Scholarships Available for Students Pursuing Chicken Careers
Delmarva Chicken Association has opened the application period for its 2026 College Scholarship Program. Applications are being accepted for undergraduate scholarships of $2,000 and graduate degree scholarships of $3,000. Complete applications for these scholarships must be received by DCA no later than Friday, March 27, 2026. DCA's annual College Scholarship Golf Tournament supports these scholarship awards; last year's tournament raised nearly $30,000 for the scholarship fund. Since 1985, DCA has awarded more than $270,500 to undergraduate and graduate students. For 2026, DCA is offering online applications for both scholarships; visit dcachicken.com/scholarship to apply.
"It's an exciting time to be preparing for a career in the chicken community," said Holly Porter, DCA's executive director. "Some 18,000 jobs on Delmarva are directly tied to our chicken companies, and thousands more careers are supported by the chicken economy. We're excited to be able to help students start journeys toward their chicken careers each year through these scholarships."
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 uploaded with the online 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 high school seniors or current undergraduate students who will study 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. For the purposes of this scholarship program, an accredited, degree-granting institution includes two-year and four-year colleges and universities, as well as accredited technical, trade, or vocational schools that award associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degrees or recognized post-secondary credentials relevant to careers in Delmarva's chicken community.
Previous recipients, if still eligible, may reapply. Applications will be evaluated by a committee of DCA representatives using a 100- point rubric for Scholastic Record (20 points), Answers to Questions (45 points), School/Community Activities & Awards (20 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).
About Delmarva Chicken Association
Delmarva Chicken Association, founded in 1948, is the Delmarva chicken industry's voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education and member relations. DCA's vision is to be the most-respected chicken organization in the United States. For more information about the Delmarva Chicken Association, visit www.dcachicken.com or call 302-856-9037.