Funded again for 2026, the program strengthens the bridge between academic research and real-world farming, ensuring discoveries in the lab translate into real solutions that work in the field. Selected ambassadors will receive travel support, mentorship from NCGA staff and members, and opportunities to engage directly with farmers at NCGA meetings, field days and national events.
Benefits for Growers and Researchers
For corn farmers and research students alike, the payoff is practical and long-term. Ambassadors gain firsthand insight into the challenges and priorities that drive grower decisions, helping align research with what truly matters in the field. In return, growers gain allies who carry their perspective into universities, industry, corporate and policy arenas.
Key outcomes from past participants include:
Bridging research and growers: Ambassadors gain a clearer sense of how their work supports grower priorities.
Professional growth: Networking with farmers, educators, policymakers and industry leaders expands their reach.
Policy perspective: Experiencing how NCGA policy is shaped deepens appreciation for grower-led decision-making.
High satisfaction: More than half of former ambassadors still engage with their NCGA cohorts and recommend the program to peers.
A Researcher’s Perspective
Dr. Kirsten Hein, now a Postdoctoral Associate for the Topp Lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, participated as a past research ambassador and valued the connection she had with real farmers.
“My PhD project was in maize genetics, and I wanted to find better ways to bridge theory with application. Reading papers only takes you so far. It’s easy to get narrowed in on what exists in the literature and not what exists in practice. The ambassador program gave me that interface.”
It also helped her connect with other research colleagues.
“My cohort was amazing. We still talk and meet at conferences. And we’ve also kept in touch with NCGA to keep those connections going.”
Investing in the Future of Corn
Each year, the program builds a pipeline of scientists who understand the data and dirt —researchers whose work drives meaningful outcomes for growers and the industry.
“Growers are already doing science every day — testing, improving, innovating,” said Hein. “But the best part of being a research ambassador was finding and bridging those disconnects between our two perspectives so we can make a difference.”
For more information about the program or to apply to be an ambassador, interested researchers can visit ncga.com/researchambassadors to apply today! Applications for 2026 NCGA Research Ambassadors will close on November 14, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
