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NextGen scholarships, paid internships available

The application period for U.S. Department of Agriculture NextGen scholarships is open.

Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for scholarships of up to $12,000 annually to support their education and gain exposure to career opportunities in agriculture. Paid summer internships are also available. 

Hudson Bolduc is a graduate student at UAF who also operates a hydroponic farm in Ester. Because of the scholarship he received from NextGen, he is able to pursue a doctorate in natural resources and sustainability. He said the NextGen program opened his eyes to new opportunities. 

“I used to think that I was going to work full-time and operate my farm as my business on the side,” he said. “Now, with getting my Ph.D., there’s actually an opportunity to just farm, and that sounds exciting.”

Fellow scholarship recipient Cam Piciaccia applied for a NextGen scholarship “on a whim.” 

“It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” said Piciaccia, a UAF junior. “It has been so life-changing. I have been able to attend two conferences. I’ve made lifelong connections with my peers, UAF faculty and with community members.”

“So, so many job prospects,” Bolduc said.

The NextGen program at the ������app is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in USDA’s food, agriculture, natural resources and health sciences fields. In addition to scholarships, paid summer internships are also open for UAF students. Visit the internships link on the NextGen webpage for more information and to apply. For more internship information, students can contact DeShana York at ddyork@alaska.edu or Jay Clapeck at jjclapeck@alaska.edu.

The deadline to apply for scholarships is May 1. 

To apply, students must first complete the University of ������appgeneral scholarship application and then fill out a NextGen application. Information and links can be found on the UAF NextGen website.

For more information about the program or internship opportunities, visit uaf.edu/ces/nextgen or contact NextGen coordinator Jay Clapeck, at jjclapeck@alaska.edu or 907-474-6203, or project  director DeShana York, at ddyork@alaska.edu.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu. 

This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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