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Women In Defense opens Horizons scholarship applications for 2020-21

2/14/2020
Members of the Women In Defense Horizons' scholarship class of 2019-20

ARLINGTON, VA – Thousands of dollars in funding await the class of candidates for the 2020-21 Horizons scholarships, Women In Defense announces as the nonprofit organization supporting women in national security careers welcomes applicants for the awards.

Eligible women may now submit their bids for funding to help them pursue education on the path to a career in defense or national security. This year, Horizons applicants have the option of submitting their applications onlinevia the Scholarship App, as well as by mail.

“It’s exciting and a great honor for WID to continue to help promising students realize their professional goals,” Executive Director Rachel McCaffrey said. Contributing to the academic and professional success of Horizons’ recipients has been rewarding, she said. “NDIA and WID funding enables smart, talented women to excel, increasing cognitive diversity within our national security enterprise. In an era of peer competition, we need that diversity to maintain decisive advantage,” she said. WID is an affiliate of the National Defense Industrial Association.

Since its founding in 1990, more than 150 awards totaling nearly $630,000 have gone to Horizons applicants. The 2019-20 Horizons class included 12 women who were granted funds totaling more than $126,000.

Previous Horizons winners may apply for the scholarship. All those submitting for the scholarship must:

  • Be female students who will be enrolled at an accredited university or college, full or part time, for the fall semester
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Be an undergraduate or graduate student; undergraduates must have at least junior-level status (60 credits)
  • Demonstrate interest in pursuing a career related to national security or defense
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Have a minimum 3.25 grade point average

A downloadable copy of the application and other directions are online here. Application packages submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than March 15. Submissions by the Scholarship App must be time-stamped no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (2:59 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time) March 15.

A committee of WID members will review the applications and notify the recipients in June. All selectees will be announced at the annual WID National Conference on Sept. 10 and recognized at the annual WID Horizons Scholarship Celebration in August; both events will be in Washington.

Applicants with questions should visit WomenInDefense.net and click on “HORIZONS,” or contact WID Associate Director Ann Webster, awebster@ndia.org or (703) 247-2563.

Media with queries should contact Communications Director Evamarie Socha, esocha@ndia.org or (703) 247-2579.

About NDIA

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is America's leading defense industry association promoting national security. NDIA provides a legal and ethical forum for the exchange of information between industry and government on national security issues. NDIA and its members foster the development of the most innovative and superior equipment, training, and support for warfighters and first responders through its divisions, local chapters, affiliated associations, and events. For more information, visit NDIA.org

About WID

Women In Defense (WID), a National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Affiliate, engages, cultivates and advances women in all aspects of national security. Incorporated in 1985, Women In Defense provides members a business environment for professional growth through strategic networking, education, and career development. This national alliance is comprised of women and men from industry and defense organizations of every size; all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces; Government agencies, academia, think tanks, associations, and professional services.
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