2023 SCHOLARSHIPS

The California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation (CA Academy Foundation) offers fifteen scholarships annually ranging from $500 to $2,000 for dietetic students and dietetic professionals.

Note: A student is not eligible to win the same scholarship two years in a row and can only receive one scholarship per scholarship year. The Scholarship Review Committee will determine applicant eligibility. 

General Scholarship Requirements Include: 

  • California Resident – You must reside in California. US citizenship or permanent residence is not required to apply for CA Academy Foundation Scholarships.
  • Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Member of the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Member of Local District when applicable
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA 
  • Demonstrated financial need.
  • All programs must begin within 6 months of scholarship award receipt.

The CA Academy Foundation offers the following scholarships below annually. Click on each one for specific selection criteria.  Annual funding amounts are noted in parenthesis.  

Dolores Nyhus Graduate Fellowship Fund ($2,000)
  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) or Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) or credential to be earned within 6 months of award receipt;
  • Enrolled or admitted to a graduate school or Future Education Model Graduate Program (FEMGP) in the area of public health, gerontology, or a community-related program;
  • Minimum of three years of professional experience;
  • Intends to practice in the field of dietetics and shows substantial contribution to the profession.
Carol Hayes Torio Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)
  • Entering at least the second year of an ACEND-accredited
    • Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
    • Coordinated Program in Dietetics
    • Graduate Program
    • Future Education Model Graduate Program (FEMGP)
  • Entering a Dietetic Internship
Carol Hayes Torio Memorial Dietetic Technician Scholarship ($2,000)
  • In an ACEND-accredited Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) program or current NDTR.
  • NDTR entering an ACEND-accredited:
    • Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
    • Coordinated Program (CP)
    • Graduate Program
    • Future Education Model Graduate Program (FEMGP)
    • Dietetic Internship
Diversity Scholarship ($2,000)
  • Identifies with an underserved population, including, but not limited to:
    • American Indian/Native American
    • Hispanic Non-White
    • Pacific Islander
    • African American
    • Asian
    • LGBTQIA2S+
    • Identifies as male
  • Entering the first or second year of an accredited Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) Program
  • Entering at least the second year or accepted into an ACEND-accredited:
    • Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
    • Coordinated Program (CP)
    • Graduate Program
    • Future Education Model Graduate Program (FEMGP)
  • Entering Dietetic Internship
Consultant Dietitians (CDC) Scholarship ($2,000)
  • Graduate of, currently enrolled in, or accepted to an ACEND-accredited:
    • Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
    • Coordinated Program (CP)
    • Graduate Program
    • Future Education Model Graduate Program (FEMGP)
    • Dietetic Internship
  • Prior experience in or intends to practice in the field of geriatrics or consulting.
Corinne Williams Scholarship ($2,000)
  • Entering first or second year of an accredited Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) program
  • Entering at least second year of an ACEND-accredited:
    • Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
    • Coordinated Program (CP)
    • Graduate program
    • Future Education Model Graduate Program (FEMGP)
    • Supervised Practice Program
    • Dietetic Internship
Back to School for Master's, Doctorate of Education (EdD) or Philosophy (PhD) Degree Scholarship ($2,000)
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN)
  • Enrolled in or admitted to:
    • Graduate School
    • EdD Program
    • PhD Program
  • Minimum years of professional experience for:
    • Master’s – 3 years
    • EdD or PhD – 5 years
  • Continue to practice in the areas of nutrition, health, or wellness.
Virginia McMasters Graduate Scholarship - Bay Area District Members - must reside in one of the Bay Area District Counties ($1,000)
  • $1,000 for up to two candidates annually.
  • Must reside in one of the Bay Area District Dietetic Association counties: Alameda, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, or Sonoma.
  • May be an undergraduate student in an ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program.
  • May be an RD/RDN, Registration eligible, graduate student, or Dietetic Intern pursuing an advanced degree within one of the Bay Area District colleges/universities.
  • The post graduate curriculum must involve the areas of nutrition, health, or wellness.
  • Demonstrate exceptional ability and initiative and exceed standard program performance criteria.
  • Demonstrate professional growth and commitment to the dietetics profession.
Helena Kennedy Memorial Scholarship - Central Valley District Members - must be CSU, Fresno Under/Grad Student ($500)
  • $500 for up to 4 qualified candidates annually.
  • A graduate or undergraduate student of  the CSU, Fresno Dietetics Program – completed graduation must have occurred within past 6 months.
  • Identifies with an underserved population, including but not limited to:
    • American Indian/Native American
    • Hispanic Non-White
    • Pacific Islander
    • African American
    • Asian
    • LGBTQIA2S+
    • Identifies as male
Jacqueline Saracino Scholarship - Los Angeles Region Members - must reside in Los Angeles County ($2,000)
  • Entering first or second year of an ACEND-accredited Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (N/DTR) Program
  • Entering at least second year of, or accepted to, an ACEND-accredited:
    • Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
    • Coordinated Program (CP)
    • Graduate Program
    • Future Education Model Graduate Program (FEMGP)
  • Entering Dietetic Internship
  • Demonstrate community involvement within the areas of nutrition, health, or wellness.
Elizabeth C. Chu Post Graduate Memorial Scholarship - San Diego District Members - must reside in San Diego County ($1,000)
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Enrolled and admitted to:
    • Graduate School
    • EdD Program
    • PhD Program
  • Immigrant or first generation American
  • Continue to practice in the areas of nutrition, health, or wellness.

Scholarship Application Instructions

The Foundation is using Kaleidoscope, a third-party app,  to manage the scholarship applications. When you click on the link below, you will be taken to the Kaleidoscope website to complete your application. The information that you need to complete your application is listed below in the Application Components section. 

Foundation Scholarship applications open at 8 am PST on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Applications will close at 5 pm PST on Monday, August 7, 2023.


Please send questions to: cafoundationscholarship@dietitian.org OR  ca_academy@dietitian.org

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS HERE

 

Application Components:

  • One Page Personal Statement to include how the scholarship will help enhance your education and professional goals. This specific statement could be used on the website with your permission for marketing purposes. 
  • Financial Justification Form 
  • Transcripts from all schools and universities
  • Scholarship screening questions
  • Resume or CV
  • Headshot: 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches or 336 x 336 pixels in PNG format – would be used by the California Academy in marketing materials. 
  • Two Recommendation Requests:
    • Academic source, e.g., a professor
    • Professional source, e.g,, your work supervisor

    .