Sea of Tomorrow Scholarship Society

Scholarships and Training Grants

Scholarships and training grants help youth through young adults pursue education, research, conservation, scuba training, and related underwater fields.

Applications are currently closed

2027 applications will open in the fall

The 2026 opportunities remain available as a guide to the program.

2026 program

Financial Assistance for Education and Training

In its effort to promote environmental conservation and protect marine wildlife, Beneath The Sea established the Sea of Tomorrow Society Scholarship Program. The Board of Trustees and supporters annually offer scholarships and training grants that encourage youth through young adults to expand their knowledge and skills in marine conservation, marine biology, scuba diving, and related disciplines.

Some opportunities support a specific area of study or training; others allow applicants to identify the pursuit they wish to explore. Scholarships and training grants are available only to residents of the United States and its territories.

Applicants should review the criteria and age range for each opportunity. Questions may be directed to [email protected].

2026 SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are intended to support candidates in advancing their education, training and/or research in approved fields. Funds are paid upon presentation of an invoice from an educational institution or service provider for an approved expenditure.

Scholarships must be used for expenses directly related to education, training or research in marine and environmental sciences and conservation, scuba diving and related fields. Scholarships may be used for tuition or fees for educational programs, research seminars and internship programs, and for expenses such as transportation, lodging and essential supplies and equipment required for participation. Each candidate must clearly state how they plan to use scholarship funds in their application.

Armand "Zig" Zigahn Memorial Scholarship - Value $1,000 (Age 25+) This Memorial scholarship seeks an adult whose experience, love of the ocean, skills and leadership abilities demonstrate strong commitment to educating the world about our precious oceans and creatures.

JoAnn Zigahn's Sea of Tomorrow Scholarship - Value $1,000 (Ages 19-23) To be awarded to an individual for participation in a recognized or accredited program in the fields of marine environmental conservation, biology, ecology, research or for training in a diving related program necessary for participation in these fields of endeavor.

Rick D'Amico Discovery Scholarship - Value $1,000 (Ages 13-15) This memorial scholarship endowed through the Rick D'Amico Trust is to support an individual searching for a life focus in exploring marine careers. This scholarship may be applied to any recognized educational or training program in the fields of marine study, scuba diving or related areas.

Ann Marie Mazzucco Scholarship - Value $1,000 (Ages 15-18) This scholarship is for an individual who demonstrates a love of the ocean and the environment and may be applied to recognized educational or training programs in the fields of marine and environmental science or conservation, scuba diving or related fields.

2026 TRAINING GRANTS

Training Grants provide funding for diving and related underwater training. Some grant sponsors require that the recipient take the training at a specified facility. Other grants allow the recipient to take the training at a recognized/authorized facility in the United States. Funds will be paid to the selected facility upon receipt of an invoice from that facility.

Advanced Scuba Diving Certification Training Grant - Value $1,000 (Sponsored by PADI and Oceanic Worldwide) (Ages 22-29) Beneath the Sea, PADI, and Oceanic Worldwide are providing funds and equipment for a scholar seeking to take their scuba training to an advanced or professional level such as Divemaster, First Responder or Instructor. This scholarship is $1,000 dollars divided as $750 for an approved PADI course/certification to the training facility of choice, the remainder in the form of a Buoyancy Compensation Device from Oceanic Worldwide. This is a generous scholastic opportunity for the right student with some diving experience.

Scuba Connection New Diver Training Grant (Sponsored by Scuba Connection, Garfield, N.J.) (Ages 15-21) Grants will be offered to support two individuals who have the interest and passion to become divers in obtaining their open water scuba certification. The course includes: 1) NAUI open water scuba diver certification; 2) NAUI Nitrox certification; 3) New personal gear gift package: mask, snorkel, booties and fins; 4) Use of all required scuba equipment needed to complete certifications. Candidates must be able to participate in pool training conducted by Scuba Connection at their location in Garfield, New Jersey.

Please see additional prerequisites and details for the Scuba Connection New Diver Training Grant here.

Scuba Connection Dive Master Training Grant (Sponsored by Scuba Connection, Garfield, N.J.) (Ages 18-26) Scuba Connection shall provide two qualified individuals who have the passion and drive to become dive leaders with the opportunity to become a NAUI instructor. Candidates must be between the ages of 18-26 and be a certified Advance Open Water Diver with a minimum of 25 verified dives. Certification can be from any diving agency recognized by the RTSC (Recreational Training Scuba Council). Candidates must be able to participate in training and leadership development activities in Garfield, New Jersey and the nearby region.

Please see additional prerequisites and details for the Scuba Connection Leadership Dive Master Grant here.

PADI Open Water Diver Course (Sponsored by Blue Water Divers, Rochelle Park, NJ) (Ages 18-23) Learn to scuba dive with one of our PADI Open Water Courses. The PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases: Knowledge Development (online, home study or in a classroom) to understand basic principles of scuba diving, Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills, Open Water Dives to review your skills and explore!

The recipient must be able to take the Confined Water and Open Water dive training sessions with Blue Water Divers at and near their facility in Rochelle Park, NJ. Please note that this course does not include final certification dives, which may be completed with any recognized PADI Instructor and/or facility.

APPLICANTS FOR THE FOLLOWING TRAINING GRANT MUST FOLLOW THE APPLICATION-SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS FOUND IN THE TRAINING GRANT DESCRIPTION.

Jorge Beale Hyperbaric Medicine Training Grant (Sponsored by Life Support Technologies) Application Deadline is January 15th, 2026 midnight Eastern Standard Time. Life Support Technologies group (LST) has created a training grant in memory of Jorge Beale, MD. Dr. Beale was a true pioneer and educator in diving and hyperbaric medicine, and he was fundamental to LST’s vitality and work. The recipient of this training grant will be invited to a 40-hour Introduction to Hyperbaric Medicine course held in the NY/NJ/CT tristate area. The course is accredited by both the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits and the National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) for Continuing Education Units (CEU).

The Jorge Beale, MD, Training Grant is available to all health care professionals, including EMT, Paramedic, RT, RN, CNA, LPN, PA, NP, MD, DO, and DPM. The training grant application consists of writing a 500-word essay outlining why you should be chosen as the recipient of this scholarship, what this scholarship would mean to you, and what you would use this course towards. If you are interested in applying for this training grant please compose your essay, “Why I should be awarded the Jorge Beale, M.D. Hyperbaric Training Grant” and email it to [email protected]. Be sure to put “Training Grant Application” in the subject line.