Applications Open for the Fourth Annual $30,000 National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship
In celebration of the National Day of the Cowgirl, Durango® Boots and the Dude Ranch Foundation are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fourth annual National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship.
The $30,000 scholarship supports a young woman pursuing an education and future career in the Western industry. Applications will be accepted from September 15 through December 31, 2026.
Apply for the National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship
Investing in the Next Generation of Western Women
Since establishing the scholarship, Durango® Boots has awarded $90,000 to help young women pursue degrees and careers connected to the Western way of life.
Now entering its fourth year, the scholarship has grown into a meaningful investment in the next generation of Western women. It is presented by Durango® Boots in partnership with the Dude Ranch Foundation.
“As we open our fourth annual National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship, we couldn’t be more proud of the momentum this program has built,” said Erin DeLong, marketing manager at Durango®. “What started as a single scholarship has grown into a genuine community. We’ve watched incredible young women like Katelyn Collins, Laurel Cox, and this year’s winner, Presley Cooper, turn this opportunity into real progress toward their futures.”
Scholarship Eligibility and Award
The National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship is open to female college students in the United States and Canada. Applicants must currently be in their first year of college and aspire to contribute to the Western industry through a career in agriculture, farming and ranching, equine studies, Western sports, or another Western-related field.
The selected recipient will receive a total award of $30,000, distributed over the remainder of her undergraduate education. The 2027 scholarship recipient will be announced during the summer of 2027.
Applications close December 31, 2026.
Celebrating the Spirit of the American Cowgirl
Durango® Boots established the National Day of the Cowgirl in 2022. Observed annually on September 15, the national holiday celebrates and recognizes the strength, resilience, confidence, and independent spirit of the American cowgirl.
Now in its fifth year of observance, the National Day of the Cowgirl continues to grow as more young women carry the values and traditions of the Western way of life into their education, communities, and careers.
“Every year this program grows, and we will continue to invest in the hardworking, driven women who are shaping the future of the West,” DeLong said.
About the Dude Ranch Foundation
The Dude Ranch Foundation preserves the heritage and advances the future of America’s dude ranching industry by funding scholarships for higher education, conducting horse safety programs, stewarding a free Western Museum, and protecting millions of acres of historic ranchlands. The Dude Ranch Foundation is a duly incorporated nonprofit organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
About Durango®
Founded in 1966, Durango® Boots manufactures and markets quality-crafted Western and fashion footwear for men, women, and children. It is a division of Rocky Brands™, a publicly traded company on NASDAQ® under the symbol RCKY. For more information, visit www.durangoboots.com.