The National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF) is pleased to offer several grants totaling $20,000 to new professionals. The New Professional Reporter Grant awards funds to new professionals in their first year of work, and the Michelle Grimes Memorial Grant and the Monyeen Black Memorial Grant are open to new professionals who hold the RSR or the RPR certification and are in their first two years of reporting or captioning. The first deadline is June 7.
Thanks to continued generous donations and support, the Foundation was able to double the number of grants and funds awarded this year.
“We at NCRF want our newest professionals to have successful starts to their careers,” said Doug Friend, FAPR, RDR, CRR (Ret.), NCRF Chair. “What better way to provide affirmation than with awards that provide our confidence and financial support to each grant winner?”
NCRF New Professional Reporter Grant
The NCRF New Professional Reporter Grant is available for working court reporters or captioners in their first year out of school. The grant helps support start-up expenses such as purchasing software and earning credentials. This year two first-place winners will be awarded $4,000 each and two second-place winners will be awarded $2,000 each. Full criteria, an application, and a list of past recipients can be found on the grant page. The deadline to apply is June 7.
Michelle Grimes Memorial Grant
The Michelle Grimes Memorial Grant is open to new professionals who hold the RSR or the RPR certification, are in their first two years of reporting or captioning, provide a letter of recommendation, and answer a short essay question. Two grants of $2,000 each will be awarded. Applications for the grant will be accepted until June 17. See full grant requirements and an application here.
Michelle Grimes was a stenographer from Illinois who participated in the 100-day practice group hosted by Rich Germosen, FAPR, RDR, CRR, on Facebook. “This grant is our way to remember Michelle and her dedication by rededicating ourselves,” said Germosen. The grant was also created in honor of Germosen receiving his FAPR distinction in 2022 through a fundraiser hosted by Allie Hall, RDR, CRR, and many other of his colleagues. A fundraiser was set up in Grimes’ memory.
Monyeen Black Memorial Grant
NCRF is also offering the Monyeen Black Memorial Grant. The grant honors the memory of Monyeen Black, who passed away in January 2021. Monyeen was also an active member of Germosen’s Facebook practice group. A successful fundraiser was set up in her memory.
Thanks to generous member donations to NCRF, these grants have also been doubled to two grants of $2,000 each. These grants are open to new professionals who hold the RSR or the RPR certification, are in their first two years of reporting or captioning, provide a letter of recommendation, and answer a short essay question. Applications for the grant will be accepted until June 17. See full grant requirements and an application here.
For additional information about these and other scholarships grants, contact Jill Parker Landsman at jlandsman@ncra.org.
