FAQ: 2025 Charles S. Edge Jr. New Speakers Grant

  • This grant is designed to support individuals who are presenting at a professional conference for the first time, specifically at the MacAdmins Conference at Penn State. It provides financial assistance and mentorship to encourage new and diverse voices within the Mac Admin community.

  • The Mac Admins Foundation is offering this grant in partnership with MacAdmins Conference at Penn State.

  • The Foundation created the grant to encourage first-time speakers to share their valuable knowledge, increase diversity at conferences, and foster growth within the Mac Admin community by removing financial and experience-related barriers. The program is named for Charles S. Edge Jr., who passed away in 2024, but was an expert at finding and encouraging new voices within the Mac Admins community.

  • Applicants must be first-time speakers at a professional conference and have submitted a proposal to speak at the MacAdmins Conference at Penn State. Preference will be given to individuals from underrepresented groups.

    1. Submit a proposal to speak at the MacAdmins Conference at Penn State here.

    2. Fill out the application here.

  • No, but you must have submitted a presentation proposal.

  • Check out the topic suggestions on the Call for Proposals page here or check out the Slack channel #psumac-mentors for some ideas.

  • This includes, but is not limited to, individuals from racial and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

  • March 14, 2025

  • March 26th at 5pm.

  • Yes, successful applicants will need to provide a form of photo ID to confirm their identity.

  • $2500 per recipient

  • Invest it in yourself, with our blessings.

  • Late March/Early April

  • April/May (exact date TBD)

  • The MacAdmins Conference at Penn State has agreed to guarantee two speaker slots for first-time speakers.

  • You will be notified via the contact information provided in your application.

  • Updates will be posted on the Mac Admins Foundation website and through relevant community channels, such as the #psumac channel.

  • In future years, the grant program will be announced earlier, in October/November, and the application period will open before the MacAdmins Conference at Penn State speaker applications begin. This is to help people who may not have previously considered applying.

  • Currently, yes. However, the Foundation is very interested in expanding this program in the future, and we hope to add additional conferences, pending funding. If you'd like to contribute to this program, please contact giving@macadmins.org

  • Send an e-mail to giving@macadmins.org or reach out to @rebelati via Mac Admins Slack with any other questions!