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Awards

Family and Consumer Sciences professionals play an important role in supporting individuals, families, and communities through education, outreach, and research. Each year, AAFCS recognizes these amazing individuals for their hard work and dedication through our achievement awards. Additionally, AAFCS supports individuals, families, and communities through grant supported research and program development.

Looking for AAFCS Grants?

AAFCS offers grants that support scientific inquiry, validate and advance the FCS Body of Knowledge, and address important societal challenges in Family and Consumer Sciences.

Open Through 10/15:
Distinguished Service Award

Coming Soon:

Undergraduate Scholarship
Jewell Taylor Scholarship

Graduate Fellowships
Myrna Crabtree Fellowship
Mildred Davis Fellowship
Dye-Leverton Fellowship
Hazel Putnam Roach Fellowship
Inez Radell Fellowship
Ellen Richards Memorial Fellowship
Jewell Taylor Fellowship

Awards
Elevate FCS
Leader Award
New Achiever Award
Post-Secondary Educator of the Year (NEW)
Teacher of the Year (TOY)

Community-Sponsored Awards
Betsy Norum Award
ESAE Membership Incentive Award

Opening January 2027
All-Star Affiliate
Lifetime Legacy (NEW)

Undergraduate Scholarship

The Taylor Scholarship was established through a generous bequest from Jewell L. Taylor, a dedicated family and consumer sciences professional for more than 50 years. She held positions as a county home demonstration agent and utility home economist, continuing her interest in AAFCS until her death. A $5,000 scholarship and up to $1,000 of support for one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS Annual Conference will be awarded to no more than one (1) qualified undergraduate student pursuing a degree in family and consumer sciences.

Graduate Fellowships

The Myrna Crabtree Fellowship was established through a generous bequest from Dr. Myrna P. Crabtree who taught classes in human development and held workshops to help teachers meet the needs of the local population. This fellowship is awarded to a graduate student for up to $1,500 of support for one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS Annual Conference and for $350 toward an AAFCS Certification.

The Mildred B. Davis Graduate Fellowship was established in memory of Mildred by an anonymous donor. Mildred B. Davis was assistant professor and coordinator of continuing education for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1972-82) and field service coordinator and director of program and field services for AAFCS (1965-72). This $3,500 fellowship supports a student who is in their final year of their four-year undergraduate program and who plans to pursue graduate studies in the following year. Preference is given to students who plan to major in nutrition at the graduate level.

The Dye-Leverton Graduate Fellowship was created in memory of Marie Dye and Ruth Leverton. Marie served as Dean of the College of Home Economics at Michigan State University from 1926-1956. Ruth was a renowned nutrition research scientist and two-time winner (1942, 1953) of the prestigious Borden Award for outstanding research in nutrition or experimental foods. This is a $5,000 fellowship and up to $1,000 of support for one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS Annual Conference will be awarded to a qualified graduate student pursuing a degree in family and consumer sciences.

The Hazel Putnam Roach Graduate Fellowship was created in the memory of Hazel Putnam Roach who served as a field secretary for AHEA, now AAFCS, and was director of home economics education in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This $3,500 fellowship supports a graduate student who is majoring in a family and consumer sciences content area at a regionally or nationally accredited institution.

The Inez Radell Graduate Fellowship was initiated by Inez, a family and consumer sciences professor at New York University. This $3,500 fellowship supports a graduate student pursuing a degree in design, construction, or marketing of apparel for aging or handicapped adults. The recipient must have earned an undergraduate degree in clothing, art, merchandising, business, or a related content field.

The Ellen H. Richards Memorial Graduate Fellowship was established to honor the professions founder and first president, Ellen H. Swallow Richards. Ellen was the first female graduate and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an activist for consumer education, nutrition, child protection, industrial safety, public health, career education, women's rights, purity of air, food, and water, and the application of scientific and management principles to the family. This $5,000 fellowship includes up to $1,000 of support for one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS Annual Conference, and will be awarded to a graduate student majoring in a family and consumer sciences content area with an emphasis in administration.

The Taylor Fellowship was established through a generous bequest from Jewell L. Taylor, a dedicated family and consumer sciences professional for more than 50 years. She held positions as a county home demonstration agent and utility home economist, continuing her interest in AAFCS until her death. A $5,000 fellowship and up to $1,000 of support for one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS Annual Conference will be awarded to a qualified graduate students pursuing a degree in family and consumer sciences.

Awards

The DSA was established by the American Home Economics Association (AHEA) Foundation in 1979 as a living tribute to members of AHEA (now AAFCS) to recognize superior achievements in FCS, outstanding contributions to the FCS profession, and sustained association leadership at both state and national levels.

The AAFCS Elevate FCS Award is designed to recognize and celebrate individuals, organizations, communities, programs, and supporters who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to elevating the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) profession.

The Leader Award identifies and honors family and consumer sciences professionals who have made significant contributions to the field through their involvement with AAFCS.

The New Achiever Award identifies and honors emerging family and consumer sciences professionals who have exhibited the potential to make significant contributions to the field through their involvement with AAFCS.

The AAFCS National Post-Secondary Educator of the Year award was established in 2026 to recognize exemplary post-secondary educators who demonstrate excellence in Family and Consumer Sciences teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level through innovative instruction, student-centered learning, and meaningful contributions to student success within higher education.

The National Teacher of the Year Award recognizes exemplary teachers who utilize cutting-edge methods, techniques and activities to provide stimulus and visibility to family and consumer sciences in elementary and secondary education.

Community-Sponsored Awards

This subsidy is offered to give a financial boost to such a student. This subsidy has been given annually since 1995 in memory of Betsy Norum, Minnesota, National Home and Community (now Community of Lifelong Professionals) Chair, 1968-70.

This award supports one year of AAFCS membership. A total of ten membership reimbursements will be awarded. This award is given by the Elementary, Secondary, Adult Education (ESAE) Community of the AAFCS.

Opening January 2027

The AAFCS All-Star Affiliate Award was introduced in 2026 and recognized Affiliates who have demonstrated good governance and their commitment to FCS and their affiliate membership.

The AAFCS Lifetime Legacy Award was introduced in 2026 and is designed to recognize and celebrate AAFCS members whose sustained involvement has shaped AAFCS and the profession.

History

Explore the recipients of past awards, scholarships, and grants.

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