Student Resources
Scholarships
Students with a passion for agriculture and members in a cattlemen's affiliate have access to scholarship opportunities to support their education. These scholarships help invest in the next generation of industry leaders. Click the links to explore available opportunities and apply today!
2026 South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation Scholarship
In 2016, the South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation Scholarship Program was established. This scholarship aims to identify and reward students who are interested in the improvement of beef production and promotion.
Scholarships of $5,000, $4,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 will be awarded to five students from South Dakota enrolled in any post-secondary institution in South Dakota. All awards will be paid directly to the institution the student is enrolled in.
Applications Accepted Through: March 15, 2026
2026 Sioux Basin Cattlemen's Scholarship
The Sioux Basin Cattlemen's Association awards one student a $1,000 scholarship.
Applications Accepted Through: April 30, 2026
Angus Foundation Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship
The Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship is available to youth utilizing Angus sires or dams in their commercial operation. These youth and or their parents/guardians must use Angus genetics in their breeding program.
Youth eligible are pursing an undergraduate degree in animal science, agriculture, rangeland management, or technical trade. Scholarships consist of multiple $1,500 scholarships. Students from an angus seedstock background are not eligible, only commercial.
Applications Accepted Through: May 1, 2026
Red Angus Association of America Scholarship
The Red Angus Association of America awards a minimum of five $2000 college scholarships through the support of the Red Angus Foundation, Inc.
Applicant must be a current JRA member.
Applications Accepted Through: February 15, 2026
South Dakota CattleWomen Scholarship
South Dakota Cattlewomen (SDCW) is dedicated to promoting the beef industry in South Dakota. SDCW will award two – $1,000 scholarships to a young person attending or planning to attend an institution of higher learning in the upcoming semester.
This scholarship can be used at any accredited university, 2 year or 4-year college or technical school.
Applications Accepted Through: June 1, 2026
American National CattleWomen Scholarship
The ANCW Foundation offers two $1,000 Legacy Scholarships to collegiate members who are daughters, granddaughters, or nieces of current members and are majoring in an ag-related field.
Applications Accepted Through: May 1, 2026
Hereford Youth Foundation of America Scholarships
The National Junior Hereford Association, Hereford Youth Foundation of America, and National Hereford Women partner to provide scholarships to outstanding NJHA members to assist in their educational endeavors. The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) scholarship program is designed to provide recognition for outstanding members of the National Junior Hereford Association.
Applications Accepted in the Fall and Spring
Certified Angus Beef Colvin Scholarships
Certified Angus Beef (CAB) offers three scholarships designed to support the next generation of leaders in the beef industry. These scholarships honor Louis M. “Mick” Colvin, the brand’s founding executive director, and continue his legacy of advancing excellence across the beef community.
- Colvin Production Agriculture Scholarship
- For students whose career goal is to enter production agriculture, including work on a farm, ranch, or feedyard. This award recognizes the essential role of handsâon producers in driving the beef industry forward.
- For students whose career goal is to enter production agriculture, including work on a farm, ranch, or feedyard. This award recognizes the essential role of handsâon producers in driving the beef industry forward.
- Colvin Undergraduate Scholarship:
For students aiming to work in meat science, agricultural marketing or communications, agribusiness, allied industry roles, or continued education. This scholarship supports students building skills that strengthen the beef supply chain from pasture to plate.
- Colvin Graduate Scholarship:
- For students pursuing industry research or careers in higher education. Ideal for those committed to advancing beef quality, innovation, and scientific discovery.
Applications Opening Spring 2026
NCBA CME Beef Industry Scholarship
(10) $1,500 UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
The Beef Industry Scholarship was introduced in 1989 through Live Cattle Futures Contract of the CME Group. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation and CME Group are committed to the future of the cattle industry and continue to recognize and support outstanding youth in the beef community. The tradition remains strong today, each year a total of ten $1,500.00 scholarships are awarded to students pursuing careers in the beef industry.
Fields of study may include: education, communications, production, research, or any other area involved with the beef industry. The purpose of this program is to identify and encourage talented and thoughtful students who will emerge as industry leaders.
Individual applicant or their family must be members of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. For more information on NCBA membership, please click here.
Applications open October 2026
NCBA W.D. Farr Scholarship
The National Cattlemen's Foundation honors the successful career of the late W.D. Farr of Greeley, Colorado through two annual $15,000 graduate scholarships bearing his name.
Applications open July 2026
NCBA CattleCon Scholarships
(3) CattleCon & NCBA Trade Show Registrations
This scholarship is geared towards students pursuing a career within the beef and cattle industry. NCBA is looking for students whose passion and work lie within the industry. This unique scholarship gives the future of our industry the chance to put their boots on the ground and take part in all the networking and educational opportunities available at the CattleCon and NCBA Trade Show.
Applications for CattleCon27 open July 2026
Industry Internships
Students passionate about agriculture can also gain valuable hands-on experience through internship opportunities -- equipping the next generation of industry leaders with practical skills and real-world insight. Learn more and apply today!
American Hereford Association Youth Activities & Foundation Internship
Kansas City, MO
The American Hereford Association (AHA) will be hiring one-two youth activities interns for the summer of 2026. The purpose of the internship is to provide a multi-faceted learning experience for a college student interested in beef breed association work, public relations and leadership. Also, to provide the AHA with assistance in event planning and management, junior show coverage and leading the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Board of Directors and membership.
Internship Term: May 2026 - August 2026
Applications Accepted Through: January 15, 2026
NCBA Meetings & Events Internship
Denver, CO
This position was created to provide hands-on experience with the various facets of association event planning, including small meetings as well as a large-scale convention and trade show. The candidate will spend time with NCBA staff learning about association management operations, registration, housing, catering, audio-visual, sponsorships, sales, customer service, supplier relations, exhibits/trade show, event marketing, entertainment, and overall event production.
NCBA Public Policy Internship
Washington, D.C.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, in conjunction with the Public Lands Council, offers internships for the fall, spring, and summer semesters in Washington, D.C. This internship is a unique chance for students interested in the beef industry and federal policy. Interns will have the opportunity to engage with NCBA and PLC staff on several fronts, including policy, communications, and membership, and will work closely with the lobbying and regulatory teams to advance policies important to the beef and sheep industries.
NCBA and PLC are affiliate organizations working on behalf of cattle producers and ranching families across the country. NCBA is producer-directed and consumer-focused, which creates a unique opportunity to unify policy and marketing efforts for the beef industry. Similarly, PLC works to maintain a stable business environment in which livestock producers that hold federal lands grazing permits can continue to conserve the resources and ranching heritage of the West. Together, NCBA and PLC represent the cattle and sheep industries and producers who operate on both public and private lands.
NCBA CattleCon Internship
CattleCon and NCBA Trade Show internship interns work with the NCBA Events team at the largest event in the cattle industry, CattleCon! CattleCon and NCBA Trade Show interns are vital to the success of CattleCon. Our intern positions provide a unique opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience and to interact with leaders from every segment of the cattle and beef industry. It truly is a one-of-a-kind opportunity!
INTERN GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Students will be assigned to help NCBA staff members and producers with a variety of meetings and events at the convention and trade show. Responsibilities may include:
- Setting up, taking down and working the Demo Arena, distribution of handouts, overseeing committee meeting sign-in, setting up the PAC Silent Auction and PAC booth, working the NCBA booth, support speakers at Cattlemen’s College, assist the media team, and other duties as required.
- Students may also help producers with their social media along with contributing in the social media booth.
Qualifications:
- Minimum Junior-level college student at an accredited university (must be registered for and attending college). Senior-level and graduate students are encouraged to apply.
- Preferably have a background in the cattle and/or beef industry
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Students should be well versed in social media
Benefits:
- Excellent opportunity to network with industry stakeholders throughout the beef industry.
- Unique behind-the-scenes experience creating a convention from the ground up
- One-year NCBA student membership
Applications for the 2027 Convention Internship Program will open in July 2026.