The Meacham Family AFS Student Travel Fund is an endowment of the American Fisheries Society - Alaska Chapter. The purpose of the fund is to prioritize the growth and professional development of student members of the Chapter by supporting student travel and networking opportunities. This fund allows donors to contribute to student development with confidence that their donations will do exactly what they intended.

The fund was established in 2023 with an initial pledge of $30,000 by Charles H. Meacham and Charles P. Meacham, retired fisheries scientists who dedicated most of their decorated careers to Alaska fisheries. With your help, this gift will grow to provide a permanent, reliable source of funding to support students and strengthen the future of our profession.

Building on the Meachams’ founding donation, the Chapter is raising more funds until we reach an initial goal of $85,000 in base principle, which will be held in perpetuity. After the fund reaches this initial goal, student travel endowment awards will begin being disbursed annually, using up to 2% of the market value of the fund. After the fund principal reaches an ultimate goal of $125,000, the amount available for awards will rise to 4%, providing a stable and permanent source of support for student travel. The fund’s guiding principles state that awards will be made to graduate and undergraduate students intending a career in a fisheries-related field, with priority given to students attending Alaska campuses or conducting Alaska-specific research.