Scholarship Opportunities
Explore a range of scholarship opportunities for aspiring and recertifying IBCLCs.
The MILCC Scholarship
The MILCC Scholarship is awarded once a year to IBCLC Exam and Recertifying candidates. The main criteria for selection is financial need, and priority is given to candidates who serve a population lacking access to the specialized services of an IBCLC.
In the last five years, MILCC has awarded 397 scholarship recipients support totaling over $140,000. Applications are open June 1 – 30, 2026.
The Global Humanitarian Scholarship
In response to increasingly common crises preventing lactation professionals from completing the final crucial step on the journey towards the IBCLC credential, this scholarship is designed to provide financial support to those affected by humanitarian crises occasioned by climate change, geopolitical issues, or natural disasters. Typically, one or two scholarships are awarded each year.
Since its founding in 2022, this scholarship has reached lactation professionals around the world, including Ukraine in 2023, West Africa in 2024, and the Philippines in 2025. Applications are open June 1 – 30, 2026.
The JoAnne W. Scott (JWS) Scholarship
In honor of JoAnne W. Scott, the JWS Scholarship is awarded once a year to an IBCLC Exam or Recertifying candidate from a peer-to-peer support group. Typically, a small number of scholarships are awarded each year.
Since 2010, the JWS Scholarship has been awarded to 27 peer-to-peer support counselors, with financial assistance totaling over $17,000. Applications are open June 1 – 30, 2026.
Dr. Clifton J. Kenon, Jr. Scholarship
Established in 2020 by IBLCE, the Dr. Clifton J. Kenon, Jr. Scholarship seeks to reduce health disparities through the certification of lactation professionals primarily serving African-American communities in the United States.
This scholarship will provide funding for initial certification or recertification to a minimum of five lactation professionals who provide lactation care primarily to the African-American community. To maximise impact, priority will be given to those seeking to earn initial IBCLC certification. A time-limited scholarship, totalling 30 awards, will be distributed. To date, 14 scholarships have been awarded.
The scholarship is named in honour of Dr. Clifton J. Kenon Jr., who played a key leadership role as a former Treasurer and Board member with IBLCE and is a subject matter expert in the diversity and inclusion field. An IBCLC since 2009, Dr. Kenon consistently demonstrates exemplary leadership and is an outstanding advocate on behalf of lactation.
The Dr. Clifton J. Kenon, Jr. Scholarship application requires the submission of a brief essay and two letters of recommendation describing the candidate’s work providing lactation care to primarily African-American populations. It is strongly preferred that one letter come from a current IBCLC in good standing that is familiar with the candidate and their work, and one from an African-American family for whom the candidate has provided lactation support. Applications are open June 1 – 30, 2026.