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About the Scholarship

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association is excited to provide the opportunity for ATRA Student and Professional members to receive the Martha Judge Scholarship for First Time Conference Attendees, which offers financial support for recreational therapy professionals to attend the ATRA Annual Conference. Named in honor of Ms. Martha Judge, a longtime ATRA member, past ATRA board member, and a proud attendee of EVERY ATRA conference, this scholarship provides financial resources for individuals who have never attended an ATRA conference. Through the prompting of Dr. Tim Passmore, this scholarship was officially named in honor of Martha at the 2022 Annual Conference in Birmingham, AL.

Basic Information

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) offers financial scholarships to students and professionals who may not otherwise be able to attend the ATRA Annual Conference. 

The Martha Judge Scholarship Includes:

• Complimentary professional member registration to the ATRA Annual Conference
• Up to $500 stipend to help offset additional conference-related expenses

The stipend is intended to assist with costs associated with attending the conference. It is not designed to fully cover all expenses.

Important Details:

• Application Deadline: May 1 at 11:59 PM, 2026 (local time)
• Recipients are responsible for their own airfare, transportation, lodging, meals, and other personal expenses. Applicants should book accommodations within the official conference room block for the best rates.
• The Martha Judge Scholarship is for first-time attendees and is considered a working scholarship. Recipients are expected to:
• Assist with select conference responsibilities
• Participate in networking events with ATRA staff, Board members, and fellow scholars
• Engage professionally throughout the conference
  

Scholarship Award Eligibility

• Be a member of ATRA at time of application and be current when the conference takes place.
• Be a first-time Face-to-Face ATRA Annual Conference attendee (this requirement is not applicable to persons who attended a past conference as a student member or if over 5 years of time has elapsed since the professional has attended a conference)
• Submit a completed application 
• Demonstration of the benefits of professional development in one's career or educational path and how you can contribute to ATRA. 
  

Application Process

To apply for the Martha Judge Scholarship, those interested must complete an online application, which includes the following four essay questions:

1. Please describe the circumstances that have prevented you from attending a previous ATRA Annual Conference.
2. Describe the professional and/or personal benefits you hope to gain from attending this year’s ATRA Annual Conference. Please provide specific examples of skills, knowledge, or connections you hope to gain.
3. Explain how attending the ATRA Annual Conference will support your educational or professional goals. Please provide concrete examples of how this experience will help you grow in your career or education.
4. As a scholarship recipient and ATRA member, describe how you plan to contribute to the association or the field of recreational therapy. Include specific examples of actions, involvement, or initiatives you could take.
   

Selection Process

Recipients are selected in a blind review of applicants by ATRA's Scholarship Committee. 

Scholarship Terms & Guidelines

• Scholarship recipients are expected to share their experience and what they have learned with others (approved submission to ATRA Newsletter, Social Media). 
• Scholarships are not renewable and a candidate may only receive this award once.
• Recipients are required to attend all conference functions, and should plan travel accordingly.
• If unable to accept the scholarship award and register for the conference within 2 weeks of notification, the scholarship recipient will forfeit his/her scholarship for that year, but may apply in subsequent years.
• All scholarships are subject to available funds.
• All award decisions from the ATRA Scholarship Committee are final.
• Alternates may be selected in the event that a scholarship recipient decides not to accept the award.
• Only completed applications will be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• ATRA reserves the right to eliminate from consideration incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.

Email questions to: INFO@ATRA-ONLINE.COM

Apply Here

Please complete the Martha Judge Scholarship application form by 11:59PM (local time) on May 1st, 2026.