NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL AGRICULTURAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION
New Educational Advancement Program is Investing in Tomorrow's Agricultural Leaders
National PAS is proud to announce the 2025 launch of a new program called the Educational Advancement Program. This program has been made possible by our inaugural donor for this initiative, Merck Animal Health. It aims to enhance agricultural education, particularly at two-year and community-based college programs that offer educational opportunities in agriculture. These institutions provide practical hands-on training to equip students with the skills needed to excel within the industry. ​The launch of this new program was announced at the 2025 National PAS Conference held March 17-20, 2025 in Sheridan, WY.
National PAS would like to thank Merck Animal Health for leading the way in this important initiative. ​​
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This program has been established to provide grants tor educational institutions to support the recruitment and retention of critical on-farm talent and future leaders in the agriculture industry. It also provides for scholarships for college students enrolled in a two-year or four-year agricultural education program. ​​​​
Program Application Guidelines
There are 2 options for applications, as listed below.
The National PAS Educational Advancement Grant provides financial support to help cover costs associated with building, expanding or strengthening animal and/or plant based agriculture programs for long term advancement of potential careers and overall awareness of agricultural careers and opportunities.
The National PAS Educational Advancement Scholarship provides financial support to help cover costs associated with attending industry events, travel related to industry tours/visits, training, professional development, and educational programs for young agricultural leaders interested in connecting with industry partners. If you have questions about applying for a grant or scholarship, or have interest in donating to the EAP (Educational Advancement Program) fund, please email us at admin@nationalpas.org.
GRANT Program Guidelines:
ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS
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Applicants may be a current National PAS Chapter OR a non-PAS educational institution that submits an application to begin a PAS chapter in their state. If new, and awarded grant funds, the chapter must continue to remain in good standing for five consecutive years post grant award. If grantee does not maintain active National PAS membership, the value of the grant monies must be returned to the NPAS Educational Advancement Program. All applications will be considered.
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A grant may be awarded up to $15,000.
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Funds awarded may be used towards building or creating a program to increase awareness of agricultural careers and opportunities. This includes, but not limited to building, expanding or strengthening animal agriculture programs. Other examples include covering costs associated with increasing technology within the classroom, construction of test plots, greenhouses, mobile teacher/learning laboratories, an on-site animal agriculture laboratory, etc…
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Grant recipients are eligible to receive only one grant in a calendar year.
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Preference will be given to those applications received at least 30 days prior to the activity that is referenced in the application.
​APPLICATION PROCESS
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Complete an online application form from the link below.
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Funds must be applied for and approved prior to the beginning of the project. The Educational Advancement Program Grant will not reimburse for any costs incurred prior to being awarded the grant.
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Incomplete applications will not be processed.
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Applications must be submitted online but you can send questions to admin@nationalpas.org.
​SELECTION PROCESS
The grant is administered and managed by the National PAS Organization with support from agricultural industry partners. ​
Applications will be reviewed by a non-biased committee composed of a committee of National PAS Board Members and Industry Partners. The deadline for submission will be August 31, 2025.
All eligible recipients will be approved within the limits of the grant fund as stated above and as long as funds are available (on an annual basis) for distribution.
The selection committee may adjust the number of applicants earning the grant, based upon financial need and number of applicants each year.
​Notification of the status of each request will be sent via email or regular postal service when a decision is made.
SCHOLARSHIP Program Guidelines:
ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA
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Applicants can be from a National PAS Chapter or an individual member in good standing. Non-members may apply and will be considered if no members apply.
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A Scholarship may be awarded up to $1000.
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Funds will be used to cover costs associated with attendance at industry events, for travel related to industry tours/visits or similar programs where students and industry connect.
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Scholarship recipients are eligible to receive only one scholarship in a calendar year.
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National PAS Staff and Board of Directors, including their immediate families, are ineligible to apply for a scholarship.
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Preference will be given to those applications received at least 30 days prior to the activity that is referenced in the application.
​APPLICATION PROCESS
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Complete an online application form from the link below.
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If applying for assistance with industry event registration fees, please attach a copy of any announcement or flyer describing the program and its registration fee.
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Funds must be applied for and approved prior to attending the activity. The Scholarship fund will not offer reimbursement for the fees for previously attended activities.
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Non-members of the National PAS Organization may only be considered if no member applicants apply.
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Incomplete applications will not be processed.
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Apply online now, or email the completed application and required additional information to admin@nationalpas.org.
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SELECTION PROCESS
The Fund is administered and managed by the National PAS Organization with support from industry partners. ​
All eligible recipients will be approved within the limits of the Fund as stated above and as long as funds are available (on an annual basis) for distribution.
​Notification of the status of each request will be sent via email or regular postal service when a decision is made.
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EVALUATION
Recipients must complete and return to National PAS an evaluation form within 30 days of completion of the program. An evaluation form must be submitted online or sent via email.
Grant recipients must also prepare and submit a presentation showing the outcomes to the program that this grant supported and must submit the presentation by March 1st of the following year to allow for a showcase at the National PAS Conference.
FUND SUPPORT
The National PAS Organization, through the generosity of friends at Merck, established the Educational Advancement Program in 2025. Contributions to the Fund are welcome and support both collegiate programs as well as collegiate students studying for an agricultural career with opportunities to meet and network with industry partners and grow their networking skills and connections as they prepare for the workplace. If your company is interested in supporting this fund, please contact us at admin@nationalpas.org.
WHO IS NATIONAL PAS?
The National Professional Agricultural Student Organization (PAS) is a student-led organization that allows students to build and sharpen their skills so that they are ready for the workplace. National PAS has been developing two and four-year college-level professional agriculture students for the workplace through participation in employment experience programs, skill-set development, network opportunities, and organizational activities.
​National PAS is one of only nine Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) that has been approved by the U. S. Department of Education as an integral part of career and technical education.