taken now through February 1, 2023. This grant is provided to clubs that hold an event or events to introduce model aviation to members of their local communities. Each district is allotted $2,000 to award, with a maximum of $1,000 per grant. Each district vice president (VP) scores the applications and determines how to distribute the funds. Note: Any funds not used by a district are provided to other districts that have more applications than they can fund. Please help your district VP by submitting for funding and holding a TAG event next year.
The Club Recognition and Reward Grant is given to clubs for public relations and promotion of model aviation. The grant awards are from $50 to $175, depending on the type of media coverage (e.g., newspaper, radio, or television). These grants don’t have a deadline and are awarded throughout the year.
Disaster Relief Grants are available to clubs with flying sites that have been damaged because of a natural disaster. Grants are awarded up to $500 to help with field repairs. These grants are also awarded throughout the year.
AMA Scholarships are also available from the page link provided in the first paragraph of this column. The application for scholarships must also be completed no later than February 1, 2023. For information concerning scholarships, contact Kyle Thede at kylet@modelaircraft.org.
In 2022, more than $100,000 was awarded by these various programs and grants. We encourage clubs and students to submit applications for any of these programs.
Please realize that there are limited funds, and often there are more applications than we can fund. All Flying Site Improvement Grants and scholarships are scored by their perspective committees and ranked to determine who will receive them.
Have fun, fly safely, and if you can’t fly because of the weather, build something to fly in the spring!
