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National Honors and Awards

The Academy honors individuals who have advanced the nutrition and dietetics profession, exhibited leadership and shown devotion to serving others in both nutrition and dietetics, as well as allied fields. These honors recognize outstanding food and nutrition practitioners and supporters of the profession.

View the Recipients of the 2026 National Honors and Awards

References

How To Submit an Honors Nomination

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Do you know an outstanding role model who has advanced the nutrition and dietetics profession, exhibited leadership and shown devotion to  serving others? If yes, now is the time to submit a nomination for the Academy's National Honors and Awards program.

Deadlines and Requirements for Academy Honors and Awards

Intent to Nominate

Deadline for completing the Intent to Nominate* is 11:59 p.m. Central time on January 15, 2027.

*Completing the "Intent to Nominate" by the deadline is not mandatory, but extremely helpful for the Academy.

Deadline for the receipt of complete nominations is 11:59 p.m. Central time on March 3, 2027.

References

Nominations

Nominations are submitted entirely online and consist of the steps outlined in the bullets below.

The key documents reviewed in the selection process are the cover letter, 3 to 5 letters of support, and the candidate's CV or resume. Selection is based on the thoroughness with which the key documents illustrate how the candidate meets all of the established qualifications for the honor or award. Refer to the Award-Specific Qualifications and Scoring Criteria.

  • Visit the online nominations portal and login or create an account to submit the "Intent to Nominate" form.
  • A reminder will go out to all those who submitted an Intent to Nominate form when the nominations portal opens for applications on February 1, 2027.

  • Visit the online nominations portal, which opens February 1, 2027.
  • Choose the type of honor or award.
  • Provide the name of the candidate.
  • Complete the candidate's contact information.
  • Confirm the nominator's contact information and Academy member ID number.
  • If applicable, provide the name of the affiliate dietetic organization, DPG, or MIG supporting the nomination. There can be more than one group supporting the candidate.

Cover Letter

  • Introduce the candidate and identify the nominating group(s) or person(s). 10 pages maximum.
  • Address how he/she meets the honor or award qualifications.
  • Provide a summary for each qualification listed.
  • Make a clear distinction between professional (paid) and volunteer activities.
  • Do not assume that the Honors Committee is familiar with the candidate and his/her background or qualifications for the honor or award.

3-5 Letters of Support

  • The letters should address how the candidate meets the qualifications for the honor or award.
  • No current members involved in the selection process for an honor or award including the Board of Directors may provide a letter of support for Academy honors and awards nominations. Academy Staff may not write letters of support for National Honors and Awards nominees.

Candidate's Vitae or Resume

  • Include a curriculum vitae or a resume to provide additional information on the candidate. 25 pages maximum.

Selected Samples of the Candidate's Work (if applicable)

  • Choose supporting materials that directly identify the candidate's contributions relevant to the award qualifications.

  • Confirm that all key documents are uploaded.
  • The Honors Committee will consider only those nomination packets submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time on March 3, 2027.

Notification and Selection

  • Nominators will receive e-mail notification from Academy's Honors and Awards Program confirming receipt of the nomination.
  • Honors and awards recipients and nominators will be notified electronically following the Academy's Board of Directors meeting in May 2027 as to the candidate's status.
  • No member of the Board of Directors may at the time of honors and awards selection and/or presentation be eligible to receive an Academy honor or award. This includes those on the ballot for the following year; if a Board nominee is elected, he/she is not eligible for an award. Members of the Academy and Foundation Boards of Directors are eligible to receive a national Academy honor or award after three (3) years upon completing their term of service, with the exception of the public member who may be eligible immediately after completing their term of office.

If you have any questions, please email us.

References

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