Diversity Scholarship Program

The Diversity Scholarship Program provides support for attendance to PastForward, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual conference, being held in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 28-30, 2024. (Applications for PastForward 2024 were due May 31, 2024.)

To date, the program has provided over 2,800 scholarships to conference participants from historically underrepresented groups including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, and people with accessibility needs. Those who identify with one or more of these underrepresented groups are eligible for the scholarship. Passionate volunteers, students, and professionals are all encouraged to apply.

Have questions? Contact us at conference@savingplaces.org.

Mentors Needed!

Mentors are needed for the 2024 class of Diversity Scholars attending the annual PastForward conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Each year, the National Trust invites staff or board members of statewide or local organizations, SHPO staff, commission members, previous PastForward conference attendees, previous scholarship recipients, and other partners in the preservation field to serve as volunteer mentors.

Each scholarship recipient will be paired with a volunteer mentor who is established in the field of preservation and will provide guidance to 1-2 mentees during the PastForward conference. As a mentor, you will provide your scholars with practical guidance to maximize their experience and facilitate important networking opportunities during the conference. The relationship also provides mentors the opportunity to get a fresh perspective on preservation from their scholars.

Mentors must attend the PastForward conference in New Orleans October 28-30 and agree to attend the reception held for scholars and mentors that is scheduled for the evening of October 27th.

If you are planning to attend PastForward and are interested in serving as a mentor, email Mary Fernandez at conference@savingplaces.org.

PastForward 2024, October 28-30

Scholars receive complimentary registration (valued at $800) and a travel stipend (determined on case-by-case basis based on scholar’s location) to attend PastForward 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in bi-monthly, virtual convenings which will be held through September 2025. These convenings provide practical guidance to maximize opportunities with the National Trust and facilitate important networking opportunities with outstanding national leaders from a variety of professions within the wide-ranging movement.

New Voices Call for Change: Interviews with Conference Diversity Scholars

Join us in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 28-30, 2024. Registration is open!

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