Fellowships

The Foundation’s Fellowship Program, established in 2012 and expanded following the Second Century initiative in 2017, is a key program strategically designed to advance the nutrition and dietetics profession while accelerating progress on key nutrition priorities.

The program was designed as a high-impact, time-bound leadership and project-based model that embeds Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and nutrition and dietetics students into priority initiatives, research projects, and programs.

Over the last 14 years, fellows have led defined bodies of work that align with Foundation and Academy strategic goals while expanding their own expertise, visibility, and leadership capacity.

To date, the Foundation has supported 38 fellowships and invested more than $5.5 million in its fellowship program, including $2.63 million directly to the fellows for their time.

A core strength of the model is its flexibility and responsiveness, enabling the Foundation to mobilize expertise in emerging or under-resourced areas while advancing strategic priorities. Foundation fellows conduct research and lead programs that advance progress across the food, nutrition, and health care sectors, including robust dissemination activities.

Key pillars of the Foundation's fellowship program include:

• Fellows serve as catalysts for advancement in emerging and evolving areas of need for the profession.
• Fellowships demonstrate the value of RDNs and nutrition interventions led by RDNs in a variety of settings and areas of practice.
• Opportunities to hone expertise and advance skills, knowledge, visibility, and leadership are both embedded in the fellowships and occur organically as program awareness increases.
• Fellows provide support to organizational units and projects where resources previously weren’t available.

Open Fellow Applications

Fellowships open periodically throughout the year as funding and opportunities become available. Access all open fellowship applications on the Foundation's online application platform.

Application Platform

Applications for the fellowship opportunities below are due by 11:59 p.m. (Central time) on Monday, August 17, 2026.

2026 Evidence Analysis Center Diabetes Research Fellowship (Full-time)

The Foundation is seeking an early-career, doctoral-prepared RDN member of the Academy to serve as their 2026 EAC Diabetes Research fellow. The fellowship begins in mid-September 2026.
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2026 Evidence Analysis Center Doctoral Student Fellowships (Part-time)

The Foundation is seeking two doctoral students who are RDN members of the Academy to serve as their 2026 EAC fellows. The fellowship begins in mid-September 2026.
Learn more