Accessibility and Inclusion Initiatives

The focus and purpose of the AASECT Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee and Equity Fund Scholarships is to increase membership, certification, and conference access to underrepresented groups within AASECT.

According to the AASECT membership demographics survey, the most underrepresented populations within AASECT are: gender diverse, those under 24 years old, BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color), people with a disability or disabilities, and those with annual household incomes of less than $80,000 USD.

In 2026, the JEDI Committee is also taking action to support Puerto Rican sexuality professionals for the next two years after our 2026 Annual Conference in San Juan, PR. These scholarships will cover two years of membership fees, or certification or renewal fees for Puerto Rican sexuality professionals.

The following five initiatives have been approved in the following amounts.

The scholarship application period will end at 11:59pm PT on Thursday, August 27.

Supervision Scholarships

5 scholarships for AASECT supervision of $2,000 each will be awarded. Those scholarships will include:

• 3 scholarships for professionals seeking to become supervisors-in-training:
  • 1 sexuality counselor supervisor
  • 1 sexuality educator supervisor
  • 1 sex therapist supervisor
• 1 scholarship for an educator seeking supervision
• 1 scholarship for a counselor seeking supervision

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must identify as gender diverse and/or BIPOC to apply

*Click here to apply* [1]

Certification Application Fee & Membership Scholarships

4 scholarships for certification application fees ($300) and one year of AASECT membership ($220) will be awarded.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must identify as an underrepresented population within AASECT:
  • Gender diverse
  • 24 years old or younger
  • BIPOC
  • People with a disability or disabilities
  • Sexuality educators
  • Household incomes of less than $80,000 USD

*Click here to apply* [2]

AASECT Membership Fee Scholarships

5 scholarships for one year of AASECT membership ($220) will be awarded.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be identify as an underrepresented population within AASECT:
  • Gender diverse
  • 24 years old or younger
  • BIPOC
  • People with a disability or disabilities
  • Sexuality educators
  • Household incomes of less than $80,000 USD

*Click here to apply* [3]

Microgrants

4 microgrants of $1,000 each will be awarded.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must identify as an underrepresented population within AASECT:
  • Gender diverse
  • 24 years old or younger
  • BIPOC
  • People with a disability or disabilities
  • Sexuality educators
  • Household incomes of less than $80,000 USD

*Click here to apply* [4]

 

Puerto Rican Sexuality Professional Scholarships

In 2026, the JEDI Committee is taking action to support Puerto Rican sexuality professionals during the two consecutive years following the 2026 AASECT Annual Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. These scholarships will cover either:

• Two consecutive years of AASECT membership, or
• AASECT membership plus certification application or certification renewal fees during that same two-year period.

A total of 5 scholarships will be awarded. Each scholarship provides support for a continuous two-year period beginning after the 2026 AASECT Annual Conference. The support period cannot be split, deferred, or extended beyond those two consecutive years.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must identify as a Puerto Rican sexuality professional living in Puerto Rico or the diaspora

*Click here to apply* [5]

 

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Selection Process:

1. Verification: All applications will be reviewed to ensure that candidates meet the eligibility requirements and have completed the necessary form.
2. Random Drawing: From the pool of qualified candidates, recipients will be randomly selected. This process ensures an equal opportunity for all qualified applicants.
3. Notification: The selected scholarship recipients will be notified by email or phone. They will be required to confirm their acceptance of the scholarship within a specified timeframe.
4. For Supervision Scholarships - Disbursement: The scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient's chosen supervisor. Unfortunately, funds cannot be provided directly to candidates.

It is important to note that the selection process for these scholarships will be conducted in accordance with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations.

The application period ends at 11:59pm PT on Thursday, August 27. The recipients will be selected at random and will be notified by email from info@aasect.org [6].