The 2026 Fit to Empower Award application period has closed.

Thank you to everyone who applied! Award recipients will be notified in September 2026.

We believe nutrition education is empowering.

Learn about the Fit to Empower Nutrition Education Award Program and how it supports registered dietitian leaders making an impact in their communities.

Fit to Empower Nutrition Education Award Program

Fit to Empower is a nutrition education award program that supports passionate, registered dietitian leaders in creating a community culture of wellness while advancing access to nutrition education. The 2026 award program will award five winners with $5,000 each to support their proposed program.

Application Period

Deadline: July 26, 2026 at 11:59pm PST.

This date is final and no extensions will be provided. Applications cannot be submitted after the deadline.

Winners will be notified in September 2026.

Eligibility

In order to apply for this program, you must:

  • Live, work, and reside in the United States and be at least 18 years of age

  • Be a registered dietitian (RD) or RD eligible

  • Work in a capacity that improves access to and involves nutrition education for women and girls across the lifespan (including children, teens, adults, or older adults)

  • NOT be an employee or immediate family member (parent, child, sibling and spouse of each, regardless of where they reside) of Danone or FoodMinds/Padilla

  • NOT be a government official and have NO conflicts of interest such as by having a relationship with a Danone competitor, including any sponsorship or employment relationship with a competing yogurt brand

  • NOT have received a Fit to Empower award in 2025

  • Have reviewed and agree to Official Terms

Submission Criteria

The award program submission must:

  • Be budgeted to cost no more than $5,000

  • Be initiated by April 2027

  • Be implemented in the United States

Application Review Process

Each application will be scored on the following:

i. 40% - Initiative’s potential to achieve a sustained positive impact on community health and nutrition

ii. 40% - Initiative’s potential to empower access to nutrition education for women and girls within applicant’s community

iii. 20% - Initiative’s creativity and originality

Finalists will be invited to participate in a brief interview with Danone USA registered dietitians in August, prior to final selection.

Support

  • At any time during the application process, you may save your application and submit at a later date, up until the deadline.

  • You may edit your application after submitting, up until the deadline.