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 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. 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).
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).
Completed applications for these scholarships must be received no later than Friday, March 27, 2026. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.
