Opportunities for Students

The Research Chefs Association places great value on education.

Students are the future of our profession, and we are excited to meet and support future Culinology® professionals.

• Membership: Membership in RCA is available to students enrolled at a culinary college or university. If you are studying Culinology, culinary arts, food science, or food studies, RCA is the place for you! Membership is just $35 annually.
• Scholarships: Financial assistance in the form of scholarships is available to qualified students pursuing higher learning opportunities in Culinology, culinary arts, and food science. Scholarships are awarded through RCA's charitable and educational arm, the Culinology Scholarship Foundation. See below for more information about the 2025 scholarship opportunities.

2025 Scholarship Opportunities

Presented by the
Culinology Scholarship Foundation

Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Scholarships

The Culinology Scholarship Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2025 scholarship program. Applications are open now through February 7, 2025, for students interested in the Michele Block Memorial Scholarship and Tyson Foods Scholarship.

Click below to learn more about the eligibility requirements, timeline, and materials necessary to complete the application. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the 2025 RCA Annual Conference.

Learn More

Michele Block
Memorial Scholarship

The Michele Block Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Michele Block.

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

The 2025 Michele Block Memorial Scholarship will award a $1,000 academic scholarship plus a $500 travel stipend to attend the RCA Annual Conference, March 18-20, 2025, in St. Louis. Applications are being accepted through February 7, 2025.

Apply Now

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 2025 Tyson Foods Scholarship will provide financial assistance in the form of a $1,000 scholarship for qualified students enrolled or accepted 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.

Applications are being accepted through February 7, 2025.

Apply Now

Past Scholarships

Bill "Pops" Hahne Memorial Scholarship

The Bill "Pops" Hahne Memorial Scholarship Fund was initiated in March 2008 to honor the many contributions of Bill Hahne to the Research Chefs Association. Known fondly as "Pops" among the RCA community, Hahne was a founding member of the association and served the RCA in various leadership roles, including president, treasurer, and long-time board member. In addition, he helped to establish the Culinology Education Foundation and served as director for many years after its inception in 2002.

Black Boar Truffle Student Scholarship

The Black Boar Truffle Student Scholarship was created in February 2022. Black Boar Truffle offers Kosher certified, culinary-ready, versatile, easy to use, flavor-enhancing truffle products, affordable and readily accessible for commercial kitchens, manufacturers, and everyday home. The company holds students in high regard, recognizing the future of outstanding product development and innovation rests with talented students within RCA.

New England Region Culinology Scholarship

The New England Region of the RCA (NERCA) provided a scholarship specifically for the New England region, as a way to acknowledge the academic pursuit of students studying culinary arts and food science and their goals to encompass Culinology within their future goals in the food industry. The scholarships were awarded to RCA student members on the merits of academic achievement and focus on Culinology and food science in undergraduate or graduate studies at a New England school or university.