Institute of Food Technologists Scholarships: Fueling the Future of Food Science
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is dedicated to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system. A key component of this mission is supporting the next generation of food scientists through its Feeding Tomorrow Fund. This fund offers a variety of scholarships designed to encourage, promote, and reward excellence among students pursuing careers in the science of food. With over $200,000 in scholarships available annually, the IFT's commitment to fostering future leaders in the field is evident.
Feeding Tomorrow Fund: A Gateway to Opportunity
IFT’s Feeding Tomorrow Fund offers academic and IFT FIRST travel scholarships annually for first-year, undergraduate, and graduate students. Since 1985, IFT’s Feeding Tomorrow Fund has awarded more than 2,800 scholarships and over $3 million to food science students.
Academic Scholarships: Investing in Education
The Feeding Tomorrow Fund provides undergraduate and graduate academic scholarships in various areas, including financial need, community college transfer, first-generation college enrollment, and in fields like food engineering, sensory and consumer science, and pediatric nutrition. These scholarships are designed to alleviate the financial burden of pursuing higher education, allowing students to focus on their studies and research. A scholarship for up to $20,000 per student is available.
Undergraduate scholarships are awarded ranging in value from $1,500 to $5,000. The Institute of Food Technologists offers undergraduate scholarships to incoming freshmen, sophomores, and juniors/seniors. The Northeast Section of IFT (NEIFT) offers scholarships to undergraduate students who are active student members of the Northeast section. Student membership and participation in NEIFT is organized through the UMass Food Science Club.
IFT FIRST Travel Scholarships: Experiencing the Forefront of Food Science
In addition to academic scholarships, the Feeding Tomorrow Fund also offers travel scholarships for students to attend IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo. IFT FIRST stands for Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology. Taking place in Chicago, IL, from July 13-16, 2025, IFT FIRST brings together global experts to explore how science and innovation are transforming food systems. Through presentations, panels, and networking, you'll learn about the latest trends, breakthroughs, and challenges shaping the future of food. These scholarships provide students with the opportunity to network with industry professionals, learn about the latest research and innovations, and gain valuable insights into the future of the food industry.
Read also: Broad Stem Cell Research Center
Applicants must be graduate or undergraduate students pursuing a degree in food science or a related field. All Feeding Tomorrow Fund travel scholarship award funds will be disbursed to the student directly to be applied to costs associated with travel to the IFT Annual Meeting and Expo.
Elwood F. Caldwell Graduate Fellowship: Honoring a Pioneer in Cereal Science
Submissions are also open for the Elwood F. Caldwell Graduate Fellowship, which awards a $25,000 stipend. The Fellowship is open to students currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in food science focused on research that addresses the needs and demands of the global food system. The fellowship provides a stipend but does not cover fringe benefits, tuition waivers, or additional expenses. Fellowships are non-deferrable.
The Fellowship was created from an endowment by long-time IFT member and Fellow, Elwood Caldwell, PhD. A dedicated member of IFT, Dr. Elwood F. Caldwell was a strong advocate for the mission of IFT’s Feeding Tomorrow Fund. He deeply believed in its valuable role in supporting students in the field of food sciences, and he committed to endorsing a full graduate fellowship in its honor. Caldwell is widely recognized as one of the pioneers in cereal science for his work as director of research and development for Quaker Oats.
Eligibility and Application Details for IFT Scholarships
To be eligible for IFT scholarships, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to the science of food. Applicant must plan to enroll full-time or part-time as an MS or PhD student pursuing a degree in science of food at an accredited or bona fide college or university for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Applicants for all scholarships must demonstrate a commitment to the science of food, such as, but not limited to, membership in IFT. Student members gain access to various resources that assist them in their food science careers. This includes participation in the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) and its competitions, which are among the most prestigious food science competitions for students globally. Submissions for the 2025 IFTSA competitions are now open. Winners and finalists of the competitions will be honored at IFT FIRST.
Read also: Jewish Learning Institute
Yes, you can apply for multiple scholarships with one application. Any transcript is acceptable-printed, scanned, official, or unofficial-as long as it's accurate and legible. All scholarship candidates and sponsors must disclose to the Feeding Tomorrow Fund of IFT in writing any and all actual or potential conflicts of interest, including but not limited to those listed below, which may compromise the integrity of the program. IFT may, in its sole discretion, refuse to accept or cancel a scholarship award if an actual or perceived conflict of interest exists. Scholarship Candidate engages in any conduct that may reflect negatively upon the Feeding Tomorrow Fund or Institute of Food Technologists. All Feeding Tomorrow Fund academic scholarship award funds will be applied to recipient’s tuition, educational fees, or educational expenses required by the university. These funds shall be disbursed to student tuition accounts.
Important Dates and Deadlines
January 14, 2025 | 7 min to readIn this article:The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has opened applications for over 90 scholarships totaling more than $200,000 through its Feeding Tomorrow Fund, aimed at supporting students in food science. The application deadline for all scholarships is February 28, 2025. 2025 applications are closed.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities for Food Science Students
While the IFT scholarships are a significant source of funding for food science students, several other organizations and institutions also offer scholarships.
University-Specific Scholarships
Many universities with strong food science programs offer scholarships to their students. Last year, the Department of Food Science awarded over $10,000 in undergraduate scholarships. CNS Scholarships are available for Food Science majors. Open to all University of Massachusetts Food Science majors who have completed two semesters at UMass with a 3.0 GPA or above. This is the top undergraduate scholarship awarded to a senior Food Science major. Alternates annually between Animal Science and Food Science. Students majoring in Food Science are next eligible for the September 2020-2021 cycle.
A scholarship is available from the primary food science scientific society, IFT. The scholarship is for students about to enroll in UMass Food Science starting the 2022-2023 academic year. The scholarship opens February 1, 2022, and has a deadline of May 31, 2022.
Read also: Applying to Georgia Tech: GPA
Industry-Specific Scholarships
Several industry organizations offer scholarships to students pursuing degrees in fields related to their specific industry. (DMI), annually awards up to nineteen $1,500 scholarships to sophomore, junior, and/or senior undergraduate students enrolled in college/university programs that emphasize dairy. Eligible majors include Food Science majors. Scholarships are awarded based upon outstanding academic achievement; a commitment to a career in a dairy-related discipline; and demonstrated leadership, initiative, and integrity. The American Association of Candy Technologists (AACC) is offering a $5,000 scholarship award for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Other Notable Scholarships
10 Feeding Tomorrow Gateway Scholarships are available in 2025. Barbara B. Recipients must NOT be enrolled in an IFT-HERB Approved Undergraduate Program. Applicants simply need to complete an essay in response to the prompt: “Please explain how Goya has enriched your family traditions." The scholarship deadline is March 21, 2022.
The Importance of Supporting Food Science Education
IFT’s Feeding Tomorrow Fund supports the brightest young minds as we work to solve the biggest challenges in our global food system. We’re proud to offer our scholarship program, which is one of the largest in the nation for food science students, to foster the next generation of leaders who will help address key issues in the global food system and feed our growing population,” said Nina Steele, IFT Director, Engagement, Inclusion, and Volunteer Development.
Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and innovate to advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science and innovation is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all.
tags: #institute #of #food #technologists #scholarships
