Scholarships

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is proud to serve as the largest provider of dietetic scholarships to deserving students at all levels of study. More than 250 scholarships are available, and applicants only need to fill out one universal application to be matched with the ones the applicant is eligible to receive.

Individual scholarships range in value from $500 to $25,000 each and have varying criteria. The total amount and number of Foundation scholarships awarded each year is determined by fundraising efforts and investment returns on scholarship funds. See the Important Dates section to know when to apply.

Click here to learn more about creating a named fund or here to make a donation to support Foundation scholars.

Jump to the Following Topics for More Information on this Page:

Foundation Scholarship Recipients Tell Their Stories


Looking to Establish a Named Fund?

The Foundation supports and encourages individual and industry contributions to our Scholarship, Award, Research and Public Education Programs. Our goal is to assist students in their academic endeavors, and recognize outstanding members for their contributions, fund member conducted research and provide resources through public education efforts.

Industry, industry foundations, dietetic practice groups, member interest groups, affiliates or individuals may contribute to any existing fund or establish a new scholarship fund. Learn more by downloading the PDFs below:


Important Dates

2024-2025 Academic Year Scholarships

Scholarship Application Opening: February 15, 2024

Extended Scholarship Application Deadline: May 14, 2024, at 10:00 am Central Time
A one-week grace period will be provided for any late or missing recommendation, GPA verification, and GRE verification forms. The Foundation will accept recommendation, GPA, and GRE verification forms through 10:00 am CT on May 21, 2024. 

Interview Notifications: Invitations to interview will be extended to select applicants around early-August 2024.

Please note: Only one Foundation scholarship requires an interview component. Applicants who are not invited to interview will still be considered for all other Foundation scholarships being offered.

Scholarship Notifications: All applicants will be notified of their scholarship status via email in mid-September 2024. Foundation staff cannot provide feedback on individual scholarship applications.

Check Mailing: Foundation scholarship checks will be mailed before the end of the 2024 calendar year. Recipients can expect checks to arrive before the beginning of the Spring 2025 semester.


Apply

The Foundation accepts applications for Foundation scholarships on an annual basis within the Foundation’s external, online application platform, linked below. Any person may apply for Foundation scholarships and will be given fair and protected-class-neutral consideration for an award. In addition, all applicants will be entitled to provide at their discretion any lived experiences they would like to be considered as part of their application. The application for 2025-2026 academic year Foundation scholarships will open within the Foundation's application portal on February 17, 2025. Once available, the 2025-2026 academic year scholarship application will have a deadline of April 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CT.

2023 Recipient Highlights


    Eligibility

    The scholarship proudly offers a singular, centralized application. By completing our scholarship application, the Foundation will automatically consider you for every scholarship we are offering that you meet the eligibility for. If you meet our general eligibility criteria, listed below, we encourage you to consider applying.

    General Eligibility Criteria:

    Academy membership is not required to apply for Foundation scholarships but is strongly encouraged, given most Foundation scholarships require Academy membership to be awarded or give preference to Academy members.

    Please click on the type of program you are enrolled in for your specific eligibility requirements:

    Undergraduate Program

    1. You must be accepted to, or presently enrolled in, a Didactic, Coordinated, or Future Education Model Bachelor’s program accredited by ACEND®.
    2. You must be minimally enrolled for four months of the academic year (August 2024 to July 2025)

    Graduate or Doctoral Program

    1. You must be accepted to, or presently enrolled in, one of the following programs:
      • An advanced degree program in a US regionally accredited college or university.
        • Please note, your major must be in nutrition and dietetics or a related field and you must intend to practice within the field of dietetics to qualify.
      • A Coordinated or Future Education Model Graduate program accredited by ACEND®
    2. You must be minimally enrolled for four months of the academic year (August 2024 to July 2025)

    Dietetic Internship Program

    Any dietetic intern enrolled in their program through June 30, 2024, is eligible to apply. 

    Dietetic interns who participated in an off-cycle match or whose program does not align with the academic year calendar are also eligible to apply, including those who will finish their program between January 1, 2024 and June 29, 2024.

    Dietetic Technician Program

    1. You must be accepted to, or presently enrolled in, a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Program accredited by ACEND®.
    2. You must be minimally enrolled for four months of the academic year (August 2024 to July 2025)

    Other Program Type

    Students of certification programs are not considered eligible to apply.

    Select other academic programs may qualify, if the applicant is also credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. If this applies to you, please email scholarship@eatright.org to determine your eligibility.

    Additional Criteria

    Many scholarships are available to individuals who meet the Foundation’s general eligibility criteria, described above. However, many additional named scholarships have specific additional requirements, some of which are listed below. If any criterion is true of you, don’t hesitate to apply for an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Scholarship this year.

    Member of One of These Groups

    • Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    • Dietetics in Health Care Communities DPG (formerly CD-HCF DPG)
    • Healthy Aging Dietetic Practice Group
    • Management in Food and Nutrition Systems Dietetic Practice Group
    • National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN)
    • New Hampshire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    • Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors
    • Pediatric Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group
    • Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    • School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group

    Residing or Studying in One of the Following States

    • Alabama
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Mississippi
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming

    Major or Career Goal of

    • Business
    • Clinical dietetics
    • Clinical Management
    • Consultant dietetics in health care facility
    • Consultation
    • Culinary arts
    • Food service administration/management
    • Food technology
    • Medical Nutrition Care
    • Nutrition education
    • Oncology
    • Pediatric nutrition
    • Public or community health nutrition
    • School nutrition service
    • Teaching or education

    Enrolled or Accepted at One of the Following Institutions

    • NIH Clinical Center Dietetic Internship Program
    • University of Texas Southwest Medical Center

    Other Special Criteria

    • You have experience as an educator
    • You are a graduate of a Dietetic Technician program from a community college
    • You are employed full-time in dietetics while a student
    • You are returning to school after at least 5 years in the work force
    • You are interested in going to medical school

    Applicants meeting one or more of the specific qualifications listed above are in no way guaranteed a scholarship; however, they may be eligible for a greater number of scholarships.

    Questions? Contact us at scholarship@eatright.org.

    Online Application Platform