How to Apply For Zale Parry Scholarship [Updated]

The Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences (AUAS) is pleased to announce the Zale Parry Scholarship Program open to candidates who are currently enrolled in a graduate school program (Masters or Ph.D.) in the diving fields of study (Marine Conservation and Education, Diving Medicine and Hyperbaric, Ocean Engineering, and Underwater Archeology).

Candidates eligible for the scholarship include college students seeking to advance their knowledge or enter a professional career in the fields of underwater research, equipment technology or hyperbaric research.

The purpose of the Zale Parry Scholarship is to offer financial support to individuals seeking to advance their knowledge or to enter professional diving and marine careers.

The Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences (AUAS) was established by Harry Shanks in 1993, it is an international, multi-disciplinary, non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing pioneers and leaders who have had a global impact on the exploration, enjoyment, safety, and preservation of the underwater world.

More About the Zale Parry Scholarship Program For 2023

The AUAS Organization will provide $6000 award per recipient and $500 voucher towards travel expenses to the Scholarship Presentation Ceremony.

Zale Parry is an American pioneer scuba diver, underwater photographer, and actress born in 1933. She is an internationally renowned pioneer of the early days of skin and scuba diving.

Parry grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and began diving in the 1940s as a young girl. Zale began diving in 1951 using one of the first imported Aqualungs.

While working in Santa Monica, California, for the Douglas Aircraft Company, Parry got involved in pioneering diving and scientific work Sports Illustrated magazine.

In 1953, Parry served as an underwater equipment tester and (the only woman) executive at Scientific Underwater Research Enterprises (SURE), founded by her husband, Parry Bivens, M.D., who designed and built hyperbaric chambers.

Parry also helped run the first hyperbaric chamber for civilian divers in California and in 1954, Parry set a woman’s deep diving record at 209 ft/64 meters in the open sea as part of an experiment to test the Hope-Page non-return valve mouthpiece. This feat was used as a point of reference and became a standard feature in all regulators.

Zale was the third female instructor to graduate from the L.A. County UICC program, after which she served as a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and currently lectures throughout the United States.

Zale is currently writing a four-volume book about the roots of diving in America, Scuba America: The Human History of the Sport of Diving, to record and preserve the annals of diving.

Zale is a NOGI (New Orleans Grand Isle) Fellow and the Ambassador at Large for the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences. Parry’s experience goes beyond diving and acting, she doubles as an accomplished photographer and writer.

Zale has used her organizational skills to bring the beauty of underwater photography to the public. In 1957, Parry co-founded the International Underwater Film Festival which ran for 17 years consecutively.

In 1960, Zale became the first elected female president of the U/W Photographic Society. She wrote and published a book with the late Albert Tillman titled; Scuba America Vol. I, the Human History of Sports Diving in America.

In 1999, Parry received WSA’s Woman Diver of the Year Award, the NOGI Award for Distinguished Service, DEMAs Reaching Out Award, the Women’s Scuba Association Scuba Diver of the Year Award, and the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Education Award.

In 2000, Zale was inducted into the Cayman island international Scuba Diving Hall of Fame and received the Beneath the Sea Diver of the Year Award. In 2001, Parry was made a “Lifetime Ambassador at Large”, by The Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences.

Level/Field of Study

The scholarship is open for undergraduate and graduate programs in approved fields of study

Host Nationality

The scholarship is hosted in the United States of America.

Eligible Nationality

The Zale Parry Scholarship Program is open to residents of the United States or Canada.

Scholarship Worth

$6000 award will be awarded to each recipient and a $500 voucher will be offered towards travel expenses to the Scholarship Presentation Ceremony.

NUMBER OF AWARDS: Varies

Eligibility Zale Parry Scholarship Program for 2022

Interested applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for this scholarship:

A resident of the United States or Canada
A certified scuba diver
Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate school program (Masters or PhD) in any of the following diving related fields of study; Aquatic Biology, Ecology, and other Marine Science-Related Fields: Marine Conservation and Education, Diving Medicine and Hyperbarics, Ocean Engineering, and Underwater Archeology (Graduates do not qualify).
Must demonstrate financial need, although the selection is based on merit.

Scholarship recipients must sign a scholarship agreement and waiver form, that holds the Scholarship Committee and AUAS blameless for any accident or fatality that may occur while the recipient Scholar is participating in any diving or non-diving activity related to The Zale Parry Scholarship.

How to Apply For Zale Parry Scholarship:

To apply, interested applicant should download the application through this link: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9cdeab_e678c75ef2574f91bcdaf1821fe172ca.pdf

Supporting Documents:

The following information must be submitted with the application form;

Scholarship candidate’s name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, place of birth, gender, and marital status.
Resume or curriculum vitae
Two (2) letters of recommendation from experts such as (but not limited to) college professors who can vouch for the validity of the candidate’s credentials and academic achievements
500-word essay from the applicant discussing career goals
Photocopy of Diving Certification card(s)

The complete application packet must postmark through the mail to:

Zale Parry Scholarship

c/o The Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences

27 West Anapamu Street #317

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Application Deadline

The complete applications for the Zale Parry Scholarship Program 2022 must be received no later than August 31, 2024.

-The Recipient of this Scholarship will be selected by Sept. 30, 2022, and notified within a few days of selection.

-In order to apply, the scholarship recipient must ensure that he/she can personally accept the award at the NOGI Gala held each year either in Las Vegas, Nevada or Orlando, Florida.