Scholarship Opportunities

The Research Chefs Association and our charitable and educational arm, the Culinology Scholarship Foundation, invite applicants for student scholarships. The 2026 application will open in the fall of 2025.


 

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 Michele Block Memorial Scholarship recognizes an outstanding applicant with a $1,000 academic scholarship plus a $500 travel stipend to attend the RCA Annual Conference.

Past Scholarships

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 provided 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 was given to RCA-approved Culinology degree program students and/or those pursuing a degree with a meat science emphasis.

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.