ACPN Explorer Program

The mission of the Automotive Content Professionals Network (ACPN) is to educate, inspire and connect industry professionals who specialize in the management of automotive product related content. The ACPN Scholarship awards two (2) deserving individuals, who have the passion and determination to pursue professional and personal growth, the opportunity to attend and join the ACPN Community at the annual Auto Care Connect conference, which is the largest gathering of content professionals and business solution providers in the aftermarket

The ACPN community learning track at Auto Care Connect is where most major manufacturers, distributors, and parts experts in the automotive, heavy duty, equipment, agriculture, and/or powersports content management space come together to share best practices, network with peers, and interact with business solution providers. At Auto Care Connect, content professionals can learn how to develop more accurate electronic catalogs, gain insights on more efficient production processes and become aware of new technology and techniques, which will ultimately help them and their companies:

  • Sell more products
  • Reduce costs
  • Increase efficiencies

 

eligibility
  • The applicant must never have attended an “In-Person” ACPN Conference before. 
  • The applicant's employer must be an Auto Care Association member in good standing.
  • Be willing to submit a 2-3 minute video discussing your conference experience (To be submitted post conference)

Disclaimer: If you applied for the scholarship in a previous year and were not selected, you may apply again as long as the above criteria is met.

submission requirements
  • 2-5 minute pre-recorded video OR 10 minute Live Conversation introducing yourself and sharing how attending ACPN at the Auto Care Connect Week would benefit you personally and professionally.
    • To schedule your live conversation, email ACPN@autocare.org. This must be scheduled prior to submission deadline.
     
  • Supervisor Approval Letter: Provide a letter from your current supervisor indicating the following items in the event you are selected:
    • Why they recommend you being a candidate for this scholarship 
    • Approval to attend the 2025 Auto Care Connect Conference. 
  • Travel expenses outside of the maximum reimbursable amount of $1200 are covered by your company, as well as all expenses in the event that expense receipts are not submitted and received by Auto Care within 10 business days of the last day of the conference per the reimbursement policy) 
  • The total value of this scholarship is estimated at over $3000.
  • One (1) professional reference (Cannot be the same as your supervisor)
    • Name, Company, Title, Email, Phone 
  • Resume  
  • LinkedIn profile link (Optional) 
scholarship winner receives
  • Complimentary:
    • 2025 Auto Care Connect Conference Registration (Auto Care Connect Week is home of the ACPN Knowledge Exchange Conference)
    • Hotel Room (Monday through Thursday night, covers cost of room only)
  • Reimbursement up to $1200 - Airfare, Ground Transportation, Meals and Other Expenses (Reimbursement Policy: To be reimbursed, you must submit receipts for all expenses to Auto Care Association at ACPN@autocare.org within 10 business days of the last day of the conference.)
  • ACPN swag bag 
  • On-Stage recognition and plaque presentation
  • Tailored Scholarship Conference Journey
    • Meet with Auto Care to get a deep understanding of what all Auto Care does and how far their reach is.
    • Hang with the ACPN Chair, Vice-Chair and Leadership Council at the ACPN Chair's Dinner and Entertainment networking event.
    • Walk the trade show with an industry professional to understand the ecosystem of the aftermarket, who the players are and how they all fit together.

2025 ACPN Leadership 2.0 Scholarship

The Automotive Content Professionals Network (ACPN) awards ONE deserving ACPN member a scholarship to attend the highly-acclaimed University of the Aftermarket’s Leadership 2.0 Program.  

Leadership 2.0 is a post-graduate style leadership and business skills education program designed to promote the development of the next generation of auto care leaders. It is the industry's cornerstone educational program that fosters the development of a new generation of visionary auto care executives. The program is an intense and intellectually-challenging two-week executive development and learning experience deeply rooted in the theoretical and practical application of auto care leadership principles.  

Graduates of the program receive 7.0 CEUs towards their Automotive Content Professional (ACP) and  Automotive Aftermarket Profession (AAP) designations. The scholarship is valued at $6,650 and covers the price of tuition, class materials and meals.  (Travel/hotel accommodations are not included in the program cost.)   

The first session is scheduled for the week of August 11-15, 2024 at the Northwood University Campus in Midland, MI. The second session is planned to be held the week of March 9-13, 2025 in Raleigh, NC.  

 Eligibility:

  • Applicant must be a current member of ACPN. 
  • The applicant’s employer must be an Auto Care Association member in good standing. 
  • The scholarship applicants should have achieved success within their organizations through professionalism, hard work, dedication and remarkable abilities. 
  • Applicants are examples of outstanding young professionals in the auto care industry. 
  • Winners are responsible for travel/hotel accommodations to each session.  

The Leadership 2.0 scholarship is generously funded by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation

Closed

Opens early 2025

 

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