Through Hands-on, real-world experiences, we connect you to the water power industry.

For Students

Industry Scholarships for Students

Apply for scholarships designed to support your path into water power careers.

The Hydropower Foundation proudly supports undergraduate and graduate students through scholarships and encourages them to pursue additional scholarships listed here.

Scholarship Application Deadlines:

  • Midwest Hydro Users Group Scholarship – February 28, 2026
  • Julie A. Keil Women in Hydro Scholarship – April 24, 2026
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Several students are learning from an instructor.

Current Scholarships

Midwest Hydro Users Group logo

Midwest Hydro Users Group Scholarship

The Midwest Hydro Users Group (MHUG) scholarship was created to encourage high school and early college students towards educational programs that support the hydropower industry.

This scholarship is open to students who are:

  1. A high school senior or older; accepted or enrolled at a Midwestern 2-year, or 4-year college, university, technical school, trade school, or apprenticeship program in an eligible state (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin);
  2. Interested in a career supporting the hydropower industry (an example list of target programs is provided in the application).
Apply for This Scholarship

About MHUG

MHUG’s mission is to promote safe, reliable, economical, and environmentally responsible hydropower in the Midwest by providing members with opportunities to learn, share information, and network with others in the industry.

We’re looking to help develop the next generation of talent to keep our Midwestern hydroelectric projects producing safe and reliable power.

For more information, including ways to get involved, please visit our MHUG website

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Julie A. Keil Women in Hydro Scholarship

The Julie A. Keil Women in Hydro Scholarship Fund provides:

  • An education scholarship program for women enrolled in an accredited college or university and majoring in a discipline relevant to entering the hydropower industry. The scholarship will be based on merit and financial need.
  • Grants for women planning to enter the hydropower industry to help cover expenses for attending industry events.
Apply for this Scholarship

About Julie A. Keil

Julie Keil promoted hydropower as a renewable energy technology and a responsible steward of the nation’s water resources. She helped bring disparate and often dissenting individuals together to work towards common goals through her leadership, courage, and strength. Her keen negotiating skills helped create outcomes that reflected fair dealing and the intricate relationship among engineering, the environment, and economics. In addition, she brought uncommon energy, persistence, and enthusiasm to all her efforts on behalf of the hydropower community.

To read more about Julie, her life, and many accomplishments, click here.

National Hydropower Association Scholarship

Past Chairs’ Legacy Scholarship

NHA created the Past Chairs’ Legacy Scholarship in 2008 to encourage students to consider entering the U.S. hydropower industry. Our growing industry has professionals in many different fields, including engineering, IT, biology, environmental sciences, forestry, hydrology, animal sciences, management, financial services, communications, and other areas. Many companies also offer high-paying skilled labor and technical positions.

The $2,500 scholarship goes to a promising young person who demonstrates the academic skills and commitment to help create the next generation of leaders in the hydropower industry.

Past Chairs’ Legacy Scholarship

Who: (1) current college sophomores or juniors who will be college juniors or seniors beginning fall 2023, or graduate students with a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) who are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate course of study at an accredited four-year college or university; or (2) Applicants must be students with an equivalent GPA at an accredited vocational technical school or program. All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or legal residents. Applicant must be pursuing a program of study that is related to the hydropower industry: Engineering, sciences (biology, fisheries, and hydrology), communications, or environmental studies.

Application: Click here to access the scholarship site

Applications will be accepted from January 2, 2024, to February 15, 2024.

Send applications to:

The National Hydropower Association
Scholarship Management Services
Saint Peter, MN 5608

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Mike Sale Memorial Scholarship

The Mike Sale Memorial Scholarship will promote graduate-level research in areas associated with and beneficial to the water power industry and its environmental management practices.

This new scholarship is being established and is currently accepting donations, with hopes of beginning to award scholarships in the near future. However, no applications are currently being accepted.

Mike Sale Memorial Scholarship

Mike Sale was a huge presence in the hydropower community. He served for over 25 years as a distinguished research staff member and manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory before retiring in 2008. Not one to rest, Mike became an independent consultant and invaluable member of numerous technical teams offering support on energy, water and environmental issues, including for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind and Water Power Technologies Program.

Mike was a charter member of the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s governing board and served as Executive Director from 2013 to 2016 during a critical period of the organization’s development. Mike led efforts to undertake the first major revision to LIHI’s certification criteria and handbook since its founding in 2000. Mike’s leadership strengthened LIHI’s ability to offer market-based opportunities for hydropower operators to lower their environmental, recreational, and cultural impacts. The revisions he oversaw expanded ways for key criteria to be satisfied, placed new emphasis on the scientific basis for agency recommendations and mitigation measures, and opened new opportunities for longer-term certificates.

Mike also served as a member of the Hydropower Foundation and its predecessor, the Hydro Research Foundation, since its inception in 1994. He was an invaluable member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, serving until his passing. He had a deep love for hydropower and its value to the electric system, and continually emphasized the importance of improving the resource through science-based investigation and problem-solving.

Connecting Classrooms to Careers

Linking students, educators, and hydropower professionals

The Hydropower Foundation connects students to the water power industry through hands-on, real-world experiences. We bring industry professionals into classrooms as guest speakers, organize tours of hydropower facilities, and support employer engagement at campus career fairs.

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Photo of 3 individuals in hard hats.

Industry Engagement Form

Complete the short form below, and we will reach out to you to learn more about you and how you’d like to be connected to our industry. When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details, such as your name and email address, unless you provide them yourself.

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Power Your Future Career Expo

Discover Career Pathways in Water Power and Connect with Industry Professionals

Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with professionals across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, environmental science, skilled trades, data science, operations, and more. Learn about real-world career pathways, gain insight into workforce trends, and build meaningful connections with seasoned professionals and organizations actively hiring in the energy sector.

Power Your Future Career Expos are held alongside industry events, including Clean Currents and the National Hydropower Association’s Regional Meetings.

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An exhibitor has a booth at the EXPO. Networking occurs on the show floor.
Construction worker carrying pipes
A hydropower professional carrying a set of silver pipes.

View Open Internships and Jobs

Find your place in the water power workforce. View current internships and job postings from employers across the water power industry.

View Open Internships and Jobs >

Water Power Clubs

Building the next generation of hydropower professionals—on campus and beyond

The Hydropower Foundation’s Water Power Clubs are student-led organizations that connect colleges and universities directly with the hydropower industry. We create pathways for students to explore careers, gain hands-on experience, and build meaningful connections with industry professionals.

Interested in starting a Water Power Club? Reach out to our team to learn how.

Start a Water Power Club
Connecting Students to Opportunity

Water Power Clubs provide students with direct access to the hydropower sector through career-focused programming and industry engagement. Members gain exposure to:

  • Industry speakers and technical presentations
  • Internship and co-op opportunities
  • Career training, mentorship, and networking
  • Scholarships and professional development resources
  • Access to travel funds for industry conferences and events

By introducing students to real-world applications of hydropower, the program helps bridge the gap between education and industry workforce needs.

Hands-On Industry Experience

Clubs offer experiential learning opportunities that bring hydropower to life by touring local facilities.

These experiences help students understand the full scope of careers across engineering, science, policy, communications, and more.

A National Network of Future Leaders

Through partnerships with universities, faculty advisors, and industry organizations, the Hydropower Foundation is expanding Water Power Clubs across the country. These clubs foster a community of students who are passionate about clean energy and prepared to contribute to the future of hydropower.

Find Your Path in Water Power

Discover diverse career pathways that match your interests and make an impact

Whether you’re passionate about energy, the environment, engineering, cybersecurity, business, or working with people, there’s a place for you in the water power industry. Explore a wide range of career pathways that offer meaningful work, real-world impact, and opportunities to grow—while helping power communities.

Download our Water Power Pathways Flyer

Explore the interactive Hydropower Career Map on the U.S. Department of Energy's site

Explore Now

  • Administration and Human Resources

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    Administration and Human Resources

    Professionals in administration and human resources keep hydropower organizations running smoothly by managing people, processes, and systems. They support everything from hiring and training to budgeting, compliance, and internal communications. By fostering effective teams and organizational efficiency, they help ensure that the industry can meet its energy, environmental, and community goals.

    Examples of job roles in this field include:

    • HR Managers
    • Recruitment Specialists
    • Training Coordinators
    • Administrative Assistants
    • Employee Relations Specialists
    • Payroll Coordinators
    • Office Managers

  • Business & Finance

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    Business & Finance

    The Business & Finance discipline in the hydropower industry focuses on managing the economic and strategic aspects of hydropower projects and operations. This includes budgeting, financial planning, contract management, risk assessment, and ensuring projects are economically viable and sustainable. Professionals in this field help secure funding, manage costs, and support the overall business growth of hydropower companies.

    Examples of job roles in this field include:

    • Financial Analysts
    • Budget Managers
    • Contract Specialists
    • Business Development Managers
    • Risk Analysts
    • Procurement Specialists
    • Accountants 

  • Construction & Skilled Trades

    Construction worker carrying pipes

    Construction & Skilled Trades

    The Construction & Skilled Trades discipline involves building, installing, and maintaining the physical infrastructure that makes hydropower possible. This includes constructing and maintaining dams, powerhouse facilities, penstocks, and electrical systems, as well as performing specialized tasks that require hands-on expertise. Skilled tradespeople work on-site to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and to exact standards, playing a critical role in the development and upkeep of hydropower plants. This field combines practical skills with technical knowledge to support the energy, environmental, and safety goals of hydropower operations.

    Examples of job roles in this field include:

    • Electricians
    • Welders
    • Pipefitters
    • Carpenters
    • Equipment Operators
    • Ironworkers
    • Concrete Finishers
    • Heavy Machinery Operators
    • Construction Managers
    • Safety Inspectors

  • Data Science, Automation, & Cybersecurity

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    Data Science, Automation, & Cybersecurity

    The Data Science, Automation, & Cybersecurity discipline in the hydropower industry focuses on using advanced technology, programming, and data analysis to optimize operations, improve safety, and protect critical infrastructure. Professionals in this field develop software, analyze large datasets to enhance efficiency, design automated systems for monitoring and control, and safeguard hydropower facilities from cyber threats. Their work supports smarter, more resilient energy generation and infrastructure management.

    Examples of job roles in this field include:

    • Data Analysts
    • Automation Engineers
    • Cybersecurity Specialists
    • Control Systems Engineers
    • IT Security Analysts
    • IT Specialists

  • Engineering & Hydrology

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    Engineering & Hydrology

    The Engineering & Hydrology discipline involves designing, building, and maintaining the structures and systems that make hydropower possible. This includes everything from dams and turbines to electrical grids and water flow management. Professionals in this field use knowledge from civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, environmental, geotechnical engineering, and hydrology to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable hydropower operations. Their work supports the reliable generation of clean energy while balancing environmental and community needs.

    Examples of job roles in this field include:

    • Civil Engineer
    • Mechanical Engineer
    • Electrical Engineer
    • Structural Engineer
    • Hydrologist
    • Environmental Engineer
    • Geotechnical Engineer
    • Power Systems Engineer

  • Environmental Science & Sustainability

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    Environmental Science & Sustainability

    Professionals in environmental science and sustainability help ensure that hydropower projects protect ecosystems, water quality, and wildlife while meeting energy needs. They conduct environmental impact assessments, monitor habitat health, and develop strategies to support fish passage and river restoration. Their work bridges science, policy, and community values, shaping hydropower solutions that are both renewable and responsible.

    Examples of job roles in this field include:

    • Environmental Scientists
    • Ecologists
    • Sustainability Specialists
    • Water Quality Analysts
    • Environmental Compliance Officers
    • Restoration Specialists
    • Wildlife Biologists
    • Archaeologists and Historians

  • Legal

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    Legal

    The Legal discipline in the hydropower industry involves navigating the complex laws, regulations, and contracts that govern energy production, environmental protection, and public safety. Legal professionals help ensure compliance, manage risk, support regulatory approvals, and address issues related to property rights, licensing, and dispute resolution. Their work is crucial in helping hydropower projects operate smoothly within legal frameworks and community standards.

    Examples of job roles in this field include:

    • Environmental Attorneys
    • Regulatory Compliance Specialists
    • Contract Managers
    • Licensing Coordinators
    • Legal Advisors
    • Risk Management Specialists

  • Operations & Maintenance

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    Operations & Maintenance

    The Operations & Maintenance discipline focuses on keeping hydropower facilities running safely, efficiently, and reliably. This field involves monitoring equipment, performing routine inspections, troubleshooting issues, and conducting repairs to ensure continuous power generation. Professionals in this area work hands-on with turbines, generators, control systems, and other critical infrastructure to maximize performance and extend the life of hydropower assets.

    Examples of job roles in this field include:

    • Operations Technicians
    • Maintenance Technicians
    • Mechanical Technicians
    • Control Room Operators
    • Reliability Engineers
    • Field Service Technicians

  • Planning, Project Management, & Regulation

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    Planning, Project Management, & Regulation

    This discipline guides hydropower projects from concept to completion while ensuring they meet technical, environmental, legal, and community requirements. Professionals in this area coordinate teams, manage budgets and timelines, and navigate permitting, licensing, and regulatory processes. Their work helps align projects with long-term energy goals, sustainability standards, and public interest.

    Examples of job roles in this field include:
    • Project Managers
    • Environmental Planners
    • Regulatory Specialists
    • Budget Analysts
    • Community Liaisons