Call for Proposals: 2026 Ledford Scholars Program
The Appalachian College Association is pleased to announce that the application period for the 2026 Ledford Scholars Program is now open. Eligible undergraduate students from ACA institutions are encouraged to seek funding to support their intensive research projects in either the summer or fall terms of 2026. Deadline for fully completed applications (including endorsement letters from your CAO and Faculty Mentor) is Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Students: Submit Your Application
2025 Ledford Scholars Summer Research Presentations
The ACA is very pleased to share the recorded presentations of our 2025 Ledford Scholars who completed their summer or fall research projects.
The ACA’s Ledford Scholars Program offers financial assistance for intensive research projects to undergraduate students enrolled at ACA member institutions. Undergraduate students from Appalachian or contiguous counties, from any disciplines, are eligible, and a variety of fields of study, research approaches, and methodologies are supported each year. Scholars may select to complete their project in either summer or fall term.
The Ledford Scholars program provides stipends for students wishing to participate in undergraduate summer research at a rate of $13.00/hour for up to 300 hours total ($3,900 maximum). Additionally, an allotment of up to $1,200 for reimbursement may be furnished for reasonable project-related equipment and travel expenses. (See Ledford Scholarship Application Guidelines for full details.) As total award allotments each year are based upon applicants’ budget estimates in their proposals, it is important that expected hours/costs be anticipated as closely as possible to actual needs, so we can fund the maximum number of applications.
The application must have the support of a faculty member who will agree to serve as a mentor throughout the research project (and the mentor’s endorsement letter is included as a part of the student’s application). Faculty mentors also receive a small stipend for their work with these students.
Ledford Scholars Application Guidelines
Students applying for the Ledford program: Please note that in addition to your proposal and related materials, your full application also requires endorsement letters from your Faculty Mentor and from your school’s Chief Academic Officer. Please furnish them adequate time to complete your letters prior to application deadline.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a full-time student during the academic year in which the application is made;
- Attend the ACA institution as an undergraduate student in the fall semester following the summer project or during the fall semester research project;
- Have graduated from a high school or been home schooled in a designated Appalachian or contiguous county as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission (see the list of Appalachian and contiguous counties); and
- Have a 2.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale.
Research projects:
- Must receive the endorsement of a faculty mentor and the Chief Academic Officer of the student’s institution;
- Cannot have more than two Ledford supported students participating; and
- May include travel necessary to achieve the research goals.
Ledford Scholar Responsibilities
Participation in the Ledford Scholars Program carries certain responsibilities for the student researcher:
- Public presentation of research outcomes at one’s home campus (or other appropriate venue) during the fall term after the project;
- Provision of a short (4-6 minutes) video of presentation of one’s research findings, which will be highlighted on the ACA website; and
- Submission of a final project report to the ACA in the early fall semester (if a summer project) or late fall term (if a fall semester project), including actual hours worked on the project and a record (with copies of receipts) of any research reimbursements.
Award funding in the amount of actual hours worked and research reimbursements, up to the initial award, will be provided to the student’s institution following completion of the final report. See the Ledford Scholarship Application Guidelines for a full description of program policies and procedures.
View the Ledford Scholars Information Video
(Please note updates since the recording of the video: Student stipends now pay $13 an hour, up to 300 maximum hours, and up to $1,200 in research reimbursements.)
ACA Announces 2025 Ledford Scholars Award Recipients
The Appalachian College Association is very pleased to announce our 2025 Ledford Scholars. Forty-eight undergraduate students, representing 16 member institutions, receive funding for their intensive research projects to be completed in either the summer or fall terms.
