NRF Foundation ensures that retailers have the quality talent they need for their stores, supply chain facilities and corporate offices.
We provide over $1 million in scholarships every year, connecting more than 80,000 students and 3,700 educational and workforce partners with the retail industry.
Undergraduates can apply now for scholarship opportunities that offer real world case study experiences and help fund travel to NRF NXT in New York City. Explore our scholarship opportunities below.
Opens January 2027
Your demonstrated leadership skills, previous retail experience and passion for making an impact make you the perfect choice for the highest honor we award a student - the NRF Foundation Retail’s Next Generation Scholarship. You can earn the top award of a $25,000 tuition scholarship, a one-year term on the NRF Foundation Board of Directors, and a trip to NYC to attend NRF NXT.
Pictured: 2026 Next Generation Scholarship winner Sarah Starko.
Sept 22 — Deadline for teams to complete the case study
Get real-world experience and make your pitch to retail leaders in the NRF Foundation University Retail Challenge. Open to teams of three to four from all majors, our business competition could earn your team up to $30,000 in scholarships and a trip to NYC to attend NRF NXT.
Pictured: 2026 University Challenge winners from the University of North Texas. From left: Natasha Sturdevant, Angel-Maryann Ntenyi, LaTasia Burton, and Marcos Rodriguez.
NOW OPEN: 4-YEAR COLLEGE SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR OR SENIOR OR 2-YEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE FIRST OR SECOND YEAR
Showcase your leadership strengths and you could earn the NRF Foundation Retail Store Management Scholarship supported by CVS Health Foundation - $10,000 for tuition, the opportunity to discuss store management roles with CVS Health, and a trip to NYC to attend NRF NXT.
Deadline to apply: October 13, 2026
NOW OPEN: 4-YEAR COLLEGE SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR OR SENIOR OR 2-YEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE FIRST OR SECOND YEAR
Show us what great brand partnership you think is NXT and you could earn the NRF Foundation Retail Brand Licensing Scholarship presented by Licensing International Foundation - $5,000 for tuition and a trip to NYC to attend NRF NXT.
Deadline to apply: October 13, 2026
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now open: 4-YEAR COLLEGE SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR OR SENIOR OR 2-YEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE FIRST OR SECOND YEAR
Tell us why you’re ready to start your future today and you could earn the NRF Foundation Bright Retail Futures Scholarship presented by Amazon - a need-based scholarship to help you attend NRF NXT in NYC free of charge.
Deadline to apply: October 20, 2026
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now open: 4-YEAR COLLEGE SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR OR SENIOR - TECHNOLOGY OR SUPPLY CHAIN MAJOR
Your pursuit of a technology or supply chain major – and your forward-thinking about new ways to connect customers to brand and products – could earn you the NRF Foundation Ray Greenly Retail Tech & Supply Chain Scholarship - a trip to NYC to attend NRF NXT.
Deadline to apply: October 20, 2026
now open: COLLEGE ADVISOR NOMINATED - Freshmen & sophomores
Explore the variety of opportunities in the industry early in your academic career by earning the NRF Foundation Rising Retail Stars Scholarship – a trip to NYC to attend NRF NXT.
Check with the NRF Student Association advisor at your school to learn about this travel scholarship opportunity.
Deadline to apply: October 30, 2026
2026 Term closed: COLLEGE ADVISOR NOMINATED
Connect your NRF University Member School to key resources from NRF and the NRF Foundation as your campus’ NRF Student Ambassador – and you could earn a $1,000 scholarship to attend NRF NXT in NYC.
Check with the NRF Student Association advisor at your school to learn about this leadership opportunity.
