The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is the world’s largest provider of nutrition and dietetic scholarships at all levels of study. This year, we have awarded a record $812,950 in scholarship support to 330 dietetic interns and students for the 2021-2022 academic year.
“Our Foundation’s strategic priorities include building a pipeline of talent for our profession and preparing the next generation of food and nutrition leaders. I am so proud of the impact we will have on a historic number of students this year,” said Foundation Chair Becky Dorner, RDN, LD, FAND. “We could not have done this without the generous support of our donors. All of our scholarships are fully supported by donations. I would like to thank everyone who has helped us make this happen.”
Annual scholarship support and donations come from individual Academy members, as well as Academy Affiliates, Dietetic Practice Groups, Member Interest Groups, the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) Practice Group, Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), as well as foundations and corporations.
Of the record $812,950 awarded in scholarships this year, $439,450 was awarded to 137 students of diverse backgrounds and cultures, representing 54.1% of total funding. “Our Foundation is committed to ensuring that diversity, inclusion, equality and accessibility are priorities in our annual efforts,” said Dorner. “Our donors have made these efforts a priority as well, working with our Foundation to establish funds that help achieve mutual goals and make an impact with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures.”
The Foundation’s record setting numbers included two first of their kind Advancing Diversity in Dietetics Scholarships, awarded to Academy student members Gabriela Naveda and Latina Robinson. Naveda and Robinson will each receive $25,000 for the 2021-2022 academic year, representing the largest scholarships ever awarded by the Foundation and made possible by an anonymous donor.
"Receiving the Foundation’s 2021 Advancing Diversity in Dietetics Scholarship will help me manifest my dream of improving the health outcomes of the people in my community by supporting individuals from marginalized groups who want to become RDNs. I’d like to help energize movements to improve legislation affecting the field of nutrition and dietetics and contribute to the innovation and research fueling the next wave of best practices and therapeutic approaches in the profession."
Gabriela Naveda
"My goal is to become an RDN to fight type 2 diabetes in minority communities,” Robinson said. “I’d like to work in a wellness clinic to promote diabetes awareness and provide resources to inspire and motivate my clients to defeat this disease. I’d eventually like to eradicate type 2 diabetes across the nation."
Latina Robinson
View a complete list of all of our diversity scholarships and awards and the Academy affiliates, dietetic practice and member interest groups that have supported these efforts, on our diversity scholarships and awards page.
The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and does not receive any portion of member dues and is funded solely by donations. The success and impact of our programs, including scholarships, are directly attributed to the generous support of our donors. Please remember the Foundation each year with a gift to our Annual Fund when renewing your Academy member dues or donate today online!
All Foundation scholarship, award and grant applications and timelines are made available electronically within the Foundation’s application portal. Scholarship applications are generally available from mid- February to mid-April, while most award and grant applications are available from December to February, and fellowship opportunities are posted as they become available.
To ensure you receive all our Foundation news, including scholarship, award, and grant announcements, subscribe to our Foundation’s weekly Kids Eat Right Monday Message and Foundation News.
"Receiving a scholarship from the Foundation really helps to ease to financial burden on the road to becoming a Registered Dietitian. I am so grateful for the Foundation’s generosity towards my education so that I can focus on my studies, so that I can become the best dietitian I can possibly be!"
Moriam Dolapo Balogun
2021 General Scholarship Recipient
"Receiving this scholarship has lifted an enormous weight off my shoulders financially for myself and my family members, who are assisting me during this next chapter in my life. In addition, the scholarship grants me the opportunity to worry less about working a second job during my internship, allowing me to give my full attention to my education."
Allison Marie Shaw
2021 Janette Smith Memorial Scholarship
"The Academy Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation scholarships are truly helping individuals become nutrition champions. This scholarship will help me to become a RDN and launch me future career in nutrition and dietetics."
Theodore R Mitchell IV
2021 Commission on Dietetic Registration Diversity Internship Scholarship
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