NCA Scholarship Program

As a benefit to its members, NCA offers scholarships for continuing education and professional development. The scholarships are awarded bi-annually during two application cycles. Scholarship amounts will be reimbursed to the local chamber commerce following completion of the conference or event. 
 
Eligible Conferences or Events and Scholarship Amount 

U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management (IOM)  
  • ​4 courses across the country – typically January, June and July 
  • $750 year One 
  • $500 year Two 
  • $250 year Three and Four ​
Mid-American Chamber Executives (MACE) Conference  
  • Typically, May of each year in Sioux Falls, SD 
  • $300
NCA Annual Fall Conference  
  • Fall 
  • $200 
NCA Mini-Institute  
  • No scholarships provided, however, NCA will waive registration fee for first-year or first-time attendees. (Must request thru NCA Executive Board/Chair prior to event.) 
Leadership NE  
  • June to February 
  • $500 

Minimum Scholarship Criteria 
  1. Applicant’s Chamber must be a member of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 
  2. Applicant must be member of Nebraska Chambers Association. 
  3. Applicant will be allowed to receive ONE (1) scholarship per application cycle 
  4. Applicant must demonstrate a commitment to the profession. 
  5. Applicant must complete and submit the official application form (below). Applicants will be judged on qualifications, need and professional presentation of their application. 
  6. Include a copy of:  
    *   Most recent resume. 
    *   A letter of support from a Chamber Board Chair or Top Executive. 
    *   Current operating budget. 

Program Details 
  1. Scholarship can be awarded to any chamber staff member provided they meet criteria above. 
  2. Scholarships can be used to cover tuition and travel expenses and will be reimbursed to the local chamber following completion of the conference or event. Paid registration receipt and proof of attendance required. 
  3. Scholarship recipients will be required to make verbal presentation (2-3 minutes) at next NCA meeting or provide a paragraph or two to scholarship chair on what they learned at the educational conference. 
  4. NCA members are eligible for a maximum of $2,000 in total lifetime scholarships beginning with August 2023 application cycle. Only one scholarship per application cycle is allowed per individual. 
  5. Application Cycles  
    *  Cycle 1 - Applications Due – March 2  
            *  Eligible Activities – Annual Fall Conference, IOM Winter Institute
    *  Cycle 2 – Applications Due – September 4 
            *  Eligible Activities – MACE, IOM Summer Institutes, Leadership Nebraska 
  6. The NCA Executive Board has discretion on total amount of scholarships awarded each year. 

Please complete the attached application, attach requested documentation, and return to Rick Nelsen, NCA Scholarship Chairman at [email protected] by stated deadline for each application cycle. 
 
Questions? Please call Rick Nelsen at 308-627-6746.