Scholarships

CPNRD-Ron Bishop Memorial College Scholarship Program

Over $143,000 Awarded to Invest in Future Conservation Leaders
Established in 2007, the CPNRD–Ron Bishop Memorial College Scholarship supports students pursuing natural resource–related degrees in honor of Ron Bishop, CPNRD’s general manager from 1972–2013.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

CONGRATULATIONS! Cooper Garrett of Grand Island (UNL), Gage Fryda of Kearney (UNL), and Braeden Anderson of Gothenburg (UNL) were awarded scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year.

College students pursuing careers in natural resources are encouraged to apply for the CPNRD-Ron Bishop Memorial College Scholarship, now open for the 2026-2027 academic year. The Central Platte NRD will award up to five $1,000 scholarships to eligible students enrolled in accredited natural resources programs. Applicants must be college sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students majoring in a qualifying natural resources-related field. Students must either reside within the CPNRD boundaries—from Gothenburg to Columbus along the Platte River—or have a parent who does. Previous applicants and past recipients are welcome to reapply.

Applications must be postmarked by June 30, 2026.
Questions? Contact Marcia Lee at (308) 395-7551 or lee@cpnrd.org.

Eligible Majors Include:

• Agriculture: Agronomist, Engineer, Business Representative, Applied Science/Diversified Science
• Biology
• Civil, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering
• Conservation or Natural Resources Management
• Environmental/Natural Resources Education
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Geology or Geological Engineering
• Grazing Livestock Systems
• Hydrology or Hydrogeology
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Soil Engineering or Soil Conservation
• Rangeland Management
• Vocational/Agriculture Education
• Water Resources Specialization
• Other careers related to natural resources

Jami Harper Scholarship

The Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival and Jami Harper offer an annual $250 scholarship for students entering a water resources field. As a high school student, Jami Harper presented at the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival. She created a class called H20Wood Squares based on the popular game show Hollywood Squares ~ her version taught students about water issues.

Due to her success in creating this class and trying to educate students about the importance of our groundwater, she placed 3rd in the Volvo for Life award, receiving $25,000 to give to any educational event she preferred. She selected to give the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival $10,000 for a scholarship and grant program.

The scholarship program is set up to allow any Nebraska high school student who is pursuing a career in water to apply for a one-time $250.00 scholarship. The funds are held at the Grand Island Area Community Foundation. Ms. Harper’s goal is for high school students to be aware that anyone can make a difference in the world.

Scholarship Application: https://gicf.eformsolutions.com/gicf/applications