The Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship offers one active WordPress contributor who identifies as a woman a fully funded trip to WordCamp US 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona — covering registration, round-trip airfare, and lodging. For contributors who find the cost of attending a major in-person event out of reach, the scholarship removes that barrier entirely.
WordCamp US 2026 takes place August 16–19 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The scholarship is awarded annually by the WordPress Foundation in honor of Kim Parsell, a longtime WordPress contributor remembered for her care, generosity, and commitment to helping others feel welcome in open source. Colleagues have collected memories and tributes to her work on the project.
To be eligible, applicants must meet all four of the following criteria:
- Identifies as a woman
- The scholarship was created to support women contributors and improve representation at WordCamp US.
- Active WordPress contributor
- Any form of ongoing contribution qualifies — code, documentation, translation, and support among them.
- First-time WordCamp US attendee
- It is open only to contributors who have not attended a WordCamp US before.
- Demonstrated financial need
- Applicants show that travel, lodging, or registration costs would otherwise keep them from attending.
Applications close on July 10, 2026, and all applicants will receive a decision by July 24. The WordPress Foundation encourages community members to share the opportunity with contributors who may qualify but might not be aware of it.
WordCamp US draws contributors, organizers, volunteers, and sponsors from across the WordPress ecosystem each year. In-person attendance opens up collaboration that is harder to replicate remotely — mentorship conversations, contributor day sprints, and sustained connections that carry through the rest of the year. By covering the full cost of attending, the scholarship aims to keep those opportunities open to contributors regardless of their financial circumstances.
The application form is available on the WordCamp Central survey site. Full eligibility details are listed on the WordPress Foundation’s Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship page.
