Stay tuned for more information about our 2027 scholarship applications.

OESP now has FIVE scholarship opportunities:

Dave Nelsen Scholarship
Click HERE for the 2026 Dave Nelsen Scholarship application for students pursuing a two or four-year technical degree. This is a one-time $5,000 scholarship.
The 2026 Dave Nelsen Scholarship application has closed.

Dave Nelsen Student Certification Scholarship
Click HERE for the 2026 Dave Nelsen Student Certification Scholarship application for students seeking certifications for qualifying education up to a maximum of $2,000.
Student Certification Scholarships are accepted on a rolling basis 

Dave Nelsen Technician Scholarship
Click HERE for the 2026 Dave Nelsen Technician Scholarship application.
Technicians seeking qualifying education are eligible for a maximum of $2,000.
Technician Scholarships are accepted on a rolling basis

OESP Family College Scholarship
Click HERE for the 2026 OESP Family College Scholarship application for family members of members in good standing of OESP. Students attending accredited two or four-year colleges with any major will be eligible. This will be a one-time $2,000 scholarship.
The 2026 OESP Family College Scholarship application has closed.

Dan Holohan Instructor's Grant
Click HERE for the 2026 Dan Holohan Instructor's Grant application.
Available to instructors of any qualified HVACR program. This is a one-time $1,500 scholarship.
The 2026 Dan Holohan Instructor's Grant application has closed.

Please email completed paperwork to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mail it to:
OESP
312 North Avenue East, Suite 5
Cranford, NJ 07016.

Questions?  Call us at 888-552-0900.

Scholarship Information

OESP is proud to recognize industry leaders while investing in the next generation of energy professionals.

Established in 1999, the Dave Nelsen Scholarship has awarded more than $300,000 to students pursuing careers in the energy service industry.

The scholarship program is funded through the generosity of our sponsors, individual donations, and our annual Golf Outing held during the Eastern Energy Expo. As OESP's largest fundraising event for the scholarship program, the golf outing plays a vital role in helping us invest in the future of the energy service industry.

Thanks to this support, OESP awards between three and six $5,000 scholarships each year. Organizations and individuals are invited to sponsor a scholarship with a $2,500 contribution, which OESP matches to provide a full $5,000 award to each recipient.

Scholarship applicants are asked to submit a 500-word essay describing how their educational background has prepared them for a successful career in the energy service industry and outlining their career goals for the next five to ten years.

In addition to the Dave Nelsen Scholarship, OESP also supports educators through a The Dan Holohan Instructor's Grant, a Technician Scholarship and a Student Certification Scholarship.

• The Dan Holohan Grant was established in 2015 to help instructors at HVAC colleges, trade schools, and technical high schools further their education or purchase tools, equipment, books, and instructional materials that enhance classroom and hands-on learning.
• The OESP Technician Scholarship awards up to $2,000 is for technicians seeking qualifying education.
• The Student Certification Scholarship awards $2,000 for students pursuing technical training.

Contributions are always welcome and may be made to OESP with a note indicating that the donation is designated for our scholarship program.

Thank you to our 2026 Dave Nelsen Scholarship Sponsors

Congratulations to the 2026 Dave Nelsen Scholarship winners!

Pictured from left to right:

• Jesse McDermott – Attending Entech and resides in West Hartford, CT. This scholarship was co-sponsored by the Bucks-Mont, Poconos, Lehigh Valley, Delaware Valley, Central PA and Southeast PA chapters of OESP.
• Amar Maula – Attending Entech and resides in Guilford, CT. This scholarship was sponsored by Carlin/Hydrolevel.
• Austin DeBolt – Attending Alfred State College and resides in Berkshire, NY. This scholarship was co-sponsored by the NYC, Long Island and Westchester Chapters of OESP.
• Steven Herb – Attending Entech and resides in Naugatuck, CT. This scholarship was sponsored by the New Haven Chapter of OESP.
• Nick DeMartino – Attending Entech and resides in Durham, CT. This scholarship was sponsored by R.W. Beckett Corp.