2026 Neil Dierks Scholarship

Closes December 31

The application period for the 2026 Neil Dierks Scholarship is now open through Wednesday, December 31, 2025! Sponsored by the National Pork Industry Foundation (NPIF), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research and education within the pork industry, and administered by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), this scholarship is available to graduate students pursuing careers in agriculture.

One $5,000 scholarship is annually awarded to a student who intends to pursue a career in the pork industry with hopes that they may emerge as a future pork industry leader.

To be eligible, applicants must: 

1. Be a current or (applied for acceptance) graduate student in a swine program.

2. Prepare a cover sheet with the following information:

   • Name of applicant

   • Name of school where you completed your undergraduate degree and degree title

   • Name of school enrolled for graduate work

   • Contact information (email address, cell phone number and home and school mailing addresses)

3. Share their understanding of at least one issue confronting the pork industry today or in the future, including how the applicant would address it.

4. Write a brief letter indicating what role the applicant sees themselves in the pork industry after their graduate program degree.

5. Obtain two letters of reference from current or former professors or industry professionals.

Essays will be judged based on clarity and expression, persuasiveness, originality and relevance to the topic.

Please submit your application either through the online form, email to russelll@nppc.org or send materials in a single envelope to:

National Pork Producers Council

ATTN: Neil Dierks Scholarship

P.O. Box 10383

Des Moines, IA 50306-9960

Please contact Lucy Russell, NPPC Director of Producer Engagement, with any questions about the scholarship at 515-864-7983 or russelll@nppc.org.

Learn more and apply here.