What products and commodities are eligible?

Eligible products for null include:<ul><li>Pigs</li></ul>

<ul><li>Be a current or (applied for acceptance) graduate student in a swine program.</li><li>Prepare a cover sheet with the following information:</li><li>Name of applicant</li><li>Name of school where you completed your undergraduate degree and degree title</li><li>Name of school enrolled for graduate work</li><li>Contact information (email address, cell phone number, and home and school mailing addresses)</li><li>Share their understanding of at least one issue confronting the pork industry today or in the future, including how the applicant would address it.</li><li>Write a brief letter indicating what role the applicant sees themselves in the pork industry after their graduate program degree.</li><li>Obtain two letters of reference from current or former professors or industry professionals.</li></ul>

Neil Dierks Pork Industry Scholarship Guide

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.

Neil’s 2021 retirement created an opportunity to honor his contribution to the U.S. pork industry and legacy as a leader through the Neil Dierks Scholarship.

Grant

National

Enterprises

Pigs

Eligibility

Be a current or (applied for acceptance) graduate student in a swine program.
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)
Share their understanding of at least one issue confronting the pork industry today or in the future, including how the applicant would address it.
Write a brief letter indicating what role the applicant sees themselves in the pork industry after their graduate program degree.
Obtain two letters of reference from current or former professors or industry professionals.

Details

Terms

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.

Application Instructions

The application period for the 2027 Neil Dierks Scholarship is now open through Friday, December 18, 2026!

Please submit your application either through the online form, by email, 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

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

Forms

Online form (on the scholarship page)

Resources

National Pork Industry Foundation scholarships

Updated November 5, 2026

Image Credit: Annie Spratt

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Neil Dierks Pork Industry Scholarship