Scholarships - International Economic Development Council (original) (raw)

2025 Diane Lupke and ELED Excellence Scholarships

In partnership with Diane Lupke, CEcD FM HLM, IEDC has reimagined the scholarship fund. Beginning in 2025, we will now have two scholarships. One dedicated towards IEDC members' matriculating through the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), and another for the Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP).

To date, The Diane Lupke scholarship has provided over countless individuals since its inception in 2000. This year, we are celebrating the scholarship's 25th year anniversary.

Thanks to our generous donors and Diane Lupke's unwavering commitment to the field, we're rolling out our most comprehensive scholarships ever. One IEDC Member will receive the Diane Lupke Scholarship and one IEDC Member will receive the ELED Excellence scholarship. Both scholarships encompass all coursework registration fees and the initial exam application fees - valued at over 4,200fortheDianeLupkeand4,200 for the Diane Lupke and 4,200fortheDianeLupkeand2,980 for the ELED Excellence scholarship. Please read more about the scholarship opportunities here.

Please note: this opportunity is for IEDC members only. If you would like to join IEDC to submit an application for this scholarship, please reach out to [email protected].

An individual interested in applying for a scholarship associated with the Diane Lupke Scholarship fund must work for an organization that is located within a distressed community. Examples of distress may include, but would not be limited to: a natural disaster; loss of a major employer or service provider, such as a hospital; chronic unemployment; lack of essential services; or otherwise experiencing economic stress.

Applications are now closed. Winners will be announced and recognized at the 2025 Annual Conference in Detroit, MI.

Please click the button below to support the Diane Lupke and ELED Excellence Scholarships today!

Melissa Nebelsick Scholarship for Women

Melissa Nebelsick, CEcD (1950 – 2016) was a vibrant and caring member of the economic development community who mentored many women in the field and was a role model of professionalism. In honor of her life’s work, Melissa’s friends and colleagues established this scholarship to provide women with educational and training opportunities in the field she cared so deeply for.

****Each year, this scholarship is awarded by IEDC to a woman currently working in economic development based on need, interest in the field, and planned career path. The scholarship covers the registration fee of an IEDC training course or conference within the given calendar year.

IEDC will accept applications in October 2025.