Conference Scholarships
Efficiency Vermont is pleased to offer two different scholarship opportunities for the 2026 Better Building by Design (BBD) conference. The first is known as the Blair Hamilton Student Scholarship. The second is known as the Emerging Professional Scholarship.
Learn more about both scholarship opportunities below and apply today.
Blair Hamilton Student Scholarships
Efficiency Vermont is pleased to offer Blair Hamilton Student Scholarships to support and inspire students to learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy, which Blair dedicated his life to.
One-day student scholarships are available to college students, high school students, and adult learners in Vermont. Adult learners eligible for scholarship consideration are those that are actively enrolled in coursework to pursue a degree, license, or certification in the trades.
Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a waitlist for students who are not awarded scholarships, because more scholarships could be added if additional funds become available. We strongly encourage those from socially disadvantaged communities to apply. Efforts will be made to broaden the number of institutions with awarded applicants.
Apply now for the for the Blair Hamilton Student Scholarship. Submissions are due by April 6, 2026.
The Blair Hamilton Student Scholarships are generously sponsored by VEIC.
Remembering Blair Hamilton
Blair Hamilton passed away in the spring of 2011. As one of the founders and the director of Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), Blair was the driving force in creating Efficiency Vermont, the first "energy efficiency utility" in the country, and helped to start similar entities in other states and countries. He was an international innovator and leader in the field of energy efficiency research, policy, design and implementation, and a visionary and mentor to colleagues around the world.
In 2002, Blair was named a "Champion of Energy Efficiency" by the American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy, and in 2003, he accepted an innovation award from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government on behalf of VEIC. Over 25 years, Blair was responsible for the installation of at least 30 million efficient light-bulbs.
BBD Emerging Professional Scholarship
Efficiency Vermont’s Better Building by Design (BBD) conference is proud to offer a new, Emerging Professional Scholarship for 2026!
The Emerging Professional scholarships are offered to support and inspire emerging professionals in the design and build workspace, including professionals with less than two years apprenticing, trades people with less than two years on the job, someone who has recently changed careers and has entered the workspace within the past two years and young professionals with less than two years working experience in the field.
There are a limited number of scholarships, which are on a first come, first served basis while funds are available. While the conference is two full days, this scholarship is for a single-day attendance. Scholarships are offered to significantly reduce registration fees. Applicants awarded an Emerging Professional Scholarship will be able to attend the conference for $25 per your chosen day of attendance.
VEIC, which operates Efficiency Vermont, is committed to designing energy efficiency programs to serve all people living in Vermont and to reduce energy burden. Recognizing and removing obstacles to energy efficiency education is one step in the greater effort VEIC is undertaking to increase access to related programs and services.
Apply now for the Emerging Professional Scholarship. Submissions are due by April 6, 2026.
Emerging Professional Application (PDF)
The Emerging Professional Scholarships are generously sponsored by VEIC.