AFPAA will be accepting applications for the Brig Gen H.J. Dalton Jr. Scholarship program from March 1 to May 31, 2026. All active, Reserve and Guard 3NXX or 35X members and Air Force civilians in core public affairs occupational series or assigned to a public affairs office are eligible to apply.
The program is not limited to traditional public affairs members but also band members, Combat Camera and audiovisual Air Force personnel and employees.
The first career Public Affairs officer to make brigadier general and head SAF/PA, Jerry Dalton worked tirelessly throughout both his military and civilian careers to promote the advancement of the Public Affairs profession.
General Dalton was well known for his commitment to mentoring and encouraging the professional development of Public Affairs personnel. He strongly promoted the value to PAs of taking advantage of the educational opportunities offered by programs like Education With Industry, the Air Force Institute of Technology, and the Air Force Short Course in Communications. He also advocated PAs achieving professional accreditation from organizations like the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
This is the fifth year of the program. It offers recipients up to $1,000 to fund not just college courses but also seminars, workshops, music lessons and courses provided by professional organizations (e.g., PRSA) specifically aimed at enhancing skills related to the PA career field. AFPAA encourages PAs to first maximize their use of Air Force tuition assistance before applying for a Dalton Scholarship. This provides more Dalton Scholarships to be available for professional development opportunities for which Air Force funding is not available.
Up to five $1,000 scholarships can be awarded each year. More scholarships can be awarded in a year depending on the funds required to meet the cost of approved applicants’ training and education. Payment will be made to the scholarship recipients upon successful completion of the approved course work. Selected recipients can apply for additional scholarships in successive years if they have successfully completed their previous course work.