Purpose: The American Fisheries Society (AFS) is currently soliciting applications for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Mentorship Award (ELMA) Program. This program was established in 2009 and provides support to those who have demonstrated a commitment to be an active Society member and to serve the Society as a Unit leader and possibly as a Society officer. The number of awardees may vary from year to year, but no more than four will be selected in any single year. The purpose of the ELMA Program is to develop future leaders of the Society, and the fisheries profession as a whole, by providing selected candidates an opportunity to participate as non-voting members of the Society Governing Board and undertake a service project of their choosing. Recipients will also be paired with a mentor from the Governing Board during their time in the ELMA Program. Recipients will have the opportunity to meet and work with previous ELMA recipients to facilitate further mentorship and networking opportunities within the Society. Candidates are selected for their potential to assume future leadership of the Society and its Units, based on their level of current and past involvement in AFS, recommendation by a Society member, and additional application materials described below. Eligible candidates must be Society members in good standing (i.e. dues must be paid prior to application). There are no limits related to career track within fisheries, and students are eligible to apply.

Due date: April 1, 2026 (11:59 pm EST)

Selection date: Applicants will be notified of their selection no later than May 15, 2026.

Commitment period: August 28/29, 2026 through 2027 AFS Annual Meeting

Expectations: ELMA recipients are expected to attend certain meetings and activities as part of the program and are encouraged to participate fully to maximize their experience. Recipients will be expected to attend (as frequently as possible) and participate in monthly AFS Management Committee meetings (virtually) throughout their tenure in the ELMA Program. Recipients will be expected to attend (in person) the Leading at All Levels of AFS continuing education workshop at the annual meeting in Columbus, the Governing Board meeting (8/29/26), and the breakfast for incoming Governing Board members (TBD). 

Applicants should be those who already plan to attend the AFS annual meeting, and applicants should inform their Division President about their intent to submit an application. Given the requirement to attend Governing Board events in advance of the annual meeting, AFS will provide a travel stipend of up to $500 to recipients to cover additional travel costs associated with attending the annual meeting. Additionally, funding matches from Divisions are available to recipients who inquire, so the sooner Division leadership is made aware of interest in the ELMA Program, the better. Division officers are also encouraged to contact other AFS Units (e.g. Chapters) in which the applicant is a member to seek matching funds that further support the applicant. Recipients will need to provide receipts for travel expenses incurred.

Application materials and checklist: 

• Nomination letter

An applicant’s candidacy must be endorsed by a nominating Society member in good standing (preferably with leadership experience at some level of AFS). Those interested in the ELMA Program should consider asking a Society member of their choice to nominate them. This letter should not exceed 1 page, single spaced, with 1” margins, 12 pt Times New Roman font. Contents in exceedance of this limit will not be scored. It is up to applicants to ensure their letter writers adhere to these instructions.

Nomination letters should address reasons for nomination which might address an applicant’s AFS and other service involvement, commitment to volunteerism, ideas for an ELMA project to be undertaken, or any other information deemed pertinent by the recommender. Letters should be uploaded to AFS awards portal with other application materials. Letters sent by means other than the portal will not be considered. Candidates are encouraged to reach out to potential nominators as soon as possible about their interest in the ELMA Program.

• Personal statement

Applicants must include a written personal statement, prepared by themselves, that explains why they would like to participate in the ELMA Program, why they believe they are a good fit, what they believe they can contribute, what they hope to come away with, and their ability to participate in program requirements (i.e. meeting attendance, project completion). The personal statement should not exceed 1 page, single spaced, with 1” margins, 12 pt Times New Roman font. Contents in exceedance of this limit will not be scored.

• CV/Resume: Applicants must include a comprehensive curriculum vitae or resume. Choice of format may depend on candidates career type and/or personal preference. Applicants are encouraged to emphasize service and leadership experiences as well as research or work experience. The CV/resume should not exceed 2 pages, single spaced, with 1” margins, 12 pt Times New Roman font. Contents in exceedance of this limit will not be scored.

Submission: All materials must be submitted via the AFS awards portal (AFS Awards) by 11:59 pm EST on 1 April 2026. Late applications will not be accepted and incomplete applications will not be scored. For questions, please contact Drew Holloway at dholloway@msdeng.com. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out with questions sooner than later.

Past Award Recipients

2014 Justin Davis, Patrick Cooney, Cari-Ann Hayer, and Steve Midway

2015 Alix Blake, Karen M. Dunmall, Gretchen J. A. Hansen, and Jeffrey Jolley

2016 Michael Moore, Dan Nelson, Patrick Shirey, and Sara Turner

2017 Dan Dauwalter, Hilary Meyer, Patrick O’Rouke, and Sara Turner

2018 Nathaniel Lederman, Abigail Lynch, Cheyenne Owen, and Daniel Weaver

2019 Aaron Bunch, Nick Kramer, Brooke Penaluna, and Heather Stewart

2020 Janessa Esquible-Hussion, Corbin Hilling, Michael Lawrence

2021 Brian Gallagher, Daniel Mosier, Christina Murphy, and Kaylyn Zipp

2022 Matthew Mensinger, Tyler Plum, Taylor Saucier, and Kiah Wright

2023 Kyler Hecke, Drew Holloway, Jo Johnson, Matt Wipf

2024 Zach Beard, Hadley Boehm, Manuel Coffill-Rivera, Sarah Vogel

2025 Luke Etchison, Seth Fopma, Kimberly Luke, Rylee Smith