The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is encouraging college students who are pursuing careers in the beef industry to apply for the 2026 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten students will be selected to receive scholarships worth $1,500 each. NCBA Senior Vice President of Federation Services Todd Johnson said the scholarships aim to seek out the beef industry’s next generation of leaders and get them thinking about how to solve the industry’s biggest issues.
Eligible applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two- or four-year institution. The applicant or a family member must also be a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Johnson said the application process includes submitting a one-page letter expressing career goals related to the beef industry, a 750-word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem, and two letters of recommendation.
Johnson added that both the NCF and the CME Group are excited to be able to help financially support the students who are the future of the ag industry.
Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play a vital role in the future of food production. Applications are due Nov. 7, 2025, at 5:00pm Central Time. Scholarship winners will be announced during CattleCon 2026, Feb. 3-5, in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information or to apply, visit nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.
