The Cindy Wilson Animal Behavior Science Scholarship
The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) announces an annual scholarship that will provide financial support to an active student studying to obtain an animal science or an animal behavioral science degree. The ABMA will be awarding two (2) $1,000.00 scholarships for the student to use for their academic needs as they pursue their degree. We will begin accepting applications starting May 1st. Applicants will be required to submit judging information by May 31st. The winners will be notified by July 1st of the same year. Contact us with any questions.
Applicants must submit the following criteria:
1. Signed Submission Form. (This is a pdf. You will need to download the form and choose fill/sign to add text to the 3 required areas on the form.)
2. Curriculum Vitae and copy of your current transcript.
3. Student must be in good standing within their country’s grading system.
4. State your major.
5. Write or record a video of a 500-word essay that explains why this scholarship is important to you, what do you hope to gain by winning this scholarship and how you can best represent the ABMA core values.
6. Letter of reference.
7. Are you receiving funding from other sources? If you are, please list.
Are you ready apply?
Fill out the Cindy Wilson Animal Behavior Science Scholarship application!
The Animal Behavior Management Alliance will consider qualified individuals for scholarships and grants without regard to any legally protected status, including age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or special disabled or other covered veteran status in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
The ABMA Mission, Vision and Core Values
The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) is a not-for-profit corporation with a membership comprised of animal care professionals and other individuals interested in enhancing animal care through training and enrichment. The ABMA is intended to be nurturing and informative, and was created to serve trainers, handlers, and keepers of animals, irrespective of species, with information and assistance in the behavior management of their charges.
Our Mission
The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) cultivates a global community committed to enhancing the welfare of all animals by advancing intentional and enlightened behavior management.
Our Vision
To be the leading global resource for animal behavior management expertise.
Our Core Values
Always Welcoming
We commit to being an organization for everyone. We foster an inclusive and welcoming global community for all who share a common dedication to improving the lives of animals through behavior management.
Always Improving
We commit to perpetual growth and advancement. We recognize that sustaining and elevating our profession demands an unwavering commitment to continuous learning. We thrive on progress, constantly seeking creative ways to evolve, innovate, and share our learning broadly.
Always Science-based
We commit to utilizing evidence-based practices and the latest research to inform our recommendations. Science is the compass that guides our path, ensuring that our approaches, methodologies, and strategies are trustworthy and credible.
Always Ethical
We commit to operant conditioning with an emphasis on positive reinforcement as a foundational principle of behavior management and a crucial component of animal welfare. We hold these methods as ethical cornerstones, essential in fostering trust and understanding between humans and animals.
Congratulations to our 2025 scholarship winners!
Riley Stoppa is a student from Eckerd College studying to obtain a degree in Mathematics and Animal Studies. She wants to continue doing behavioral research. She will be presenting some of her research findings at the AZA Annual Conference this fall.
Molly Langevin is a student pursuing graduate studies at the University of Rhode Island in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Ecology. She is currently working at URI's Exotic Animal Behavior Lab, with a goal of becoming a behavior curator.
