ACAMS, the certification and intelligence company for the anti-financial crime (AFC) community, has awarded scholarships to 30 AFC professionals worldwide, investing in the next generation of practitioners working to combat an increasingly complex financial crime landscape. This investment comes as nearly half (47%) of AFC professionals globally cite gaps in education and training as a top concern for the effectiveness of their financial crime operations, according to the ACAMS Global AFC Threats Report 2026.

Each recipient will receive support to pursue one ACAMS Specialist Certification – CAMS, CAFS or CGSS – along with access to the ACAMS Virtual Classroom, a three-year ACAMS membership and a three-year membership with their nearest ACAMS Chapter. The 2026 cohort has already demonstrated a commitment to advancing the fight against financial crime through research, advocacy, volunteering or community engagement. Recipients were selected for these contributions, as well as their strong potential for continued growth and leadership in the field.

“To fight financial crime effectively, we need a deeper bench of talented, committed AFC professionals,” said Neil Sternthal, CEO of ACAMS. “This scholarship is about investing in promising professionals who have already demonstrated their commitment to this work and giving them the training, support and network to grow into the next generation of AFC leaders.”

Almost 2,000 candidates in over 145 countries applied for the 2026 scholarship program, reinforcing a strong global demand for education and professional development in the fight against financial crime. This year’s recipients were selected through a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process, concluding with final reviews by a global panel of judges representing ACAMS Chapter boards.

“The caliber of applicants this year was exceptional,” said Mitch Farsad, Director-FIU, AML & Financial Crimes Investigations at Stifel Financial, and lead judge from the 2026 program, representing the Greater St. Louis and Kansas City Chapter. “These 30 recipients stood out not only for their achievements to date, but for their passion, leadership potential and commitment to strengthening the global fight against financial crime. We are excited to see the impact they will make in the years ahead.”

ACAMS is committed to giving AFC professionals the education and community they need to stay ahead of financial crime. The scholarship program extends that commitment by supporting promising professionals at a pivotal stage in their careers, helping them deepen their expertise and expand their networks while contributing to a safer financial system worldwide.

For more information about the 2026 scholarship recipients and the ACAMS Chapter judges who participated in the selection process, click here.

About ACAMS®

ACAMS is the global leader in certification, training, and intelligence for anti-financial crime (AFC) professionals. ACAMS sets the standard for how organizations prevent, detect, and respond to money laundering, fraud, and sanctions evasion. Trusted by 70% of the world’s leading banks, as well as governmental and law enforcement agencies, and FinTechs, the organization has 120,000+ members across 200+ countries and territories. Its 65+ chapters and annual conferences connect AFC professionals across every major financial center. Learn more at acams.org.

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