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Apply for a Chapter Event Grant
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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, 2025
November 1, 2025
February 1, 2026
April 1, 2026
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.
Get inspired by past winning chapters!
Louisiana State University Food Science Club
Led an educational tour of Louisiana’s crawfish industry with visits to local processing facilities and the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.
Iowa State University Food Science Club
Organized a spring break industry tour to Louisville, KY, where students explored nine food companies and connected with the local culture.
Cornell University Food Science Club
Hosted the Food Innovation Challenge, a two-week competition where students created healthier baked products using sponsor-provided ingredients.
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