The Culinology® Scholarship Foundation (CSF) is the charitable and educational arm of the Research Chefs Association — the leading professional community for food research and development. Our mission is to provide scholarships and educational opportunities for individuals pursuing careers in Culinology, culinary arts, and food science.

Eligibility Details
  • Candidates must be, or become, RCA members.
  • Current students and high school seniors who have been accepted at a qualified institution are eligible. Rising freshman applicants must have graduated from high school before July 1 of the year in which they will receive the scholarship.
  • Proof of acceptance as a full or part-time student into an accredited college, university, culinary academy, or technical institute is required.
  • Candidates must be accepted into, majoring, or completing courses in Culinology, culinary arts, or food science at a college or higher level. Preference may be given to RCA-approved Culinology degree program students.
  • Applicants can apply for multiple scholarships, but will be awarded a maximum of one scholarship.
  • Recipients will receive scholarship money via deposit at the Financial Aid Office. Acceptable uses include books and supplies, lab fees and tuition expenses. Recipient must provide the address of the scholarship office or financial aid office and all relevant details.
Materials Required to Complete this Application
  • Your name must appear in the file name of all attachments.
  • Academic transcripts (can be unofficial) and credits earned covering the most recently completed semester/quarter
  • Proof of acceptance, as a full- or part-time student (minimum 6 credit hours), into an accredited college, university, culinary academy or technical institute
  • Letter of reference (one or more) from an educator, supervisor, professional contact, or other non-family member who can speak to your experience and interest in Culinology, culinary arts, or food science
  • Essay (500 words or less) describing what effect this scholarship will have on your education and career (please include prior food-related extra-curricular activities, work experience, and achievements)
Judging

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
GPA: 35%
Essay: 65%
Timeline

February 7, 2025: Deadline to submit completed applications and materials
March 3, 2025: Notification of applicants via email
March 20, 2025: Recognition of scholarship recipients during the CSF Awards Luncheon at the RCA Annual Conference in St. Louis, Mo.
2025 CSF Scholarship Opportunities
Michele Block Memorial Scholarship

The Michele Block Memorial Scholarship was created by RCA and Darifair Foods (now Rubix Foods) in 2006 to honor the memory of Michele Block.

Michele Block was a long-time member of the RCA and Vice President of Marketing for Darifair Foods, one of RCA's founding sponsors. During her time on the Board of Directors, Block acted as the Associate representative. Her dedication to building the organization's successful partnership program, as well as helping to plan several annual conferences, has significantly advanced RCA's mission and contributed immeasurably to its many accomplishments.

This scholarship awards $1,000 plus a $500 travel stipend to attend the RCA Annual Conference, March 18-20, 2025, in St. Louis.
Tyson Foods Scholarship

The Tyson Foods Scholarship was established in 2016 to create an opportunity for individuals to succeed in the discipline of Culinology.

The scholarship provides financial assistance in the form of a $1,000 scholarship for qualified students enrolled in a culinary arts or food science program at a college or higher level. Preference may be given to RCA-approved Culinology degree program students and/or those pursuing a degree with a meat science emphasis.

Question Title

* Please select which scholarship(s) you would like your application to qualify for:

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