FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 5, 2026

Contact: Molly Shevlin, mshevlin@ncitd.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council on International Trade Development (NCITD) is pleased to announce the 2026-2027 NCITD International Trade Scholarship recipients. 

Begun in 2010, the NCITD International Trade Scholarship is for students pursuing undergraduate, graduate or professional degrees who have an interest in pursuing a career in international trade, which they demonstrate through their education, work experience, volunteering, or any other extracurricular activities related to international trade.

The past year was the most disruptive in memory for global trade, even beyond the splash from regular tariff announcements. Global exports are navigating a complex mix of economic slowdowns, geopolitical tensions and shifting trade strategies. We have been reevaluating our trade relationships, even with our allies. We announced a one year pause in the trade war with China. Yet, trade continued to grow! All creating a lot of work for us International Trade professionals and the need to add to our talent pool. “NCITD’s International Trade Scholarships are designed to support students who are looking to take on the challenges of an international trade-related career” says NCITD Board Chair, Heather C. Sears. “Our pool of candidates this year was beyond outstanding, and we are thrilled to support their academic endeavors and look forward to the opportunity to watch them succeed in a career involving international trade compliance.”  

As a new addition to the program in 2026, thanks to the generous financial support from some of the partners at NCITD member firm Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe, NCITD introduced the Benjamin H. Flowe, Jr. Trade Scholar. The top scholarship recipient will receive this distinguished title in recognition of Ben Flowe, a visionary in U.S. export controls and sanctions law. His decades of expertise, leadership, and mentorship shaped the international trade community—and this award celebrates his lasting legacy. Read more about the Benjamin H. Flowe, Jr. Trade Scholar Award. This year’s Inaugural Benjamin H. Flowe, Jr. Trade Scholar Award for 2026 will be awarded to: Alexandra Kaiss, Juris Doctor, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

We look forward to supporting the next generation of international trade professionals—starting with this year’s impressive awardees!

NCITD awarded scholarship funds to the following students for the 2026 program:

• Joao Paulo Cavalcanti Junqueira, Master of Laws in International Economic Law, Business & Policy, Stanford Law School
• Dayle Foster, Juris Doctor, Georgetown University Law Center
• Alexis Hoeller, Juris Doctor, New York University
• Alexandra Kaiss, Juris Doctor, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law - *Ben Flowe Scholar
• Ishmael Maxwell, Juris Doctor, Yale Law School
• Jackson Nealis, International Political Economy, Georgetown University
• Aliz Wark, Bachelor of Business Administration in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Sam Houston State University
• Zihao Yin, Masters in Global Governance and Policy, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

To view the full bios of the recipients, please click here.  

Founded in 1967, the NCITD is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to providing direct expertise on a wide range of import and export international trade compliance topics. NCITD was awarded the U.S. Department of Commerce’s prestigious “E” Award for Exports.

See www.ncitd.org for more information on NCITD membership and its mission.

# # #

National Council on International Trade Development (NCITD)

Contact: mshevlin@ncitd.org

Website: https://www.ncitd.org/