Ohio Soybean Council Foundation Scholarships
Offered by Ohio Soybean Council Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Ohio Soybean Council Foundation, the educational arm of Ohio's soybean checkoff, awards $47,000 a year in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students at Ohio colleges and universities. For the 2027-2028 academic year there are ten awards: seven for undergraduates and three for graduate students.
The undergraduate awards are not limited to traditional ag majors. Along with agricultural business, communications, and education, the foundation lists biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, food science, and molecular biology, reflecting how much soybean research now happens in labs. Most undergraduate awards are up to $3,000, and the Bhima Vijayendran Scholarship pays $5,000 for science, technology, or soybean research. Undergraduates must be Ohio residents, attend an Ohio school full time, have at least sophomore standing by fall 2027, and carry a 3.0 GPA.
Three graduate scholarships of up to $5,000 go to full-time graduate students at Ohio institutions whose research in areas such as crop production, plant pathology, agronomy, soybean breeding, or biobased materials advances the soybean industry. No farm background or membership is required. Applications open October 26, 2026 and close January 15, 2027.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate: Ohio resident enrolled full time at an Ohio college or university, at least sophomore standing by fall 2027, GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Undergraduate majors include agricultural business, communications, or education, biochemistry, bioenergy, bioengineering, biofuels, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, crop science, engineering, environmental science, food science, molecular biology, or related agricultural fields
- Graduate: full-time graduate student at an Ohio college or university researching biotechnology, biobased materials, bioengineering, crop production, plant pathology, crop science, agronomy, soybean breeding, or a related field that advances the soybean industry
- Graduate applicants must show U.S. legal residency
- No membership or farm background required
How To Apply
- Review the undergraduate or graduate requirements on the Ohio Soybean Council Foundation scholarship page
- Open the matching application linked from that page when it opens October 26, 2026 (the foundation uses an online application portal)
- Complete the application and upload the requested materials
- Submit by January 15, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an agriculture major?
No. The foundation accepts a wide range of science and engineering majors, including biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, and food science, alongside agricultural majors.
Can freshmen apply?
Undergraduates must have at least sophomore standing by fall 2027, so current college freshmen can apply for their sophomore year. Incoming high school graduates are not eligible.
Do I need to go to school in Ohio?
Yes. Both undergraduate and graduate applicants must be enrolled full time at an Ohio college or university, and undergraduates must also be Ohio residents.