The Ferguson Family Program in Food Studies is announcing its second annual competitive scholarship program for the summer of 2026.
A select number of Ferguson Family Food Studies Fellows will be awarded up to $8,000 each to support food-related summer research projects. Each awardee will explore a food topic relating to food or agriculture, broadly conceived. The topic may have an academic or policy focus or an emphasis on public service. As such, projects can be archivally based or involve field work or engagement experiences. Preference will be given to projects that promote long-term advancement of food studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Eligibility criteria:
- Rising junior or senior undergraduate students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill not planning to graduate any earlier than December 2026
- 3.000 or higher cumulative grade point average
Application components:
- A current resumé
- A statement of intent, which should also reveal the applicant’s writing ability (1,000 word limit)
- A detailed budget
- Listing of other summer scholarship or award funding
- A reference from a UNC faculty member willing to serve as a mentor throughout the project
End of award period expectations:
- A body of work demonstrating the knowledge gained during the summer research.
- The scholar may be required to share a presentation in a group setting.
- The scholar may be asked to serve in the screening process for future applicants.
- The scholar must acknowledge the scholarship in any presentation, paper or award relevant to their research.
Award timeline:
- Application deadline – February 13, 2026 (4PM)
- Interviews – February 24 - February 26, 2026
- Finalist notification – March 2, 2026
- Acceptance deadline – March 9, 2026
Please email sbucknr@email.unc.edu for further information.