Delmarva Chicken Association offers scholarships to students pursuing careers in the chicken community. Since 1985, DCA has awarded more than $270,500 to undergraduate and graduate students.


The 2025 scholarships have been awarded. Look for information about next year's scholarship application process in late 2025.

Eligibility and Requirements

The applicant must be a student in good standing at an accredited institution within the United States, or in the case of graduating high school seniors, accepted to an accredited institution within the United States. A complete transcript must accompany the application, and in the case of high school seniors, proof of college acceptance is required. Applicants must secure a letter of reference from an academic advisor or faculty member. The letter may be included with the application, or the faculty member may email it to the DCA office (dca@dcachicken.com) to arrive by the application deadline. Letters must be on school letterhead and must include the signature of the referring faculty member. DCA membership on the part of the applicant or his/her family is not required and has no effect on the selection process. Scholarship payments are made to the financial aid office at the recipient's school.

Undergraduate Scholarship

Undergraduate scholarships of $2,000 are available to residents of the Delmarva Peninsula who are undergraduate students at any accredited, degree-granting institution, with an academic major in a subject relevant to Delmarva's chicken community and who are pursuing a career path leading to employment in any segment of Delmarva's chicken community. The program also is open to high school seniors on the Delmarva Peninsula who have been accepted at any accredited, degree-granting institution and who are pursuing a career path leading to employment in any segment of Delmarva's chicken community. Previous recipients, if still eligible, may reapply. Applications will be evaluated by a committee of DCA representatives using the following 100-point rubric: Scholastic Record (20 points), Answers to Questions (40 points), School/Community Activities & Awards (20 points), Financial Need (5 points), Faculty Reference (15 points).

Emerson Morgan Graduate Scholarship

Graduate level scholarships of $3,000 will be available to graduate students at United States universities who are engaged in research that directly benefits Delmarva's chicken community. Previous recipients, if still eligible, may reapply. Applications will be evaluated by a committee of DCA representatives using the following 100-point rubric: Scholastic Record (10 points), Answers to Questions (30 points), Activities & Awards (10 points), Research Benefits to Delmarva (40 points), Faculty Reference (10 points).

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Careers in Delmarva's Chicken Industry

MATH

  • Accounting
  • Financial Analyst
  • Sales & Marketing
  • Engineer
  • Equipment Manufacturing
  • Purchasing Agent
  • Equipment Sales
  • Pharmaceutical Sales
  • Plant Maintenance
  • Electrician

WRITING/READING

  • Advertising
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations
  • Trainer
  • Executive Director

SCIENCE

  • Veterinarian for Chickens
  • Nutritionist
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Geneticist
  • Chemist
  • Product Development/Research
  • Ingredient Analyst
  • Environmental Manager
  • Crop Advisor

TECHNOLOGY

  • Plant Maintenance
  • Computer Scientist
  • Database Manager
  • Logistics
  • Mechanic