The highest honor that the NRF Foundation can bestow upon a student features a top award of $25,000 and recognition as an emerging leader in retail.

The 2026 NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship – the highest honor the NRF Foundation awards to undergraduate students – will be announced at the NRF Foundation Honors on January 11 in New York City.
Pictured: Top, left to right: Madison-Jade Bishop (Drexel University), Shayma Banks (Columbia College Chicago); Bottom, left to right: Sarah Starko (Babson College), Jacquelyn Dufner (University of Minnesota), Emme Serafino (Drexel University)

Join us in celebrating
retail professionals
See past NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship semifinalists and learn how to apply.