Applications open May 1 for two grants offered through the National Court Reporters Foundation: the Michelle Grimes Memorial Grant and the Monyeen Black Memorial Grant.
These opportunities are open to new professionals in their first two years of employment who have earned the RSR or RPR certification. A total of four awards of $2,000 each will be distributed. Applicants must be current NCRA members and actively working in judicial reporting, CART, or captioning.
Michelle Grimes Memorial Grant
The Michelle Grimes Memorial Grant honors the memory of Michelle Grimes and her unwavering dedication to the stenographic profession. Grimes passed away on May 11, 2017. She was a dedicated court reporter employed by Planet Depos in St. Charles, Ill.
Grimes was a woman of diverse talents and interests which she passionately pursued in great detail, and contributed to her great enjoyment of life and happiness.
The grant, created by her colleagues to reflect her perseverance and passion, supports new professionals as they build their careers and contribute to the future of court reporting.
Two grants of $2,000 each will be awarded to eligible applicants. In addition to meeting certification and membership requirements, applicants must submit a letter of recommendation and complete an essay reflecting on how stenographic court reporting contributes to fair trials, equality, justice, and other legal proceedings.
More than financial assistance, this grant stands as a tribute to resilience, commitment, and the lasting impact of one professional’s legacy.
Full grant requirements and an application can be found on the grant web page.
Monyeen Black Memorial Grant
Nominations open May 1 for the National Court Reporters Foundation Monyeen Black Memorial Grant, an annual award supporting emerging professionals in stenographic court reporting and captioning.
Established by her colleagues in memory of Monyeen Black, RPR, CRR, this grant honors her contributions as a skilled deposition reporter and agency owner, as well as her active engagement in the professional community. Affectionately known as “Mo,” Black passed away on Jan. 11, 2021, and was known to have continued practicing on Rich Germosen’s practice Facebook page even while terminally ill. Her commitment to growth, mentorship, and excellence continues to inspire those entering the field.
The program awards two grants of $2,000 each to new professionals who are in their early years of reporting and have obtained either the RPR or RSR certification. Applicants must be current NCRA members and working in judicial reporting, CART, or captioning.
The grant places particular emphasis on dedication to skill development. Applicants are asked to share their journey into the profession, along with insights into their practice routines and ongoing commitment to improvement — reflecting the discipline and determination that defined Black’s career. A letter of recommendation and an essay are required in addition to the grant application.
Full grant requirements and an application can be found on the grant web page.
Through this memorial grant, NCRF not only preserves Black’s legacy but also invests in the continued strength and professionalism of the court reporting community.
NCRF New Professionals Grant
An additional New Professionals Grant is available for working court reporters or captioners in their first year out of school. The grant helps support start-up expenses such as purchasing software and earning credentials. The deadline is June 5. This grant will have two $4,000 awards and two $2,000 awards. Learn more and apply.
View all NCRF scholarships and grants.
For questions or more information, contact NCRF Director Jill Parker Landsman at jlandsman@ncra.org.
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