Scholarships & Awards

HNFE offers the following awards and scholarships to outstanding applicants. Unless noted, apply through Scholarship Central.

Louis M. Briel Scholarship
Open to undergraduate and graduate students, this general scholarship criteria is financial need, academic achievement, and good character demonstrated by community service. Note: only FAFSA eligible students may apply; the determination of financial need will be confirmed by the CALS Office of Academic Programs.

Margaret C. Hepler Summer Research Fellowships (HNFE's graduate program director will notify students how to apply each fall with notifications by early winter.)
The fellowships provide excellent graduate students with financial support to work on their research project over the summer months. The number of awards and the stipend amount varies, but awardees will receive approximately $3,000. Any HNFE graduate student who is actively working towards completion of a M.S. thesis or Ph.D. dissertation project is eligible. Priority will be given to students who have not previously been awarded this fellowship. Note: students may not concurrently hold both a Hepler Fellowship and a GA for the summer. Students who have completed the collection of data for their degree and are in the phase of analyzing data or writing their thesis/dissertation are not eligible.

Ann A. Hertzler Memorial Research Grant  - $5000
This annual grant, awarded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, funds research proposals based on the Academy's Research Agenda for Dietetics. The deadline is February 10th each year. To find the application, select the black "+" button next to Research Grants. Contact Elisha Reichling at 312-899-4768 for more information or assistance.

Michael Houston Memorial Scholarship
This award is given annually in memory of Michael Houston, professor emeritus and former HNFE department head. It supports the research pursuits of a GTA who demonstrates a passion for teaching and an excitement for learning.

P. Howard Massey Food and Nutrition Award

Dr. Massey had a distinguished 36-year teaching career at Virginia Tech that included service as associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, director of Agronomic and Plant Sciences, director of International Development, and chair of the University Committee on International Programs. He valued interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving that addressed evolving issues related to food and nutrition in the U.S. and abroad. The award will provide scholarship(s), or may be used for student travel for attending national or international meetings that include training, presenting, or professional exchange, including studying abroad. The award is available to HNFE undergraduate and graduate students.

Peacock-Harper Culinary History Friends Scholarships: 
Awarded and adminstered by the Peacock-Harper Culinary History Friends Committee (posted on Scholarship Central), these scholarships honor Janet Cameron and Jean Allen Phillips, who were visionaries, exemplary teachers, passionate about health and nutrition, and dedicated to the success of their students. Applicants must be a graduate student in good standing with the university. Research and interests may include human nutrition and foods, culinary history, food culture, household equipment, kitchen design, social history, ethnic traditions, gender studies, or related topics.  

S.J. Ritchey Endowed Scholarship
Administered through the Center for Gerontology, this scholarship is awarded annually to students enrolled in the Gerontology Graduate Certificate with preference given to certificate students whose research is related to older adult health, nutrition, or physical activity. Applications are available in early spring semester and are usually due in March. For more information, contact Cynthia Booth, 540-231-7657, cgbooth@vt.edu.

Sebolt Fitness/Wellness Research Award


Given in memory of Dr. Don Sebolt, this award recognizes undergraduate or graduate student research related to the health benefits of physical activity/exercise and/or physiological aspects of exercise related to athletic performance or improved human health.  Preference will be given to students who plan a career in exercise science; a health profession such as athletic training, physical therapy, or health coach; or teaching physical fitness in secondary or higher education.

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