Student Chapters
IFT Student Association (IFTSA) Chapters are officially IFT‑recognized campus organizations or clubs that bring their local food science community to life supporting networking, competitions, leadership development, and community building.
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Find International and Domestic Student Chapters
Explore and engage with Student Chapters. Use the directory below to find active chapters and reach out directly to chapter leaders.
International Student Chapters
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Carleton University |
National University of Singapore |
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Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral |
Stellenbosch University |
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Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey – Campus Querétaro |
Universidad San Francisco de Quito – USFQ |
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McGill University |
Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola – USIL |
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Middle East Technical University (Turkey) |
University of Alberta |
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Carleton University |
University of British Columbia |
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Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral |
University of Guelph |
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Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey – Campus Querétaro |
University of Manitoba |
Domestic Student Chapters
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Alabama A&M University |
North Dakota State University |
University of Idaho/Washington State University |
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Brigham Young University |
Ohio State University |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
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Cal Poly SLO |
Oklahoma State University |
University of Kentucky |
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California Polytechnic State University – SLO |
Oregon State University |
University of Maine |
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California State Polytechnic University, Pomona |
Purdue University |
University of Maryland |
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California State University, Fresno |
Rutgers University |
University of Massachusetts Amherst |
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California State University, Long Beach |
San Jose State University |
University of Minnesota |
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California State University, Northridge |
South Dakota State University |
University of Missouri-Columbia |
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Chapman University |
Texas A&M University |
University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
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Clemson University |
Texas Tech University |
University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez |
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Cornell University |
The Pennsylvania State University |
University of Rhode Island |
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Delaware Valley University |
UC Davis |
University of Tennessee Knoxville |
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Florida A&M University |
University of Arizona |
University of Wisconsin–Madison |
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Illinois Institute of Technology |
University of Arkansas |
Utah State University |
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Iowa State University |
University of Central Oklahoma |
Virginia Tech |
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Kansas State University |
University of Cincinnati |
Washington State University |
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Louisiana State University |
University of Connecticut |
West Virginia University |
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Michigan State University |
University of Delaware |
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Mississippi State University |
University of Florida |
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North Carolina State University |
University of Georgia |
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Become a Student Chapter
Clubs or associations at accredited colleges and universities are eligible to become official IFT Student Association (IFTSA) Chapters. As an IFTSA Chapter, your organization gains access to valuable online resources, competitions, and networking opportunities.
To qualify as an IFTSA Chapter, your club must meet the following requirements:
- All club officers are active IFT student members.
- At least one faculty advisor is a current IFT member.
- The club has been established for at least one year and has held a minimum of three (3) announced meetings during that time.
- The club is officially recognized as a campus organization by your college or university.
- The club has formal, documented bylaws.
Your club must prepare a petition letter that includes:
- The names and IFT membership numbers of all officers and faculty advisors.
- The founding date of your organization on campus.
- The dates of your last three meetings.
- The signature of at least one faculty member.
Once complete, submit your petition letter along with a copy of your organization’s bylaws to the IFT Staff Liaison, Stephanie Walaszek.
📝 Submit all required materials
Your club submits the petition letter and bylaws.
📞 The VP of Chapter Engagement schedules a meeting
You’ll meet to share more about your club and confirm eligibility.
🗳️ IFTSA Student Board of Directors reviews and votes on your petition
The Board determines whether to recommend your club for chapter status.
✔️ Recommendation sent to the IFT Board of Directors
If approved by IFTSA, your petition is forwarded to the IFT Board of Directors.
Final approval depends on meeting schedules for both boards. The IFT Board of Directors can only approve in November, March, June, or August.
All IFTSA Chapters must submit the following yearly updates:
- Chapter Renewal Form (due in August) which confirms that:
- All club officers are current IFT student members
- At least one faculty advisor is an IFT member
- Chapter Health Survey 1 (due in January)
- Chapter Health Survey 2 (due in May)
Chapters that do not meet these expectations for consecutive years may be terminated.
Terminated chapters must reapply for approval from both the IFTSA Board of Directors and the IFT Board of Directors before they can regain official IFTSA Chapter status.
[IFTSA] made us feel included despite being a new chapter, giving us the opportunity to attend workshops and apply for event grants.
The access to networking opportunities and professional development materials has been incredibly beneficial.
IFTSA has communicated well about competitions, which has helped our chapter to be able to participate in all they have to offer.
Apply for a Chapter Event Grant
Review the rules and guidelines to determine your eligibility and understand all application criteria.
Student groups are encouraged to apply for funding to support special events that might otherwise be cost prohibitive. A minimum of six (6) grants of up to $250 each (between $50 to $250 USD) will be awarded annually. Grant recipients will be recognized in the IFTSA Student Lounge at IFT FIRST.
A. The student group must be an official IFTSA Chapter and complete the minimum Chapter requirements.
B. Chapter officers must be IFT student members in good standing.
C. Faculty advisor must be an IFT member in good standing for the current academic year.
D. There must be proof of matching funds from another source/partner.
Application deadlines will occur in four cycles:
October 1, 2026
November 1, 2026
February 1, 2027
April 1, 2027
Provide a description of the event with the elements below.
A. General Information
Chapter Name: name of your IFTSA Chapter or student group.
Event Title: The name of the event for which you are seeking funding.
Contact Information of Chapter President, Event Coordinator (if different) and Faculty Advisor
B. Event Description: Provide a detailed description of the event (maximum 750 words). Include the following elements:
Event Objectives: Clearly state the purpose and goals of the event. Include how it aligns with the IFTSA strategic objectives to prepare the future and celebrate the community.
Audience: Define the target audience (e.g., students, faculty, industry professionals, etc.) and estimate the expected number of participants.
Event Format: Describe the format of the event (e.g., workshops, networking, panel discussions, etc.); provide an agenda, if available.
Outcomes: Describe the anticipated outcomes of this event and how it will benefit the participants and your IFTSA Chapter.
C. Budget
Budget Breakdown: Provide an estimate of expenses for the event. Note which costs the grant will cover and explain additional funding source(s) that will match the funds provided by IFTSA.
D. Other Supporting Materials
Marketing Plan: Outline how the event will be promoted to ensure maximum participation. Also indicate how IFTSA logo and sponsorship will be incorporated in your event.
Partnerships: If you are partnering with other organizations, clubs, departments, or companies list them and explain their role in the event. Identify the partner/source that is providing matching funds. If selected, you may be asked by IFT Staff to provide further proof of matching funds.
A committee, led by the IFTSA Office of the President and designated IFT staff members, will review and score applications. Applicants will be notified of their status by the date outlined in the schedule.
Applications will be assessed based on the following rubric:
| Criteria | Description | Weight |
| Alignment with IFTSA Mission | The event effectively embodies IFTSA’s mission to prepare the future and celebrate the community by growing student network connections and advancing professional aptitude to enable career success. | 30% |
| Clarity of Event Objectives | Objectives are clearly aligned to address a specific need or opportunity within the IFTA Chapter or student community. | 30% |
| Impact on IFTSA Chapter and Participants |
The event engages a meaningful number of targeted students and will have a lasting impact on the chapter, participants, and the broader IFT/IFTSA community. | 20% |
| Feasibility of Budget and Proof of Matching Funds |
The proposed budget is clear and realistic. There is proof of matching funds from another source. | 20% |
Grant recipients are required to submit a post-event report within 30 days of the event's conclusion.
The report should include (maximum 500 words):
A. Event Summary: A brief description of the event, including attendance and feedback.
B. Photos and Media: Include at least three photos or media from the event. One photo must showcase the IFTSA logo in marketing/event materials.
C. Impact: Describe how the event met its objectives and contributed to the chapter and student community.
By submitting these materials, the recipient agrees that IFTSA has the right to use photos and event information for social media purposes (LinkedIn, Instagram) and other IFTSA promotional materials.