NCGA William C. Berg Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship
Offered by National Corn Growers Association
About This Scholarship
The National Corn Growers Association, which represents corn farmers across the country, awards five $1,500 William C. Berg Academic Excellence scholarships each year with support from BASF. The award honors the late William C. Berg and is meant for undergraduates who want to carry agriculture, and corn in particular, forward in their careers.
Unusually for a commodity-group award, the major is open: undergraduates in any field may apply, though the essays ask why you are pursuing an agriculture-related career, so applicants need a clear ag connection. The key gate is membership. You must be an NCGA member yourself or the child of one, and NCGA membership is typically held through a state corn growers association.
The application asks for a resume, transcript, one non-family recommendation, and three short essays on challenges facing agriculture, your ag career motivation, and how you would use the award to advocate for corn farmers. Applications for the fall 2027 awards are due February 2, 2027, and past winners cannot reapply.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate college student in any major (the essays focus on an agriculture-related career)
- NCGA member or child of an NCGA member (dues are not listed on the scholarship page; membership is often held through a state corn growers association)
- Previous Berg scholarship recipients may not apply
- Employees of NCGA, BASF, or their subsidiaries, and their families, are not eligible
How To Apply
- Confirm your own or a parent's current NCGA membership, or join through NCGA's How To Join page
- Prepare a current resume, a current transcript, and one recommendation letter from a non-family member such as a professor or mentor
- Answer the three essay questions on agriculture's challenges, your reasons for an ag career, and how you would advocate for corn farmers
- Submit the online application linked from the NCGA scholarship page by 11:59 p.m. Central on February 2, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an agriculture major?
No. NCGA says undergraduates pursuing a degree in any field may apply, but the essays ask why you are pursuing an agriculture-related career, so you should be able to describe a real ag connection.
Can I win it twice?
No. The scholarship covers one year, and previous recipients are not eligible to apply again.