Award and Grant Opportunities

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Our members are making a difference in the lives of many by moving the global understanding of nutrition science forward. To recognize these great accomplishments, the Research DPG offers a variety of awards and grants for members.

The Research DPG offers two types of awards: Author Awards and Research Awards. Criteria for each award, including requirements of application format, content, and submission deadline are detailed in the links below and on the grant platform.

Tips for Submitting a Competitive Application

1. Review the award criteria carefully
2. Read the application requirements
3. Follow format and application content directions
4. Submit your application on time

Tracking Your Application

Applicants receive an email confirming receipt of their application. It is your responsibility to follow-up if an email notification of receipt is not received.

The Award Decision Making Process

The Research DPG Awards Committee reviews each application and decides the winners. Award sponsors do not vote. By the way, the topic of the award does NOT have to relate to the sponsor's product or service.  Award decisions are sent via email.

Submit your Application for a Research DPG
Grant or Award

The Fall 2025 award and grant cycle has now closed.

Applications open on May 1st.

All awards and grants require current RDPG membership to apply.

Past Grant Opportunities

Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Student Pilot Grant Award (1): $2,000

This grant aims to provide pilot or seed money for a student project related to the first 1000 days of the lifecycle.  The proposal should discuss how the project will align with the stated purpose of the grant.  Students must also submit a brief letter of support from a research mentor who has agreed to guide the project.  The support letter should be one page or less. This grant is made possible through funding provided by The Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition.  

Grain Foods Research Institute/Research DPG Pilot Grant Award (2): $15,000 

The purpose of this pilot grant is to support research on increasing whole grain consumption by using refined, enriched, and/or fortified grain-based ingredients and/or foods. Proposal should discuss how the project will align with stated purpose of grant. The award winner will be selected by the Research DPG Awards committee. Two awardees will receive a $15,000 grant award each. This grant is made possible through funding provided by The Grain Foods Research Institute (GFRI).

The Sugar Association Group Pilot Grant Program Award (1): $10,000

The Sugar Association is the official sponsor of the “The Sugar Association/Research DPG Pilot Grant Award.” The research topic does not have to be related to sugar, but the methods should include at least one laboratory-based procedure. The award winner will be selected by the Research DPG Awards committee. One awardee will receive a $10,000 grant award. Students are eligible to apply, but they must submit a brief letter of support from a research mentor who has agreed to guide the project. Payments will be made payable to an accredited post-secondary institution.

Past Awards

Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Student Research Abstract Awards (2): $250

Undergraduate and graduate students (at the time of FNCE® abstract submission) listed as first author on a research abstract accepted for presentation at FNCE® are eligible to apply for one of two $250 recognition awards.  This award is made possible through funding provided by The Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition.

First Author Published Article Award (1)

The purpose of this award is to recognize a member who has an outstanding publication. To be eligible, the applicant must be the first author of a peer-reviewed, scientific publication. Paper must have been published (including e-published) in an issue of a refereed journal dated between June 2nd, 2024 and July 21st, 2025. Papers submitted or accepted but not published will not be considered this year but could be submitted for a future award. Applicants may not submit the same paper for more than one award (i.e., you cannot submit the same paper for both the 2025 First Author and the 2025 Emerging Researcher Author Award). Prior recipients of a RDPG author award must wait three years before reapplying for an author award. All applicants must be members of RDPG for the fiscal year 2025-2026.

Member of the Year Award (1)
Based on recommendation by the RDPG Chair, this award is given to an RDPG member who has served on the Executive Committee or been a member of an RDPG committee within the past 5 years and has demonstrated significant and sustained contributions to the RDPG Executive Committee goals and projects.

Emerging Author Award (1)

The purpose of this award is to recognize a member who has an outstanding publication. To be eligible, applicant must be the first author of a peer-reviewed, scientific publication. Applicants must also be current students or be no more than 8 years past completion of their highest conferred degree. Paper must have been published (including e-published) in an issue of a refereed journal dated between June 2nd, 2024 and July 21st, 2025. Papers submitted or accepted but not published will not be considered this year but could be submitted for a future award. Applicants may not submit the same paper for more than one award (i.e., you cannot submit the same paper for both the 2025 First Author and the 2025 Emerging Researcher Author Award). Prior recipients of a RDPG author award must wait three years before reapplying for an author award. All applicants must be members of RDPG for the fiscal year 2025-2026.

Past External Awards and Grants

*All award winners will be selected by the Research DPG Awards Committee independent of the sponsor and based solely on the criteria found on the Research DPG website

Interested in volunteering for the RDPG Awards Committee? Let us know!

Email the Awards Chairs, Kelsey McLimans, kemclimans@viterbo.edu, and Jingyi Wang, jw61@indiana.edu with any questions about awards and these funding opportunities.