Next Generation Scholarship

The NRF Foundation and retail executive judges are searching for high-performing students who demonstrate a passion for retail and a unique, innovative perspective on our industry to apply for the NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship. Recipients will be ambitious, adaptable and have the potential to impact the future of retail.

The Application

The 2026 NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship application consists of two phases. In the first phase, applicants will submit an essay, personal brand video, one letter of recommendation, resume, headshot and school transcripts. Applications are due on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Applicants will be notified by June 24, 2026, if they are selected to move on to the semifinalist stage. In this phase, 25 students are required to complete a case study created in collaboration with the retail partner Under Armour, and two interviews with assigned retailers by Aug. 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET.

From there, ten students will advance and complete quick-fire video interviews with the NRF team. The top five finalists will then be selected and notified by October 6, 2026. The finalists will complete final round interviews with members of the NRF Foundation Board of Directors to determine the top recipient.

The top recipient will receive a $25,000 tuition scholarship and will serve on the NRF Foundation Board of Directors for one year. Four finalists will receive $10,000 tuition scholarships each.

Introduction

The NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship is the pinnacle achievement for students interested in pursuing careers in retail. This opportunity was created for students of various academic backgrounds who have demonstrated leadership skills, previous retail experience, and a passion for making an impact.

This scholarship develops students’ skills in retailing, business, and critical thinking, preparing and encouraging them to not only launch their career in retail, but be recognized among the next generation of leaders in the industry.

Description

The NRF Foundation and a panel of retail executive judges are searching for high-performing students who demonstrate a passion for retail and a unique, innovative perspective on our industry. Each applicant will be evaluated on their demonstrated understanding of the retail industry. Applicants should exhibit original, unexpected and creative ideas.

Process of Selection: A selection committee will review completed applications received by May 26, 2026. On June 24, 2026, the NRF Foundation will announce up to twenty-five semifinalists to move to the next round of judging. Semi-finalists have seven (7) days to notify the NRF Foundation of their acceptance of the selection or the NRF Foundation will select a replacement semifinalist.

On June 24, the NRF Foundation will issue the case study project only to semifinalists. Semifinalists must complete and submit a case study assigned by NRF Foundation that will be reviewed by a panel of retail judges. The assignment is due no later than 12:00 p.m. ET on August 10, 2026, to be considered. A panel of retail executive judges will then select the top 10 applicants from the semifinalists to move to the next phase of evaluation. The top 10 applicants will complete quick-fire interviews with the NRF Team between September 24-28, 2026. From there, the top 5 finalists will be selected and notified by October 6, 2026. Finalists have seven (7) days to notify NRF Foundation of their acceptance of the selection or NRF Foundation will select a replacement finalist.

Finalists will be interviewed by NRF Foundation Board of Directors members in the Fall of 2026. Retail executives will judge the finalists to decide upon recipients of each scholarship. NRF Foundation will announce the recipients of the scholarships during the NRF Foundation Honors in January 2027. Decisions by the judges are final.

Scholarship Amounts

Travel Stipend: The 25 semifinalists, as determined by the selection process described above, will receive a travel stipend of up to $1,000.00 to defray the costs of the student's registration for and travel expenses to the NRF Foundation Student Program Convention provided that s/he satisfies all of the eligibility requirements. The NRF Foundation will remit travel stipends directly to each applicant's University. After the University pays for Scholarship applicant's Convention registration and related expenses, the University may use any remaining travel stipend money to help subsidize the attendance of its students at any National Retail Federation conference or educational program that benefits the retail industry.

Top Scholarships: The scholarship amounts available for the five finalists are: One (1) $25,000.00 scholarship for the top-scoring finalist and one (1) $10,000 scholarship for each of the remaining four finalists. These scholarship funds will be distributed in February 2027 to each finalists’ respective University on behalf of the finalists. Each University will distribute promptly the full scholarship amount to the appropriate Scholarship recipient.

Qualifications

Each student who fulfills all of the eligibility requirements applies for the Scholarship by having all components of the application—which includes an essay, a personal brand video, one letter of recommendation, transcript, resume, and head shot—completed and submitted.

Students must enrolled full-time at a U.S.-based college or university. There is no limit to the number of students who can apply per university.

Appearances. Eligible students must be available to attend and participate in: (1) the 2027 NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City, January 7-10, 2027, including the NRF Foundation Honors in New York City on January 10, 2027.

Status. Any student eligible to earn a scholarship must be a junior or senior enrolled full-time at a University at the time when the scholarship is presented in January 2027. Employees of National Retail Federation and their immediate families and household members are ineligible to enter and earn scholarships.

One-time Scholarship Recipient. Eligible students must not have previously received an award of $10,000 or more from the NRF Foundation.

Citizenship. Eligible students must be U.S. Citizens or legal U.S. residents eligible to work in the United States.

Grade Point Average. Eligible students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.

Retail Experience. Eligible students must have prior or current experience working in a retail job or retail internship.