The purpose of the NCGA Research Ambassador Program is to build a network of future leaders in the agriculture sector. Students will be selected each year to receive financial support as well as travel and networking opportunities.
Ambassadors must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and be involved in research relevant to corn production.
Why apply?
Students selected as NCGA Research Ambassadors will receive the following:
- Financial award of $2,500 directly to the student;
- Up to $750 for registration and travel reimbursement for participation in scientific research conferences;
- Fully-funded travel to participate in NCGA events throughout the year, which could include grower research committee meetings, congressional visits at the state or federal level, Commodity Classic, Corn Congress, farm field days, etc.
Who can apply?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- Current enrollment as a graduate student with identified advisor
- Involved in research broadly related to corn production (breeding, genetics, computer science, engineering, etc.).
- Available to fully participate in the program, which includes travel to at least one NCGA grower meeting. NCGA travel opportunities will fall during the academic year and/or summer field season. Potential travel dates include the following:
- NCGA Grower Committee Meetings | January 9-11, 2024 | Saint Louis, Missouri
- Commodity Classic | February 29 - March 2, 2024 | Houston, Texas
- NCGA Corn Congress | July 15-18, 2024 | Washinton, D.C.
While any student meeting the above criteria may apply, preference will be given to students involved in research associated with the Genomes to Fields research network.
Applications must be submitted no later than May 31, 2023, 11:59 PM PDT. Awards will be announced in June 2023. Program duration will be August 2023 through July 2024.
Julian Cooper, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Brendan Hanson, Purdue University
Kirsten Hein, Colorado State University
Aimee Schulz, Cornell University
John Searl, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Seth Tolley, Purdue University
Rachel Veenstra, Kansas State University
Brandon Webster, Michigan State University
Corey Schultz, University of Georgia
Dylan L. Schoemaker, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Matthew J. Runyon, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Alden Perkins, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Claire Menard, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities