Awards, Stipends, & Grants

IDEA Stipend Application 2024-2025
The application is due on September 20, 2024!

 

For the DIFM IDEA Stipend, four $250 Diversity Stipends will be awarded: one for RDN/NDTR professional member and three for DPD student or dietetic intern members. Award winners may be chosen to be a featured member on the DIFM website or participate in an interview with the hosts of DIFM’s Integrative IDEAs in Nutrition Podcast. The DIFM IDEA Committee also invites the winners to join the committee in raising IDEA awareness within DIFM and the field of dietetics.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Active DIFM Members who are RD/RDNs, NDTRs, Dietetic Interns, or Students enrolled in an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Coordinated Program

  2. Those who work with or intend to work with a diverse clientele and use or intend to use an integrative nutrition approach. Nutrition in Integrative and Functional Medicine (NIFM)

*Current members of the DIFM Executive Committee and Leadership Team are not eligible to apply.

*Past winners are eligible to win only once every 3 years.

How to Apply

All applicants must submit a personal statement, CV/resume and completed Applicant Information Form to diversity.difm@gmail.com by Sep 20th 2024

  1. Personal statement (maximum 500 words) explaining your background and interest in integrative and functional medical nutrition therapy (IFMNT) with a diverse community. Please address the following in your statement:

    • Please share a lived experiences that could help you in IFMNT

    • Why does this community or population matter to you?

    • What changes do you hope to make with IFMNT within your target audience?

    • How will this award help you to promote IFMNT to your target audience?

  2. Current CV/resume

  3. Complete Applicant Information Form below 

If you have any questions, please contact us at diversity.difm@gmail.com. 

IDEA_Stipend_Application 2024 2025.pdf







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2024 Excellence Award Recipients


Lifetime Achievement Award
Sudha Raj, PhD, RDN, FAND

The purpose of this award is to recognize a DIFM member whose contributions over their lifetime have advanced the principles and practices of integrative and functional medicine and nutrition. This award will honor one who has “made a difference” in education and professional development, furthered professional opportunities and advancement for nutrition and dietetics practitioners and has demonstrated excellence as evidenced by work that is innovative, creative, and recognized as exemplary by professional peers.


Excellence in Service Award
Melissa Groves Azzaro, BS, RD

The Excellence in Service Award honors individuals who have shown exemplary leadership and service within DIFM DPG. They are recognized as leaders in the profession for their efforts in promoting dietetics professionals engaged in integrative, functional, and holistic medicine, nutritional genomics, whole foods, dietary supplements, and/or natural healing modalities.


Excellence in Practice Award
Chrissy Barth, MS, RYT, RDN


The Excellence in Practice award recognizes an individual DIFM DPG member who has demonstrated exceptional skills and unwavering commitment in the practice of integrative and functional nutrition, encompassing nutritional genomics, whole foods, dietary supplements, and/or natural healing modalities.

 


Outstanding Student Award
Rifqa Dacloush, MBA, BA, BS

Outstanding Student award recognizes an individual student who has demonstrated extraordinary skills and commitment in the practice of integrative and functional nutrition including nutritional genomics, whole foods, dietary supplements, and/or natural healing modalities. Award was based on volunteering and service related to integrative and functional nutrition, leadership, GPA, awards, and participation in research, teaching and/or mentoring. 

Outstanding Student Award

Application Deadline: spring 2025

  1. PURPOSE
    1. To recognize an individual student who has demonstrated extraordinary skills and commitment in the practice of integrative and functional nutrition including nutritional genomics, whole foods, dietary supplements, and/or natural healing modalities. Nominees for this award will be considered based on: volunteering and service related to integrative and functional nutrition, leadership, GPA, awards, and participation in research, teaching and/or mentoring.
    2. $500 awarded to chosen recipient.

  2. ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIRED CRITERIA
    All active student members in good standing with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and DIFM DPG are eligible. Exempt members include the following: previous winners of the Outstanding Student Award and any current DIFM Executive Committee member (or currently on ballot for elected office). Required criteria include the following:

    1. Academy member for at least 1 year
    2. DIFM member for at least 1 year
    3. Must attend a college or university with an ACEND approved nutrition program
    4. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
    5. Two letters of recommendation – one letter from a faculty member and one from a DIFM member
    6. Personal statement that demonstrates leadership skills (250-500 words)
    7. Demonstrates active interest in integrative and functional medicine/nutrition including school projects, writing projects, presentations, leadership, volunteer and/or work experience

  3. OPTIONAL CRITERIA
    1. Published author in peer reviewed journal or book
    2. Research contributor (completed work)
    3. Media contributor
    4. Advanced education degree or credential/certification in integrative/functional nutrition
    5. Awards- student, community, etc.
    6. Awardee is willing to volunteer on a committee for DIFM based on his/her preference/interest/availability

  4. PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS
    1. Nominations for the Outstanding Student Award can be submitted by any member of DIFM. Members are encouraged to nominate qualified students and/or self-nominate.
    2. Whether nominating a student or self-nominating, the following documents must be submitted for the nominee to the Nominating Committee by TBD spring 2025
      • Award application form
      • Resume or Curriculum vitae (CV)
      • Two letters of recommendation
      • Transcript (to verify GPA; can be unofficial copy)
      • Personal statement (250-500 words)
    3. Application documents are reviewed by the Nominating Committee and selection will be made by TBD spring 2025
    4. . The nominee with the highest score will be selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Student Award.
    5. The award recipient will be notified by email and announced in the DIFM newsletter, The Integrative RDN, the DIFM Website and social media outlets. Recognition will also be given at DIFM’s annual FNCE events.

  5. TO APPLY OR NOMINATE
    1. Completed applications are accepted through TBD spring 2025
    2. Please submit the
      • Award Application Form
      • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) (5-page limit)
      • Two letters of recommendation
      • Transcript
      • Personal statement

Questions, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee at DIFMNOMCOM@gmail.com:

  • Nominating Committee Chair, Sue Ellen Anderson-Haynes
  • Nominating Committee Chair, Rima Kleiner
  • Nominating Committee Member, Chrissy Barth

Excellence in Service Award

Application Deadline: spring 2025- TBD

  1. PURPOSE
    1. To recognize an individual who has demonstrated leadership and service as a member of DIFM DPG, is a leader in the profession, and has worked toward the promotion of dietetics professionals involved in integrative, functional and holistic medicine, nutritional genomics, whole foods, dietary supplements, and/or natural healing modalities.
    2. $500 awarded to chosen recipient.

  2. ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIRED CRITERIA
    All active members in good standing with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and DIFM DPG are eligible. Exempt members include the following: previous winners of the Excellence in Service Award and any current DIFM Executive Committee member (or currently on ballot for DIFM elected office). Required criteria include the following:

    1. Academy and DIFM member for a minimum of 5 years
    2. RDN for a minimum of 10 years
    3. One professional letter of recommendation
    4. Demonstrated excellence in service, as evidenced by DIFM leadership/volunteerism (elected or appointed positions), and/or by leadership/volunteerism in other Academy positions
    5. Contributed to the advancement of DIFM and to the profession by supporting DIFM initiatives, and advocating for the integrative and functional dietetics practitioner.

  3. OPTIONAL CRITERIA
    1. Founding member of NCC/DIFM
    2. Precepting/mentoring experience
    3. Teaching/educating experience
    4. CPE presenter in integrative and functional nutrition
    5. Volunteer/public service to promote nutrition
    6. Published author or editor on integrative and functional medicine topic (e.g. DIFM newsletter, journal, book)
    7. Research contributor (completed work)
    8. Media contributor
    9. Professional awards
    10. Fellow of the Academy
    11. Advanced education degree or credential/certification in integrative/functional nutrition

  4. PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS
    1. Nominations for the Excellence in Service Award can be submitted by any member of DIFM. Members are encouraged to nominate qualified peers and/or self-nominate.
    2. Whether nominating a student or self-nominating, the following documents must be submitted for the nominee to the Nominating Committee by spring 2025- TBD:
      • Award application form
      • Curriculum vitae (CV)
      • One letter of recommendation
    3. Application documents are reviewed by the Nominating Committee and selection will be made byspring 2025- TBD. The nominee with the highest score will be selected as the recipient of the Excellence in Service Award.
    4. The award recipient will be notified by email and announced in the DIFM newsletter, The Integrative RDN, the DIFM Website and social media outlets. Recognition will also be given at DIFM’s annual FNCE events.

  5. TO APPLY OR NOMINATE
    1. Completed applications are accepted through spring 2025- TBD
    2. Please submit the
      • Award Application Form
      • Curriculum Vitae (CV) (5-page limit)
      • One letter of recommendation

Apply Here

Questions, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee at DIFMNOMCOM@gmail.com:

  • Nominating Committee Chair, Sue Ellen Anderson-Haynes
  • Nominating Committee Chair, Rima Kleiner
  • Nominating Committee Member, Chrissy Barth

 

Excellence in Practice Award

Application Deadline: TBD spring 2025

  1. PURPOSE
    1. To recognize an individual DIFM DPG member who has demonstrated extraordinary skills and commitment in the practice of integrative and functional nutrition including nutritional genomics, whole foods, dietary supplements, and/or natural healing modalities. Nominees will be considered for this award based on: active participation and leadership in DIFM DPG, promotion of DIFM DPG outside the practice group, involvement in other dietetic organizations that promote the registered dietitian in integrative and functional nutrition practice, and / or contributions to research in the area of integrative and functional nutrition.
    2. $500 awarded to chosen recipient.

  2. ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIRED CRITERIA
    All active members in good standing with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and DIFM DPG are eligible. Exempt members include the following: previous winners of the Excellence in Practice Award and any current DIFM Executive Committee member (or currently on ballot for DIFM elected office). Required criteria include the following:

    1. Academy and DIFM member for a minimum of 5 years
    2. RDN for a minimum of 10 years
    3. One professional letter of recommendation
    4. Demonstrated excellence in practice, as evidenced by work that is innovative, creative, and recognized as exemplary by professional peers
    5. Currently practicing clinical integrative and functional nutrition

  3. OPTIONAL CRITERIA
    1. Founding member of NCC/DIFM
    2. Leadership/volunteerism in DIFM or Academy (elected or appointed positions)
    3. Precepting/mentoring experience
    4. Teaching/educating experience
    5. CPE presenter in integrative and functional nutrition
    6. Volunteer/public service to promote nutrition
    7. Published author or editor on integrative and functional medicine topic (e.g. DIFM newsletter, journal, book)
    8. Research contributor (completed work)
    9. Media contributor
    10. Advanced education degree or credential/certification in integrative/functional nutrition
    11. Fellow of the Academy
    12. Professional awards

  4. PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS
    1. Nominations for the Excellence in Practice Award can be submitted by any member of DIFM. Members are encouraged to nominate qualified peers and/or self nominate.
    2. Whether nominating a student or self-nominating, the following documents must be submitted for the nominee to the Nominating Committee byTBD spring 2025
      • Award application form
      • Curriculum vitae (CV)
      • One letter of recommendation
    3. Application documents are reviewed by the Nominating Committee and selection will be made by TBD spring 2025. The nominee with the highest score will be selected as the recipient of the Excellence in Practice Award.
    4. The award recipient will be notified by email and announced in the DIFM newsletter, The Integrative RDN, the DIFM Website and social media outlets. Recognition will also be given at DIFM’s annual FNCE events.

  5. TO APPLY OR NOMINATE
    1. Completed applications are accepted through TBD spring 2025
    2. Please submit the
      • Award Application Form
      • Curriculum Vitae (CV) (5-page limit)
      • One letter of recommendation

Apply Here

Questions, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee at DIFMNOMCOM@gmail.com:

  • Nominating Committee Chair, Sue Ellen Anderson-Haynes
  • Nominating Committee Chair, Rima Kleiner
  • Nominating Committee Member, Chrissy Barth