Oncology Nutrition DPG Grants

Research Grant

Grant application is currently open.

Complete the application here. Deadline to apply is October 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm. 

ON DPG offers research grants annually to support research in the area of oncology nutrition. The research grants are given on a competitive basis to support research in oncology nutrition.

Examples of competitive projects may include (but not limited to):

  •  Nutrition-related interventions
  •  Mixed-methods research
  •  Support for student honors, capstone, thesis. or doctoral research
  •  Outcomes monitoring and/or research
  •  QI projects
  •  Animal or human studies

There are four ON DPG Research Grants available currently:

2 professional awards up to $5,000 each:

  •  1 awarded to a new researcher with limited research experience
  •  1 awarded to a post-doctorate researcher

2 student awards up to $1,500 each:

  •  1 awarded to an undergraduate student
  •  1 awarded to a graduate student (i.e., Masters, DCN, or PhD)

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicant must be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or a student in an ACEND-accredited program.
  • Applicant must be a current active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the ON DPG.

Submission Instructions

  • Applications must be single-spaced, narrow margins, Arial 11 font and include:
    • Cover page including name, institution, title
    • Research proposal (6 pages maximum, including references)
      • (1) introduction and background;
      • (2) aims of the study (and hypothesis);
      • (3) methodology (include IRB status if applicable);
      • (4) statistical analysis plan; and
      • (5) significance and implications for practice
    • Itemized budget including a justification for each line item. Example: Budget Item 1: Gift Cards - $300 (Gift cards will be used as participant incentives.)
    • Signed letter of support.

Funding Expectations

  • Applicants may apply for up to $5,000 for professionals and $1,500 for students. Funds must be used to support the research only (i.e. project materials, research supplies, laboratory assessments, required software, statistical analysis, modest participant incentives, etc.).
  • Funds may NOT be used for salaries, tuition, stipends, or to support indirect or overhead costs.  Indirect costs include items that are associated with running the organization as a whole, such as administration staff salaries, rent, utilities, office supplies, etc. 
  • A maximum of $500 out of the potential $5,000 awards, and a maximum of $250 out of the potential $1,500 awards may be used for oncology and nutrition related travel expenses (e.g., registration, lodging).
  • All funds will be paid directly to the university or organization (not individuals).
  • Grantees are encouraged to publish results in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Note that mentoring may be available for first-time publishers.
  • Grantees are expected to present a research poster outlining the study progress and results at FNCE and/or the ON DPG Symposium. Grantees may also be invited to provide a short oral presentation on research findings.
  • Proposals reviews will be blinded to reviewers and the applications will be treated as confidential information. Copies of the application will not be returned to the applicant.

Educational Grant

Grant application is currently closed.

The ON DPG offers education grants yearly to be used for an in person or virtual conference or other educational activity related to oncology nutrition. 

To apply, please complete the following:

  • Education Grant Award Application which includes
    • Statement of 400 words or less explaining which continuing education activity you will be attending, why you would like to attend, and how it will benefit your oncology nutrition practice and possibly that of others. Please include one example of a project or problem-solving activity that you have worked on recently.
    • Curriculum vitae or resume.

All materials must be completed for consideration including: application, statement, and CV/resume.

The recipients of the grant will be expected to write a short summary of the educational activity attended for publication in the group’s newsletter. Funds will be disbursed after recipients attend the activity and submit a draft of the article to our newsletter editors. 

Executive Committee members are not eligible for the Educational Grant.

Grant Recipients

2025 ON DPG Research Grant Recipients

$5,000 Awards (post-doctoral research):

Jessika Perkins, MS, RD, CSO, LDN

University of Kansas Medical Center 

“Nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices of head and neck oncologists related to the NCCN nutrition guidelines”

$1,500 (new researchers or practicing clinicians):

Erin Gilfillan, MS, RDN, CSO, CDN and Hannah Husby, MS, RDN, CSO, CDN

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 

“Improving Malnutrition Identification in Pediatric Oncology Patients Utilizing Routine Mid-Upper Arm Circumference Measurements: A Quality Improvement Project”

 

2025 ON DPG Education Grant Recipient

Jacqueline (Nickie) Michaelis, MS, RD, CSO, LD

Florida Cancer Specialists Clinical Oncology Nutritionist