Students pursuing careers in the beef industry are encouraged to apply for the 2027 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship through the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded.
Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play a vital role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program.
“We are honored to partner with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to champion the next generation of leaders in the cattle industry,” said John Ricci, CME Group managing director and global head of agricultural products. “By investing in these emerging leaders today, we’re helping ensure that tomorrow’s cattlemen and cattlewomen have the knowledge, innovation and resilience needed to feed a growing world for generations to come.”
Eligible applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two- or four-year institution. The application process includes submitting a one-page letter expressing career goals related to the beef industry, a 750-word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem, and two letters of recommendation. The applicant or a family member must be a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
The application deadline is Oct. 9, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org. Scholarship recipients will be recognized during CattleCon 2027, Feb. 2-4, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Organized in 1972, NCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing charitable, scientific and educational activities to benefit the cattle industry.
