April 27, 2026

NSSF Invites Employees of Patron Member Companies to Apply for $50,000 in Education Scholarships

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Employees of companies that support NSSF^®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, at the highest level are invited to apply for education aid through the NSSF Patron Member Scholarship Program. NSSF has once again made a total of $50,000 in scholarship funding available for a maximum of 20 winning entries.

NSSF is now accepting applications through 5 p.m. PT on Monday, May 25, 2026.

Scholarships are available exclusively to employees of NSSF Patron Member companies and their eligible family members. (For full eligibility requirements, applicants should review the official guidelines.) The scholarship program is part of NSSF’s ongoing commitment to supporting the people behind the firearm industry and investing in their future.

Applicants must be enrolled in, have been accepted to and plan to attend a college, university or vocational school during the fall 2026 school year. Scholarships are limited to candidates pursuing undergraduate or vocational degrees. Complete rules, applications and scholarship materials are available at nssf.org/scholarship, and applicants are encouraged to review all requirements carefully before submitting.

Essay Topics for 2026

As part of the application process, applicants must submit an essay addressing one of the following topics:

1.) Since 1937, more than $31 billion has been distributed through annual apportionments to states for managing wildlife resources — thanks to Pittman-Robertson excise taxes. Explain how the funds are generated, and how the Pittman-Robertson fund has supported wildlife conservation in the U.S. over the years since its implementation.

2.) When the Bill of Rights was written, some words like “regulated” had a different meaning than most people think of today when they hear that term.

a.) What did “regulated” or “well regulated” mean at the time the Bill of Rights was written?

b.) What other terms in the Bill of Rights are often misinterpreted today because of changes in dialogue over the years?

3.) What does firearm safety mean to you? Elaborate on safety at the range, out in the field and when a firearm is not in use.

4.) Explain how the Second Amendment is part of a broader framework for self-sufficiency (food, water, security) and what is lost when individuals outsource responsibility for their own safety and self-sufficiency.

Essays must be in English and submitted along with the application at nssf.org/scholarship.

Scholarship Awards

Twenty applicants with the highest overall scores will be selected as scholarship recipients. Awards include:

• Grand Prize: $8,000
  
• First Place: $5,000
  
• Second Place: $3,000
  
• 17 Runner-Up Scholarships: $2,000 each

Winners will be notified by email and recognized on NSSF’s website following acceptance.

“This scholarship program is a meaningful way NSSF supports the individuals and families who make up our industry,” said John McNamara, NSSF Vice President, Member Services. “By investing in education, we’re helping build the next generation of leaders while reinforcing the value of Patron Membership.”

For more information about the NSSF Patron Member Scholarship Program, please contact Tammy McIntyre, Manager, Member Services, at tmcintyre@nssf.org.

About NSSF

NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.

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