GSSI-ACSM Young Scholar Professional Development Grant supports attendance at the ACSM Annual Meeting and additional professional development for students in the fields of sports nutrition or exercise physiology.  

In addition to the award, winners will receive complementary registration to ACSM Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to meet with a GSSI scientist to discuss research interests and receive career advice.  

GSSI and ACSM are committed to supporting diversity and female representation in sports science and nutrition. At least one of the two awards will be given to a female and/or diverse applicant from a group that is underrepresented in the sciences (previously defined by NIH in NOT-OD-20-031):  

1. • Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander. 

1. • Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.  

• • Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria: 
    • Were or currently are homeless, 
    • Were or currently are in the foster care system, 

1. 1. • Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years, 

• • • Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree,  
    • Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants,  
    • Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child, or  
    • Grew up in one of the following areas: a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer or b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas.  
  • Women from the above backgrounds (First three bullets).  

Eligibility: 

• Applicants must be an ACSM national member in good standing before applying and registered for the ACSM Annual Meeting. ACSM chapter membership alone does not fulfill this requirement.  

• Open to undergraduate and masters students enrolled in full-time programs in sports nutrition or exercise physiology with a 3.0 GPA or higher.  

• Previous recipients of the GSSI-ACSM Young Scholar Professional Development Grant are not eligible to apply. 

Award Requirements:   

• Winners must attend the ACSM Annual Meeting Honors event to be recognized for receiving the award. One complimentary ticket will be provided. 

Please contact the ACSM Foundation with questions regarding this award.