Awards, Scholarships & Grants

• Goes above and beyond each day and deserves recognition?
• Has made a difference in the community with innovative, sustainably focused programs?
• Has simply impressed or inspired you by their work?

Each year, the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognizes the outstanding work of our members. We have multiple awards to support continuing education, professional participation, and community initiatives. There are many opportunities for students, and new mini-grants to support a wide variety of HEN-aligned work. Check out the many exciting opportunities listed below!

If you are interested in applying for any of these awards, request an application by emailing Kathleen Searles, MS, RDN, LD at ksearles72@gmail.com and specifying which award application you need. Application deadlines are noted below.

International HEN Membership Education Award
Application due April 28, 2023

The Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (HEN DPG) awards a one-year paid membership to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and to the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group to an RD who is working internationally in the food security or sustainable food systems arenas. One education award in the combined amount reflecting the dues costs for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and HEN membership will be awarded each year.

Dr. Robert E. Putz Memorial Award
Application due April 28, 2023

The Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (HEN DPG) awards a $200 reimbursement education award to support a HEN student member’s attendance at a conference that will further their knowledge of conservation or the environment. 

About Dr. Robert E. Putz: Dr. Putz spent his career with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, beginning as a fisheries researcher and ultimately serving as Regional Director in Alaska and Associate Director for Refuges nationwide. Upon retirement, he worked with The Conservation Fund, leading the effort to protect 300,000 acres on Kodiak Island, Alaska and 15,000 acres in Canaan Valley, West Virginia. Dr. Putz started the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute and provided the vision and inspiration for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s National Conservation Training Center. Truly a “Friend of HEN”, Dr. Putz instilled his values of conservation and environmental stewardship in his daughter, Barbara E. Hartman, who has been a leader in the HEN DPG and advocate for access to nutritious food and clean water from a secure and sustainable environment.

HEN Continuing Education Awards
Application due April 28, 2023

The Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (HEN DPG) awards five continuing education awards, up to $250 each, to support HEN members’ pursuit of continuing education through trainings or modules that will further their knowledge of sustainable food systems, food sovereignty, food justice, anti-hunger policy, environmental nutrition or other topics relating to HEN mission, vision, and values.

HEN Student Continuing Education Awards
Application due April 28, 2023

The Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (HEN DPG) awards five education awards, $250 each, to support a HEN student member’s attendance at a training that will further develop their skills and knowledge of growing equitable and sustainable food and water systems, food justice, food sovereignty, or otherwise align with HEN’s mission, vision, and values.

HEN Community Grant Application
Application due June 1, 2023

Through a mini-grant process, the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group will provide unrestricted funding to support community-led programming efforts related to school or community gardening, urban farming, food security, clean water access or other HEN-aligned work. HEN members may apply on behalf of small organizations they are affiliated with as either volunteers, board members, employees, or advisors. The micro-grant award allows HEN members to invest in the communities we serve. A total of five grants will be awarded with maximum grant award of 1000 USD. Each organization may receive only one award per fiscal year.

Request applications from Kathleen Searles, MS, RDN, LD at ksearles72@gmail.com. Please specify which award application you need.

Do you want to speak at a conference but are feeling limited by the expenses involved? HEN can help!

The HEN Speaker Bureau Grant Program offers grant funding to HEN members to increase access for public speaking engagements. HEN members are eligible to apply for funding through HEN to defray travel expenses, conference registration fees, speaker honorarium and/or costs associated with HEN promotion at an affiliate conference or event. The maximum reimbursement available for 2020-2021 is $500 USD.

For more information about this HEN member benefit, email hen.leaders@gmail.com. 

Past Speaker Bureau Grant Recipients

Mary Purdy, MS, RDN - With the growing concerns around climate change, the role that the RDN can play in promoting a more sustainable & regenerative global food system is as important as ever. HEN Board Member, Mary Purdy, Integrative Eco-Dietitian, provided an online webinar in March as part of National Nutrition Month to IAAND - The International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - on the topic of “Eating to Save the Planet: The Role of the RDN.” 88 audience members from all over the world were in attendance representing countries like Lebanon, Spain, United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, and Pakistan.

Check out Mary's presentation slides HERE.

For more information on our member's Speaker Bureau, visit here.