The National Safety Council is introducing a new scholarship program for women pursuing safety as a career, with nominations opening on November 1. The Council also will accept nominations for its second year of the Student Member Congress & Expo Program. This program provides selected student members interested in safety the opportunity to attend the annual NSC Congress & Expo at no cost.

“Safety is more than a profession — it is a calling,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO. “We need to cultivate and encourage dedicated women professionals to pick up the mantel as 25 percent of safety specialists today consider retirement. This scholarship will create an opportunity for outstanding candidates to pursue their education and dedicate their careers to keeping each other safe.”

The Women in Safety Scholarship is for women studying safety in an accredited associate or undergraduate program. The scholarship is renewable annually for a maximum of four years, and the number of awards given will vary per year.

The NSC Student Member Congress & Expo Program is a one-time award given annually, and the number of winners also varies. Recipients’ receive complimentary travel, hotel, registration and other expenses to attend NSC Congress & Expo, which will be held in Houston in 2018.

The application period for both scholarships closes in mid-January, with winners to be announced in the spring of 2018. Later in 2018, the Council will accept applications for the Certification Assistance Program, a scholarship aimed toward enhancing the knowledge of existing safety professionals through continuing education opportunities.

For more information, visit www.nsc.org/scholarship.