Thompson Scholarship for Women in Safety Opening Soon
Offered by ASSP Foundation (American Society of Safety Professionals)
About This Scholarship
The ASSP Foundation — the charitable arm of the American Society of Safety Professionals — runs one of the largest scholarship programs in the occupational safety and health field, distributing $214,500 to 114 students in the 2025-26 program year. Among its named awards is the Thompson Scholarship for Women in Safety, which supports women pursuing degrees in environmental health and safety (EHS) and related programs.
The application is refreshingly efficient: students complete a single online application and are automatically considered for every ASSP Foundation scholarship they qualify for, including the women-specific awards. Requirements include transcripts, at least one letter of recommendation, and five short-answer essay questions of up to 500 words each. Applicants must be enrolled in an EHS-related degree program with at least three credit hours in progress; associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students all qualify, and ASSP membership is preferred but not required.
Applications for the current cycle are accepted from October 15, 2026 through February 15, 2027 — a generous four-month window for a field where demand for qualified safety professionals continues to outpace supply.
Eligibility
- Women pursuing an occupational/environmental health and safety-related degree (Thompson Scholarship; one application covers all ASSP Foundation awards you qualify for)
- Enrolled with a minimum of three credit hours in progress
- Associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students eligible
- ASSP membership preferred but not required
How To Apply
- Create an account on the ASSP Foundation's online application portal when the cycle opens October 15, 2026
- Complete the single application: transcripts, at least one letter of recommendation, and five short-answer essays (500 words max each)
- Submit by February 15, 2027 — you are automatically matched against all scholarships you are eligible for, including the Thompson Scholarship for Women in Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply separately for the women-specific scholarships?
No. One ASSP Foundation application automatically puts you in consideration for every scholarship you match, including the Thompson Scholarship for Women in Safety.
How much is the award?
Individual amounts vary by named scholarship and year; across the program the foundation awarded $214,500 to 114 students in 2025-26, an average of roughly $1,900 per recipient.
Do I have to be an ASSP member?
No. Membership is preferred but not required, though student membership is a good idea for anyone entering the safety profession.