2025 Dave Obey Young Adult Civic Engagement Award Applications Now Open

Scholarship Recognizes Young Leaders Committed to Integrity, Service, and Civic Engagement

Are you a college student who demonstrates leadership, initiative, and a commitment to serving others? Apply for the Dave Obey Young Adult Civic Engagement Award.

This $2,000 non-renewable scholarship is open to college, technical college, and university students aged 18 to 25 who either reside in or attend school within one of the following Wisconsin counties: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, Washburn, or Wood.

The selection committee seeks applicants who not only exemplify integrity and leadership but also actively engage with their communities to foster positive change.

Established in honor of former Wisconsin Congressman David R. Obey, who represented central and northern Wisconsin from 1969 to 2011, this award continues his legacy of public service. Recipients must reside in or attend an educational institution within the district he served. (See below for eligible counties.)

To be considered, the applicant must:

  • Be a college, technical college or university student, aged 18 to 25, either residing in or attending an educational institution within one of the following Wisconsin counties: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, Washburn, Wood.
  • Must already have earned a high school diploma.
  • Be enrolled in an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree program during the 2024-2025 academic year, earning at least six credits each semester of the year.
  • Submit an essay of no more than 500 words explaining why they deserve this scholarship.
  • Submit a letter of recommendation from an adult (a non-family member).
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Transcripts should NOT be submitted with the application. The selected applicant will be asked to submit a school transcript which includes information on coursework during the 2024-2025 academic year.

*Employees, interns, board members or fellows of WIPPS and their family members are not eligible for this award.

The application deadline is March 31, 2025. Apply online by clicking here.

Visit wipps.org for more information or email us at info@wipps.org.