Scholarship & Grant Opportunities
Kenley Farrell Memorial Grant-in-Aid
2026 Winner:
Kelly Bentz - Genesee County Health Dept.
The grant funds from 2026 will be utilized to improve our newly developed vector program within Genesee County educating the public about mosquitoes, West Nile Virus, and other vector borne diseases. GCHD-EH plans to achieve this goal by attending a minimum of 5 or more outreach events in the community in the 2026 fiscal year. These outreach events should greatly help us reach the public regarding this important issue through face-to-face interactions, dissemination of materials, and directing people to our social media.
The grant will go to an individual(s) whose project/work promotes a better understanding of Michigan’s mosquito population or improvements in operational mosquito control; for example, projects considered for a grant could involve introducing, expanding, enhancing mosquito biological and/or physical controls, or implementing new industry technologies such as data processing and analysis. Winner Receives:
Up to $2,000 Application Due:
December 1, 2026 Sponsored By:
Hatfield Spraying Service Michigan Mosquito Control Association
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William J. Lechel, II Memorial Scholarship
2026 1st Place Winner
Arpita Nayak
Arpita Nayak is a dual degree DVM/Ph.D. student in the Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology program in Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Arpita has completed the didactic years of the veterinary program and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Dr. Jean Tsao’s lab in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. She studies the invasion of blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) in the state of Michigan.
Students entering this competition will present findings from their research or a synopsis of existing research at the conference. The competition will be extremely valuable in educating students and industry members as well as promoting student involvement in MMCA. Presentations on mosquitoes are preferred, but research in health or pest-related fields, insects, insect control, weather, arthropod-borne disease or science education may also be presented. A total of 15 minutes will be allowed for each presentation.
Winner Receives:
1st $2,000 2nd $1,000 Application Due:
December 1, 2026 Sponsored By:
Michigan Mosquito Control Association 
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Attendance Opportunity Grant
2026 Grant Winner Tammy Theisen
To provide a deserving individual with the opportunity to attend the annual MMCA Conference. This grant allows individuals with an active involvement or interest in mosquito control to attend this educational forum who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.
Winner Receives:
Conference Registration 2 Hotel Nights Travel Stipend Application Due:
December 1, 2026 Sponsored By:
Michigan Mosquito Control Association 
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Award Opportunities
George B. Craig, Jr.
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H. Don Newson
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