Greater Madison Area SHRM (GMA SHRM), in partnership with the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW–Madison, is pleased to offer two (2) $500 Certification Scholarships to GMA SHRM members pursuing their SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification.
These scholarships are intended to offset the cost of the SBDC SHRM Certification Preparation Course. The application process is simple and straightforward—don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your professional growth and certification journey.
Information about the SBDC SHRM Certification Preparation Course can be found here.Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
Current GMA SHRM member
Planning to enroll in the Spring 2026 Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) SHRM Certification Preparation Course
Employer is not covering the cost of the course
Application Requirements To be considered, applicants must submit one (1) PDF file that includes:
A one-page written statement addressing the following questions:
Why are you pursuing SHRM certification?
What future impact do you hope to make in the HR field?
How will this scholarship help you achieve your professional goals?
A short summary of GMA SHRM involvement, including:
Events attended
Volunteer roles
Committee or chapter engagement (if applicable)
Current resume, including (if applicable):
Community involvement
Honors or awards
Certificates
Leadership roles
Scholarship Selection Criteria Scholarships will be awarded based on:
Clear explanation of the applicant’s motivation for pursuing SHRM certification
Demonstrated connection between certification and the applicant’s career goals
Thoughtful articulation of how the applicant plans to leverage SHRM knowledge in their HR practice
Notification of Award: All applicants will be notified by January 19th 2026
Scholarship funds will be applied as a discounted registration through the SBDC for the applicable certification preparation course.
Terms & Acknowledgement By submitting an application, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
The GMA SHRM Certification Committee, in collaboration with the GMA SHRM President’s Team, has sole responsibility for selecting scholarship recipients based on the criteria outlined above. All decisions are final. This application becomes the property of GMA SHRM. Applicants are encouraged to retain a copy for their records. By electronically submitting this application, you certify that you meet all eligibility requirements and that the information provided is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. If requested, you agree to provide verification of submitted information. Falsification may result in termination of any scholarship awarded.
Selected recipients may be recognized on:
GMA SHRM and SBDC website
GMA SHRM and SBDC social media channels
Questions Pleases contact Shanae Doerr, GMA SHRM Board Directors – Director of Certification shanae.doerr@gmail.com
