ACAMS Opens Applications for 2026 Scholarship Supporting the Next Generation of Anti-Financial Crime Professionals

Global scholarship program will recognize a cohort of high-potential AFC professionals and support their continued growth in the field

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACAMS, the certification and intelligence company for the anti-financial crime (AFC) community, is now accepting applications for its 2026 ACAMS Scholarship. This global initiative builds on the organization’s longstanding commitment to social impact and professional advancement by investing in the next generation of AFC leaders.

Since 2021, ACAMS has supported more than 130 AFC professionals through its global and regional scholarships, attracting applicants from over 100 countries.

The 2026 ACAMS Scholarship marks an enhanced evolution of the program, focusing on identifying and supporting a global cohort of high‑potential, early‑career AFC professionals. The program seeks candidates who have already demonstrated meaningful impact through research, advocacy, volunteering, or community engagement—and who show strong promise for continued growth and leadership in the field.

“Talent is everything. The integrity of the global financial system depends on the people who lead the fight against it,” said Neil Sternthal, CEO of ACAMS. “Through this scholarship, we are investing in the next generation of AFC professionals, equipping them with the skills and community needed to meet an increasingly complex threat landscape and advance the profession.”

As financial crime continues to evolve in scale and complexity, the need for skilled, globally connected talent has never been greater. That challenge is reflected in the ACAMS Global AFC Threats Report 2026, which found that 47% of respondents view staffing and talent retention, as well as skills shortages and a lack of ongoing training, as a high or very high risk to effective operation of their financial crime functions.

Scholarship recipients will receive support to pursue one ACAMS Specialist Certification—CAMS, CAFS, or CGSS—along with access to the ACAMS Virtual Classroom. This expanded range of certification options for scholarship recipients reflects the growing demand for specialized expertise in response to evolving financial crime risks, as well as the continued expansion of ACAMS’ certification portfolio to meet those needs.

Scholarship recipients will also receive a three-year ACAMS membership and a three-year membership with their nearest ACAMS Chapter.

This new program design will serve as the foundation for the ACAMS annual scholarship program going forward, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to developing talent and strengthening a more inclusive, globally connected AFC community.

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); or Humanitarian, Conflict, and Instability.
• Evidence of the ability to create and sustain meaningful community impact within the AFC field.

Online applications must be submitted by Wednesday, June 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applications will be reviewed by members of the ACAMS team as well as a global panel of judges representing ACAMS Chapter boards.

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.acams.org/en/resources/scholarships.

About ACAMS®
ACAMS is the leading international membership organization dedicated to providing opportunities for anti-financial crime education, best practices, and peer-to-peer networking to AFC professionals globally. With over 120,000 current members across 200+ countries and territories, ACAMS is committed to the mission of combatting financial crime through the provision of anti-money laundering/counterterrorism-financing, anti-fraud and sanctions knowledge-sharing, thought leadership, risk-mitigation services, and platforms for public-private dialogue. The association’s CAMS certification is the gold-standard qualification for AFC professionals. It also offers CGSS certification for sanctions professionals, CAFS certification for anti-fraud professionals, and CCAS certification for AFC practitioners in the crypto space. ACAMS’ 65+ Chapters globally, further amplify the association’s mission through training and networking initiatives. Visit acams.org for more information.