In North Carolina’s rural and underserved communities, economic developers often lack the budget to invest in professional growth. The NCEDA Foundation awards scholarships to bridge this gap, covering tuition and expenses for a number of training programs. We also provide scholarships for students.
Review our directory to see options that may be available for you:
Fall applications: open in August/close in September. Recipients are announced at the Fall Conference in October.
Spring applications: open in January/close in February. Recipients are announced at the Spring Conference in March.
Open to Economic Development Professionals
Basic Economic Development
UNC-Chapel Hill
Annual One Week Course
Covers tuition + reimbursement for expenses
Basic Economic Development
UNC-Chapel Hill
Annual One Week Course
Covers tuition + reimbursement for expenses
3 sessions at the Economic Development Institute (EDI), Oklahoma University or 3 courses at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
Covers tuition + reimbursement for expenses
Maynard Nexsen generously funds part of this scholarship.
Pays exam registration fees associated with Certified Economic Developer designation
1 course, your choice of location:
Economic Development Institute (EDI)
Oklahoma University
International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Up to $1000 for tuition + expenses
North Carolina Certified Economic Developer
East Carolina University
Any of the offered courses
Covers tuition + reimbursement for expenses
Training for seasoned executives at the Advanced Economic Development Leadership training course
Covers tuition + reimbursement for expenses
In honor of NCEDA Past Presidents
Exclusively for Students
Pays for conference registration, plus reimbursement for expenses to attend NCEDA’s Annual Conference. This is typically held in June each year.
The NCEDA Foundation announced 11 recipients for the 2026 fall application period.
NC Economic Development Academy Scholarship
Nikolai Beer, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Marley Cloer, Mitchell County Economic Development Commission
Lauren Ellis, NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region
Josh Fasnacht, Chatham County Economic Development
Catherine Whitehurst Grimm, Town of Tarboro
Victor Ihuka, East Carolina University
Jack Ervin Scholarship
Evan Day, Iredell County Economic Development
Lisa Johnson, Cleveland County Economic Development
Governor James E. Holshouser Professional Development Scholarship
Julie Graham, NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region
IEDC Certification Scholarship
Trey Cash, NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region
NCEDA Presidential Leadership Scholarship
Jennifer Bosser, Iredell County Economic Development
The NCEDA Foundation announced 22 recipients for the 2026 spring application period.
North Carolina Economic Development Academy Scholarship
Brook Ainsworth, Anson Economic Development Corporation
Evan Bosley, Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe
Joe Dray, Granville County Economic Development
Gracie Herring, North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region
Morgan McKinney, Rockingham County Economic Development & Tourism
Jake Ross, Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development
Sara Schmidt, Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development
Evan Statile, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Larry VanHoose, Alleghany County
Dan Stewart Basic Economic Development Course Scholarship
Tristan Bailey, High Point Economic Development
Trey Blackwood, Greater Winston-Salem Inc.
Amber Bridges, Bessemer City
Marley Cloer, Mitchell County Economic Development Commission
Caleb Gardner, Burke Development Inc.
Victor Ihuka, East Carolina University
Chase Lemons, City of Reidsville
Stephanie Velazquez, Granville County Economic Development
Alyssa Blair Zimmerman, Franklin County Economic Development
Jack Ervin Scholarship
Brantley Craft, High Point Economic Development
Student Member NCEDA Annual Conference Scholarship
Aanya Lilly, UNC Charlotte
NCEDA Presidential Leader Scholarship
Kelly Andrews, Pitt County Economic Development
IEDC Certification Scholarship
Shayla Douglas, Pitt County Economic Development
