Joyce Meskis Excellence In Bookselling Scholarship -- TWO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FULL RIDE/ALL EXPENSES

The Joyce Meskis Excellence in Bookselling Scholarship Program, founded in July 2023 by Joyce Meskis’s family with an initial funding donation from the Meskis estate, create opportunities for booksellers to gain expertise and seek long term careers in the book industry.

SCHOLARSHIPS INCLUDE:

• Airfare or other travel related expense reimbursement (mileage, car service, bus fare, etc.).
  • MPIBA will purchase a flight or reimburse expenses with proof of expense.
  • Mileage reimbursement cannot exceed cost of flight.
• Hotel room for two nights at the conference hotel.
• Tickets to all conference events (meals included).
• $50 per conference day additional spending stipend.

QUALIFYING CRITERIA:

• Applications (with all identifying factors removed) are reviewed by our Selection Committee to determine scholarship recipients.
• Applicants must own or work for an MPIBA member bookstore in good standing, with dues current.
• Scholarships are not open to stores enjoying “first year free dues” membership.
• If applicable, applicants must have store owner/manager approval to apply, and must be able to attend the show.
• Plan to attend the entire show, and all ticketed events in order to receive reimbursement.
• This scholarship cannot be combined with any other scholarships or reimbursements for the store, during the same fiscal year.
• Bookstores will be reimbursed upon receipt of expense documentation.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY (FEBRUARY 1 - 28, 2026)

First-time Attendee/New Store Scholarships -- Two at $500 EACH

• Recipients will be drawn randomly from all qualified applicants.
• $500 to help with room, board, show tickets, and travel expenses.
• Open to any owner or bookseller from an MPIBA member store in good standing, who has never attended the MPIBA spring conference.
• Please only apply if you are able to travel to the event, and if applicable, have permission from your store owner or manager to attend SpringCon.
• Plan to attend the entire show, and all ticketed events in order to receive reimbursement.
• Bookstores will receive a check for scholarship funds upon confirmation of attendance and expenses.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY (FEBRUARY 1 - 28, 2026)

SPRIngCon Continuing Education Scholarships -- Four at $500 EACH

• Recipients will be drawn randomly from all qualified applicants.
• $500 to help with room, board, show tickets, and travel expenses.
• The applicant’s bookstore must be an MPIBA member in good standing.
• Please only apply if you are able to travel to the event, and (if applicable) have permission from your store owner or manager to attend SpringCon.
• Plan to attend the entire show, and all ticketed events in order to receive reimbursement.
• Bookstores will receive a check for scholarship funds upon confirmation of attendance and expenses.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY (FEBRUARY 1 - 28, 2026)

SPRINGCON TRAVEL & LODGING REIMBURSEMENTS

• We are delighted to be able to offer reimbursements to our bookstore members to help mitigate the costs of attending SpringCon.
• Bookstores qualifying for travel assistance, can request reimbursement to cover a portion of their hotel and transportation expenses (mileage, bus fare, plane fare, parking, etc.).
• To qualify for a Travel & Lodging Reimbursement your store must be an MPIBA member bookstore in good standing that is located more than 30 miles from the event location in San Antonio, TX.
• Reimbursements may be requested through May 31.
• Stores receiving scholarships are not able to also request Travel Reimbursements.

REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNTS:

• • $75 for bookstores with one person attending
  • $150 for bookstores with two people attending
  • $200 for bookstores with three or more people attending

PARKING REIMBURSEMENT:

• • For those not qualifying for a Travel & Lodging Reimbursement, we will reimburse your store for parking, up to $20 per day with receipt.

FORM TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENTS AVAILABLE AFTER SPRINGCON