The Morehead-Cain offers an unparalleled college experience that empowers emerging leaders to step boldly onto their own paths. The Morehead-Cain is the first merit scholarship program established in the United States. Founded at the first public university in the United States. The first to envision and implement a strategic Summer Enrichment Program, and the first to designate a fund for discovery for each of its scholars. The Morehead-Cain provides an undergraduate experience without peer.
Morehead-Cain seek students who embody these four pillars: leadership, character, scholarship, and physical vigor.
Benefits
Four years, four summers—fully funded.
Immersion in a vibrant student body. Experienced advisors to introduce passion and potential to a world of opportunity.
Exclusive enrichment and networking opportunities—indeed a lifetime connection—with the unique tapestry that makes up the Morehead-Cain community across the globe.
Requirements
To apply for the Morehead-Cain, you must be:
On track to graduate high school in the spring
A competitive applicant to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Be nominated by your high school or an affiliate program.
Selection Process
Important Dates
The application to join the Morehead-Cain Class of 2031 is open until 11:59 p.m. EST on October 1, 2026.
Mid December
Semifinalist notification to international students
Mid December
Video interviews for international semifinalists
Mid January
Finalist notification to international students
January–February 2027
Finalist and Alumni Connection Experience
February / March 2027
Morehead-Cain Final Selection Experience
April 2027
Deadline for recipients to accept the Morehead-Cain Scholarship
Method of Application
Admission to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a separate process from the Morehead-Cain application. All forms and correspondence dealing with admission to Carolina should go directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students participating in the Morehead-Cain process must submit a completed application to Carolina by:
October 15, 2026, if applying Early Action; or
January 1, 2027, if applying Regular Decision*
*Please note, this deadline is two weeks prior to UNC’s Regular Decision application deadline.
Don’t attend a nominating school or affiliate program?
If you do not attend a Morehead-Cain nominating school or affiliate program, we encourage you to apply to UNC-Chapel Hill by the Early Action deadline of October 15, 2026. Students attending schools outside of North Carolina who are not residents of North Carolina and apply Early Action to UNC-Chapel Hill may be considered for nomination for the Morehead-Cain through the Admissions Referral Program (ARP).
Morehead-Cain applicants may apply Early Decision (ED) to other colleges and universities and still apply for the Morehead-Cain. We only ask that candidates notify us as soon as possible if they’re admitted Early Decision to another institution and, if they’re not admitted ED and would like to remain in our process, that they not apply binding ED II.
Morehead-Cain is following the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s guidance and will therefore be test-optional for scholarship selection in the 2026–2027 cycle.
For More Information,
Visit the Official Webpage
Application Deadline: October 1, 2026.