Nicole Duffee Professional Development Scholarship Program

This scholarship program is designed to support the professional growth of individuals working in laboratory animal science, animal research, and related fields by helping offset the cost of continuing education opportunities.

Through this program, LAWTE seeks to strengthen professional knowledge and skills, foster career development, and promote excellence in animal care, welfare, and research.

It is especially fitting that this scholarship bears Nicole Duffee's name. As one of LAWTE's earliest leaders and the organization's first president, Nicole played a pivotal role in shaping LAWTE during its formative years. Her vision and dedication helped establish a strong foundation for the organization and its mission. Nicole developed LAWTE's first website, greatly enhancing members' ability to share training resources and educational materials. She also created LAWTE's first listserv, which at its peak connected approximately 800 individuals interested in training and professional development within the laboratory animal science community. Through these efforts, she fostered a culture of collaboration, education, and knowledge sharing that continues to define LAWTE today.

Each year, LAWTE will award three scholarships:

One conference scholarship (up to $2000) to support attendance at a training-related professional conference.
Two continuing education scholarships (up to $250) to assist with training-related continuing education opportunities, with one awarded at the beginning of the year and the second awarded midway through the year.

Through these scholarships, LAWTE hopes to encourage lifelong learning, support professional development, and advance excellence in animal care, welfare, and research.

Instructions

To be eligible for the continuing education scholarship (up to $250) for the first half of the 2027 fiscal year, applications must be complete and submitted by December 4, 2026.

To be eligible for the conference scholarship (up to $2000), applications must be complete and submitted by January 8, 2027.

Current LAWTE membership is required to receive a scholarship.

Members of the laboratory animal science community are encouraged to nominate or support qualified candidates. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the 2027 LAWTE Conference.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Have a minimum of one (1) year of active LAWTE membership.
Agree to provide a brief summary of the continuing education (CE) opportunity and what they learned if selected for a scholarship.

The presentation may be delivered in one of the following venues:

An Executive Committee meeting
The opening segment of a Trainers-Talking-Training (TTT) session or webinar
A LAWTE conference

Application Requirements

A complete application must address the award criteria and include the following:

1. Continuing Education Program Selection

Identify the continuing education (CE) program you wish to attend.

2. Personal Statement

Submit a personal statement describing your reason for applying and how the scholarship will support your professional development. Your statement should address the following:

LAWTE is committed to supporting education, training, and professional excellence in laboratory animal science while promoting high standards of animal welfare and research integrity. Explain how the proposed continuing education opportunity aligns with and supports this mission.
Describe how the continuing education opportunity will advance your professional development and career in animal research.
Explain how the knowledge or skills gained will enhance animal welfare, research quality, regulatory compliance, or training within your program or institution.
Describe how receiving the scholarship will directly affect your ability to participate in this educational opportunity.

3. Professional References

Provide two (2) professional recommendations from individuals working in the Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) field.

For each recommender, include:

Name
Email address
Phone number

4. Proof of Employment

Provide current proof of employment in the Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) field, including:

Professional email address
Professional phone number

5. Supervisor Approval

Provide written approval from your supervisor confirming support for your participation in the proposed continuing education opportunity.

6. LAWTE Sponsorship

Obtain sponsorship from a current LAWTE member.

Applicants who do not know a LAWTE member may request assistance from the committee in identifying a local LAWTE contact.

7. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Submit a current CV covering the past 5 to 10 years of professional experience.

Section 1: Applicant Information

Full Name

Professional Title

Organization/Employer

Professional Email

Professional Phone Number

Length of LAWTE Membership

Section 2: Continuing Education (CE) Selection

Please indicate the continuing education opportunity you wish to attend

Name of CE

Section 3: Personal Statement

Please describe why you are applying for this scholarship and how it will support your professional development.

Section 4: Professional References (Two Required)

First Reference Name:

First Reference Title/Organization:

First Reference Email:

First Reference Phone Number:

Second Reference Name:

Second Reference Title/Organization:

Second Reference Email:

Second Reference Phone Number:

Section 5: Employment Verification

Nominee's Employer

Nominee's Supervisor Name

Nominee's Supervisor Email

Nominee's Supervisor Phone Number

Section 6: Approval

LAWTE Sponsor Approval

I do not know a LAWTE member and would like the committee to provide contacts in my area.

I have a LAWTE sponsor (Sponsor information below)

LAWTE Sponsor Name

LAWTE Sponsor Email

LAWTE Sponsor Phone Number

Upload Supporting Documentation

Required: Curriculum Vitae (CV) covering the past 5–10 years and Proof of employment in the LAS field

Upload signed letter of recommendation, letter of support, & nominee's resume/CV