Al Conklin and Bill de Decker Business Aviation Management Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by National Business Aviation Association
Desired Applicant
- Enrolled or accepted full-time undergraduates in an aviation management program at a two or four-year institution;
- going into their second year or beyond,
- and maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Scholarship Value
Maximum of $5,000 for educational expenses
Award Distribution Period
Given out during the autumn term
Requirement of U.S. Citizenship/Permanent Residency Status
Affirmative
Additional Prerequisites
An application package must be completed, comprising:
- a written essay,
- curriculum vitae,
- unofficial academic transcript, and
- a signed letter of recommendation.
All documents must be submitted to NBAA by August 11, 2025, for the scholarship consideration.
Recipients of the scholarship must utilize the funds by Dec. 31, 2026, or risk losing the award.
The Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship was founded in 2007 by Conklin & de Decker in collaboration with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) to aid undergraduates aiming for careers in business aviation management. In 2014, during the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the scholarship was renamed to acknowledge Bill de Decker and his commitment to business aviation.
The scholarship was originally established in memory of Al Conklin, a U.S. Air Force veteran and business aviation pioneer for over six decades. His early career as a business aircraft salesman shaped his later efforts in demonstrating the economic benefits of aviation to businesses. Currently, the scholarship also recognizes Bill de Decker’s significant contributions to business aviation, which earned him the John P. “Jack” Doswell Award from NBAA in 2014. Al Conklin and Bill de Decker collaborated to publish the Aircraft Cost Evaluator in the 1970s and later founded Conklin & de Decker, a company providing data on aircraft operating costs and performance.
Every year, NBAA Charities and Jet Support grant up to $5,000 to an undergraduate officially enrolled in an aviation management program at a two or four-year institution. The scholarships are given out for the academic year, and payments are made directly to the educational institution. Awards are given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents without regard to gender, race, religion, or ethnicity.
Refer to the application form for more details
NBAA scholarship candidates can receive one award per person every two years.
Go to Scholarship Application