Delmarva Chicken Association accepting applications for scholarship

Linda Cicoira photo. 

By Linda Cicoira

The Delmarva Chicken Association is accepting applications for its 2026 College Scholarship Program with $2,000 being awarded to undergraduates and $3,000 to graduate degrees in the chicken industry.

“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,” she added.

Applications can be submitted by visiting dcachicken.com/scholarship  Deadline to apply is March 27, 2026.

DCA’s annual College Scholarship Golf Tournament supports these 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.

An applicant must be a student in good standing at an accredited institution within the U.S., or in the case of graduating high school seniors, accepted to an accredited institution within the U.S. A complete transcript must accompany the application. For high school seniors, proof of college acceptance is required. A letter of reference from an academic advisor or faculty member is also a must. The letter may be uploaded with the online application, or the faculty member may email it to [email protected] by the 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. Previous recipients, if still eligible, may reapply.

A DCA committee will evaluate submissions 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).

The Emerson Morgan scholarships will be available to graduate students at U.S. 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).