GOLD FLAME SCHOLARSHIP - DEADLINE APRIL 15TH 2026

NENA & APCO Gold Flame Scholarship Application

Investing in the Voices Behind the Call
Every 9-1-1 professional deserves access to learning, connection, and growth—regardless of budget size or agency resources.
 

The Virtual Academy NENA & APCO Scholarship Program was created to remove barriers and open doors for dedicated telecommunicators who are making a difference every day.

This scholarship supports first-time attendees to either the NENA Conference or APCO International Conference, covering conference registration and up to $2,500 in travel expenses.

​

Who Should Apply
This opportunity is for 9-1-1 professionals who:

• Are first-time attendees of a NENA or APCO national conference
• Are active users of Virtual Academy
• Demonstrate dedication to professional growth despite limited funding
• Positively impact their center, peers, and community
• Are committed to bringing knowledge back to strengthen their agency

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could attend, but it’s just not in the budget,”—this scholarship was built with you in mind.

What the Scholarship Covers:

Selected recipients will receive:

• Conference registration for NENA or APCO
• Up to $2,500 in travel expenses, which may include airfare, hotel, meals, and ground transportation
• Recognition as a Virtual Academy Scholarship Recipient

This is more than attendance—it’s an investment in your voice, your growth, and your center.

​

​Application Deadline is April 15, 2026

• All-expenses-paid trip to the Mayan Ranch in Bandera, TX, to attend the 911 Leadership Training Event (transportation included) 
• Guiding Light Award pictured above, with name of the recipient 
• Podcast interview with Within the Trenches and #iam911 founder, Ricardo Martinez 
• $1,000.00 honorarium 
• Commemorative certificate closes on April 15th, 2026.   (says 2025 on their website but it is open until this date.) 

 KPATC Foundation is excited to sponsor four 911 professionals to attend the "Be The Difference Conference" in Knoxville, TN from January 25-28, 2026 hosted by the Denise Amber Lee Foundation.  For more information about the conference, go to deniseamberlee.org.
Each scholarship will include full conference registration, hotel room, and a limited amount of spending money for food (it will not include transportation costs).  Please apply if you are not already registered for the  Be the Difference Conference 2026.

For scholarship consideration send the following information to: info@kyleplushanswerthecall.org

The scholarship recipient will receive the following:

• Complimentary registration to NENA's 9-1-1 Goes to Washington conference;
• Four nights hotel accommodations; and
• A travel stipend of up to $2,000 to help cover transportation costs to and from the event (provided as a post-event reimbursement against actual, incurred expenses).
  

 Scholarships are provided for the following programs: Applicants must be able to meet program requirements and/or prerequisites determined by each program listed; see links below for full details.  

• The 911 Leadership Training Event, by Dr. Joe Serio, at the Mayan Ranch in Bandera, Texas * 
• ENP Certification exam, by NENA: The 9-1-1 Association +
• NENA’s Center Manager Certification Program (CMCP) *+
• Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) Certification by APCO +
• 2026 911der Women Virtual Workshops - Scholarship includes access to all four virtual sessions focused on leadership, wellness, and growth. Recipients can attend each session live and will also receive on-demand access to all four workshops to watch at their convenience.
• One Registration for a Two-day 911der Women Academy (location and date TBD) - immersive training experience designed to strengthen professional skills and connection. *
• Mental Health Training - Survive & Thrive! Core Stress Resilience Training! from the 911 Training Institute

* Travel expenses up to $1,500 are included for this scholarship.

+ 1-year membership to the organization is included with this scholarship if not already a member.

 General Scholarships can be used for any APCO training. To be eligible, you must be an APCO Full, Associate, or Online member. The application period opens on January 15th, 2025, and closes on April 1st, 2026. 

 The CPE Scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. Visit the website to learn more and determine if you qualify. The application period opens on January 15th, 2026, and closes on February 15th, 2026. 

 The RPL Scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. Visit the website to learn more and confirm your qualifications. Be sure your resume is up to date before applying. The application period opens on January 15th, 2026, and closes on March 1st, 2026. 

Gold Line Scholarship is available to any telecommunicator, call taker, or dispatcher with at least one year of experience and in good standing with their current employer.  Closes typically end of March every year.

An ENP scholarship opportunity is now available to current NENA members who meet the eligibility requirements for ENP Certification and plan to sit for the exam in 2026. At least ten scholarships will be awarded, with preference for those in rural counties with a population of less than 50,000.

Each scholarship recipient will receive complimentary registration to take the ENP exam during the Winter 2026, Spring 2026, Summer 2026, or Fall 2026 examination period.

Candidates must complete and submit the online scholarship application by Monday, November 17. Scholarship winners will be notified by Friday, December 7.