The National Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals is now accepting applications for the Dave Nelsen Scholarship Program. As part of the application process, each applicant is required to write a 500-word essay about himself or herself. Deadline for receipt of the 2016 application and essay is March 24, 2016.

“We want to get to know the applicants — their background and how that has prepared them for success in their chosen field of study — energy," said Angel Gonzalez, chairman of the Scholarship Committee. “We also would like the students to give us an idea of where they see themselves in the next five to 10 years.”

The Dave Nelsen Scholarship fund was established in 1999. Since then, more than $250,000 in awards have been presented to students who are pursuing careers in the energy services industry. This year, the association will award a minimum of three $5,000 awards.

“OESP’s mission is education and between our partnerships with our technical schools and colleges as well as this scholarship program, we are taking the lead of supporting our future technicians through these annual scholarships,” Gonzalez stated.

The scholarships are funded by the association’s annual golf tournament held during OESP’s annual convention. This year’s event is combined with two other associations into a new expanded event known as the Eastern Energy Expo. The golf tournament will be held on May 23, 2016, at Emridge Golf Course, Pawcatuk, Conn.  

OESP’s panel of judges will review the submitted applications. Winners will be notified and invited to attend the Awards Banquet held on Tuesday evening during the association’s annual event, which will be held May 22-26, 2016, at Foxwoods Resort and Casino, Mashantucket, Conn.