NCEDA Foundation Scholarship Opportunities

The NCEDA Foundation supports the advancement of outstanding economic development practitioners by annually awarding scholarships for professional development.

APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Two scholarship cycles are offered each program year (July 1 – June 30). The fall cycle application period typically opens in mid-late August and closes mid-late September. These recipients are announced at the Fall Conference in October. The spring cycle application period typically opens in mid-late January and closes mid-late February with recipients announced at the Spring Conference in March.

The Fall 2026 Application Cycle will open in August! Contact Blair Kennedy with any questions!

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

    • Dan Stewart BEDC Scholarship, which pays for tuition plus reimbursement for all travel, lodging, meal, and ancillary expenses, to attend the one-week Basic Economic Development Course held annually at UNC Chapel Hill.
    • North Carolina Economic Development Academy Scholarship, which pays for tuition plus reimbursement for all travel, lodging, meal, and ancillary expenses to attend one course offering of the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer program at ECU.
    • Jack Ervin IEDC Scholarship, which pays up to $1,000 toward tuition, plus reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, and ancillary expenses, either at the Economic Development Institute (EDI) at Oklahoma University or one course offered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
    • Governor James E. Holshouser Professional Development Scholarship, which pays for tuition, plus reimbursement for all travel, lodging, meal, and ancillary expenses for three sessions at the Economic Development Institute (EDI) at Oklahoma University or three courses for up to three years offered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Maynard Nexsen generously funds part of this scholarship.
    • NCEDA Presidential Leadership Scholarship, in honor of NCEDA Past Presidents, which pays for seasoned executives to experience training at the Advanced Economic Development Leadership training course. Scholarship recipients will be reimbursed for all tuition, travel, lodging, meals, and ancillary expenses.
    •  IEDC Certification Scholarship, which pays up for the exam registration fees associated with the Certified Economic Developer designation.
    • NEW! Student Member Basic Economic Development Course Scholarship, which pays for tuition, plus reimbursement for all travel, lodging, meal, and ancillary expenses, to attend the one-week Basic Economic Development Course held annually at UNC Chapel Hill.
      • Student Member NCEDA Annual Conference Scholarship, which pays for conference registration, plus reimbursement for all travel, lodging, meal, and ancillary expenses, to attend NCEDA’s Annual Conference, typically held in June each year.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The NCEDA Foundation announced 22 scholarship 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