Community Development Workshop – Honolulu, Hawai’i

Extension professionals and applied researchers from Land-Grant Institutions and Sea Grant College programs in Alaska, Hawai’i, and U.S. Pacific territories

This workshop will help you build expertise in designing and implementing effective, place-based strategies that address local economic and social priorities. 

Scholarships available!
WRDC will provide funding for two participants from each Land-Grant Institution in Alaska, Hawai’i, and the U.S. Pacific territories, along with one participant each for the Alaska and Hawai’i Sea Grant programs. Each selected participant will receive up to $2,000 for travel to conference site, workshop location lodging, and meal reimbursement outside of workshop programming to their institution following the event. Workshop registration costs will also be waived.

Individuals from the institutions below will have the opportunity to provide additional information during the registration process to be considered for scholarships.

• Alaska Sea Grant
• American Samoa Community College
• College of Micronesia (COM, CMI, PCC)
• Hawai’i Sea Grant
• Ilisagvik College
• Northern Marianas College
• University of Alaska Fairbanks
• University of Guam
• University of Hawai’i

Funding priority will be given to faculty and staff seeking to strengthen their skills in community development initiatives or to expand their capacity in grant writing and program design.

Reimbursement information:

• All travel, lodging, and per diem expenses supported by the WRDC scholarship are initially the responsibility of the scholarship recipient. Participants should facilitate this travel through their institution’s policies and procedures. After the participant attends the full event, their institution may submit an invoice to WRDC for reimbursement of approved expenses, up to the awarded scholarship amount. Expenses over the amount of the scholarship are the responsibility of the institution/individual.
• If a scholarship recipient does not attend, WRDC will not reimburse any costs already incurred. Any prepaid or non‑refundable items incurred due to cancellation will be the responsibility of the scholarship recipient or institution.

Register by February 23, 2026, for first consideration. Applicants in this group will be notified by February 27, 2026.

Registration Cancellation Policy: Scholarship recipients who cancel after March 27 will be charged the full registration fee of $550. Credit card information is collected at registration.

Registration deadline: March 20, 2026

Individuals intersted in Community Development

Limited space is also available for faculty from Land-Grant Institutions outside the Pacific Islands and Alaska, as well as for elected officials and staff, community and economic development agencies and organizations, non-profits, legislators, chambers of commerce, Indigenous-led organizations, planners, community volunteers, and private-sector representatives who are interested in foundational community development training.

Registration fee: $550.00

Please note that all expenses associated with attending the workshop are the responsibility of the participant, including travel, registration fees, hotel accommodations, and some meals. 

Cancellation and refund policy: Refund requests received on or before March 27, 2026, via email will be processed with a $50 fee deducted. No refunds will be made after March 27, 2026.

Registration deadline: March 20, 2026