Aquarium Now Accepting Applications for African American Scholar Program

October 5, 2020

September 15, 2020, Long Beach, California—The Aquarium of the Pacific is now accepting applications for a new scholarship program that will award $50,000 each year to support African American students who demonstrate a commitment to studies related to careers in the aquarium field. Participants will pursue studies in the areas of ocean education, animal husbandry, water quality, building maintenance or facilities, microbiology, and business management.

Through this program, the Aquarium hopes to bring meaningful opportunities in the marine sciences to African American students and to bring diverse minds to the domain of solving the issues facing our planet.

The scholarship is available to residents of California with African American heritage of any age as long as they provide proof of acceptance or enrollment in an accredited university, community college, or trade school with field of study related to aquarium fields listed above.

Award recipients will be selected by a committee of Aquarium staff members and members of the community. Recipients will be notified by December 31, 2020.

Applicants must submit the application and required materials no later than midnight on November 1, 2020. Applications may be submitted online at pacific.to/africanamericanscholar or received via mail by the deadline at African American Scholar Program, Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802.

This scholarship is funded through donor support. Those interested in supporting this program can make a donation online or contact the Aquarium development department by calling Ryan Ashton at (562) 951-1701 or sending an email to rashton@lbaop.org.

The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature’s services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Home to more than 12,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include Shark Lagoon, the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, Lorikeet Forest, and the Molina Animal Care Center. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, including lectures by leading scientists, through its Online Academy. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other special benefits. NOTE: ONLY OUTDOOR AREAS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN. Convenient parking is available for $8 with Aquarium validation.