ACAMS Scholarship
Recognizing and investing in the next generation of anti-financial crime leaders.
Applications for the 2026 ACAMS Scholarship will open soon
The 2026 ACAMS Scholarship is designed for a small global cohort of high-potential, early-career anti-financial crime (AFC) professionals who are already contributing to the field and committed to shaping its future.
Strengthen your momentum with advanced training, a globally recognized credential, and three years of access to a worldwide network of AFC professionals.
Scholarship recipients will receive:
• One ACAMS specialist certification: CAMS, CAFS, or CGSS, with Virtual Classroom
• A three-year ACAMS membership
• A three-year ACAMS Chapter membership
Rising professional making an impact in AFC?
Get recognized for it. This is more than an award, it’s recognition and acceleration.
Already ACAMS certified or a member?
Share this opportunity with a rising professional on your team.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible, applicants must have 18 months to five years of experience in the AFC field, and meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Demonstrated commitment to research in anti-financial crime, sanctions, fraud, or illicit finance
- Proven dedication to campaigning and/or volunteering, aligned with one or more of ACAMS’ social impact pillars:
- Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
- Environmental Crime and Illegal Wildlife Trade
- Exploitative Crimes (e.g., online child exploitation, elderly fraud, romance baiting)
- Humanitarian, Conflict, and Instability
- Evidence of the ability to create and sustain meaningful community impact within the AFC field
Please note: Those who have already completed or are currently enrolled in an ACAMS certification are not eligible for this scholarship.
Why the ACAMS Scholarship Program matters
This program advances ACAMS' mission by investing in people who are directly connected to the impact of our work. By supporting individuals who have contributed to key AFC-related fields, we help build expertise, expand opportunity, and strengthen the global AFC community as a whole.
How to apply
Complete the application form and submit it by the deadline: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Judging process
Applications will be shortlisted by ACAMS and reviewed by a global panel of judges made up of ACAMS chapter board members.
Interested? Applications will open soon.
Terms and Conditions
By applying for the ACAMS Scholarship, the applicant:
1) Agrees to provide ACAMS a testimonial and grants to ACAMS the irrevocable right and permission to use any testimonial (written or oral), photographs, video recordings or images, sound recordings, or other data of the applicant either submitted with the application or taken by ACAMS;
Agrees to allow ACAMS to use, re‐use, publish, republish, copy, modify, display, and create derivative works in whole or in section, individually or in conjunction with other photographs, film, video, or other images, sound recordings, or testimonials in any medium or format whatsoever (including without limitation, in and on print publications, the internet, and other digital transmission or delivery methods) and for any purpose whatsoever, including, without limitation in advertising, marketing, publications, electronic distribution, and the internet, and for any other commercial purpose without further consent; and
a) To use the applicant’s name, image, likeness, voice, other personal characteristics, and professional and personal biographical information in connection therewith; and
b) To copyright the same in the name of ACAMS, or any other name that ACAMS may choose; and
2) Waives any and all rights to such photographs, film, video or other images, sound recordings, or testimonials (written or oral), and assigns all such rights in perpetuity to ACAMS and its affiliates and successors.
The applicant acknowledges and agrees that ACAMS has the right to use any materials, including images, the applicant submits for marketing purposes as determined by ACAMS. ACAMS will not be liable to the applicant for its use of such materials or images.
The applicant understands that there will be no payment or other compensation for the permitted use of any testimonials (written or oral), photographs, film, video, other images, or sound recordings received or taken by ACAMS or of the applicant’s name, likeness, or personal characteristics.
ACAMS shall be the exclusive owner of all rights, including copyright, to the materials. The applicant forever releases and discharges ACAMS from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of such photographs, film, video or other images, sound recordings, or testimonials (written or oral), including but not limited to any claims for defamation, invasion of privacy, right of publicity, emotional distress, or any similar right.
The applicant undertakes and warrants that they do not have a relationship with ACAMS, or with anyone employed at ACAMS, and this includes:
a) Serving as a current employee in any capacity at ACAMS; and
b) Being related to anyone employed at ACAMS as either a spouse, domestic partner, parent, child or spouse of a child, brother, sister, or spouse of a brother or sister.
The applicant represents and warrants that any testimonial (written or oral) given is original and does not infringe upon the copyright or proprietary rights of another person or entity.
The applicant further warrants that the information they submit will not contain any material which is defamatory, private, confidential, or unlawful in any way. Any application found to be in breach of the foregoing statement will be disqualified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarship recipients will receive one ACAMS Specialist Certification (CAMS, CAFS, or CGSS) with Virtual Classroom, a three-year ACAMS individual membership, and a three–year membership with their nearest ACAMS Chapter – all at no cost to the recipients.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must:
- Have between18 months to 5 years of experience in the anti-financial crime (AFC) field
- Demonstrate a commitment to research in anti-financial crime, sanctions, fraud, or illicit finance
- Demonstrate dedication to campaigning and/or volunteering on one or more of ACAMS’ social impact pillars:
- Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
- Environmental Crime and Illegal Wildlife Trade
- Exploitative Crimes (e.g., online child exploitation, elderly fraud, romance baiting)
- Humanitarian, Conflict, and Instability
- Provide evidence of the ability to create and sustain meaningful community impact within the AFC field.
Who is not eligible to apply?
- Previous ACAMS scholarship recipients
- ACAMS employees
- Relatives of ACAMS employees
- Anyone who has already completed or enrolled in an ACAMS certification
How do I apply?
Please complete the scholarship application form. Applications submitted through any other method will not be accepted.
When does the application period closes?
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, June 17, 11.59pm E.T.
Who do I contact if I experience technical difficulties when submitting the scholarship application form?
If you face technical issues when trying to submit your application, try using a different internet browser. If you still experience issues after switching browsers, submit an inquiry via our Help Center.
What is the selection process?
All applications will be reviewed and shortlisted by ACAMS.
To manage the high volume of applications, ACAMS will use automated, AI-assisted tools during the initial screening stage. These tools are used to help identify applications that align with the published eligibility criteria. While AI assisted tools may support the initial review, all applications that progress beyond the first stage are reviewed by the ACAMS team or independent judging panel.
Final shortlisted applications are assessed by an independent judging panel, which will select the 30 successful candidates. This judging panel will consist of ACAMS Chapter board members.
When do I find out if I have been selected and how long do I have to accept?
Recipients will be notified via email at the end of August, ahead of the public announcement. They will have seven (7) working days to confirm receipt and interest in the scholarship. If confirmation is not received within this timeframe, the scholarship offer will be withdrawn.
What happens if I am selected?
ACAMS will guide you through the next steps to help you get started smoothly. You will receive the following:
i) An email to inform you that you have been selected as a scholarship recipient and request confirmation of:
- your continued interest in the scholarship
- your personal details and contact information
To move forward, you must:
- confirm acceptance of the scholarship within seven (7) working days.
- review and confirm your personal details
ii) An email to welcome you on becoming an ACAMS member, along with your account details and what you are entitled to as an ACAMS member.
What you should do next:
- log into your ACAMS account to start benefiting from your membership.
iii) An email with details of the certification of your choice, including details of your study materials, how to apply to take your certification exam, and how to schedule your exam once your application has been approved.
What you should do next:
- start accessing your study materials
- apply for your certification exam
- once your application has been approved, please schedule for your exam.
iv) An email with details relating to class registration, Virtual Classroom study plan, ACAMS credits, certificate of participation, cancellation and transfers, and recordings.
What you should do next:
- go to the Learning Management System (LMS) and access your course, as well as your Virtual Classroom, and follow the instructions on the LMS.
v) An email welcoming you to your chosen ACAMS Chapter
What you should do next:
- participate and engage with your Chapter
The 2026 ACAMS Scholarship period is for 12 months. It begins on October 1, 2026 and ends on September 30, 2026, (“Scholarship Period”). As a scholarship recipient, you must complete the ACAMS certification exam, including any applicable retake(s), within the Scholarship Period. ACAMS reserves the sole right to extend the Scholarship Period for a further six months, or as it deems appropriate.
What is the process of getting CAMS certified? Find out here.
What is the process of getting CAFS certified? Find out here.
What is the process of getting CGSS certified? Find out here.
What if I fail the exam?
If you do not pass your first attempt, you may retake the exam within 30 days. The cost of your first retake is subsidized by ACAMS. Any additional retakes beyond this will be at your own expense.
Yes, as a scholarship recipient, you must complete the ACAMS certification exam, including any applicable retake(s), within the Scholarship Period. This ensures you can fully benefit from the program and all it offers.
If the certification is not completed within this period, additional fees may apply. An active ACAMS membership is required to take the certification exam, and your scholarship includes this membership to support you throughout the process. We recommend sitting for your exam six (6) months before the end of the scholarship period, at the latest, so you have sufficient time to attend an exam retake, if necessary.
The three-year complimentary membership begins at the start of the scholarship period, regardless of whether the recipient is an existing member.