TUCKER, GA. — The USPOULTRY Foundation opened its application process for colleges and universities for its Industry Education Recruitment Funding program.

The funding helps recruitment in higher education as the mover toward careers in the poultry and egg industry. 

In the information released by USPOULTRY, Jarod Morrison of Farbest Foods, the Foundation chair, said that for the 2023-2024 year, the association provided $297,580 in student research grants to six US universities with poultry science departments and 20 others with industry-related programs. 

USPOULTRY pointed out that any college or university in the United States that does not have a poultry science department or degree but demonstrates ways of connecting students to the industry is still eligible for a recruitment grant up to $7,000. Schools offering a poultry science minor may be eligible for up to $3,000 in additional funding, pending USPOULTRY Foundation Board approval.

“As we strive to meet the increasing demand for young talent in the industry, we urge colleges and universities nationwide to take advantage of this valuable opportunity,” said Barbara Jenkins USPOULTRY Foundation executive director and USPOULTRY vice president of education and student programs. “Our industry requires a diverse range of majors to function effectively, including poultry and animal science, business, marketing, accounting, information technology and more.”

After applications are submitted, a committee of university and industry professionals will review funding requests and make recommendations to the USPOULTRY Foundation board of directors. 

The application is available here.