Annual Conference Equity in Nutrition Travel Award
The Canadian Nutrition Society (CNS) is committed to advancing equity, justice and belongingness and to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all members. CNS supports the Canadian nutrition community in research and practice that engages with and addresses structural determinants and inequities, including barriers to participation in the Society and its events.
Learn more in the CNS Commitment to Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
2027 Awards at a Glance
- Conference: April 29–May 1, 2027, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
- Awards available: Up to 10 awards to support members of equity-deserving groups. Additional awards may be offered if funding becomes available.
- Application deadline: February 1, 2027 at 11:59 a.m. ET.
- How to apply: Through the Annual Conference abstract submission process.
- Award package: Complimentary conference registration plus travel and accommodation support based on distance travelled, as outlined below.
| Distance to Conference | Travel & Accommodation Support |
|---|---|
| 300 km or less | $600 |
| 301–1,000 km | $800 |
| 1,001–4,000 km | $1,000 |
| 4,001 km or more | $1,200 |
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Identify as a member of one or more equity-deserving groups: Black, Indigenous, a Person of Colour (BIPOC), LGBTQ2S+ and/or a person with a disability.
- Meet the student or recent graduate requirement: Be a full-time student in an accredited undergraduate, graduate, professional academic or clinical training program related to nutrition at a Canadian institution, or have received their degree within 8 months of the abstract submission deadline (on or after June 1, 2026). Postdoctoral Fellows who received their degree on or after June 1, 2026 are also eligible. Priority will be given to full-time students enrolled in the accredited programs described above.
- Submit an abstract by February 1, 2027 at 11:59 a.m. ET and have it subsequently accepted for presentation.
- Provide supervisor confirmation that no other sources of travel funding are available.
- Commit to attending the full conference.
- Have not received a CNS Travel and Registration Award between 2022 and 2026.
Late-Breaking/Encore Abstracts
CNS will issue a call for Late-Breaking/Encore abstracts from mid-February to early March. These abstracts will only be eligible for an Equity in Nutrition Travel Award if additional awards remain available after the initial awards have been distributed.
How to Apply
Apply for this award as part of your CNS Annual Conference abstract submission. Prepare the supporting materials below before beginning.
1. Prepare Your Supporting Materials
Supervisor Letter
Provide a signed letter on letterhead from your supervisor confirming that:
- you are a full-time trainee enrolled in a nutrition-related program or received your degree on or after June 1, 2026; and
- you do not have access to other funding to support your conference attendance.
Personal Statement
Provide a personal statement of 300 words or less describing:
- your financial need;
- how attending the conference will benefit your current program of study and/or future career pathway; and
- how the experience may ultimately benefit CNS and/or the field of nutrition.
2. Submit Your Abstract and Select the Award
Submit your abstract by February 1, 2027 at 11:59 a.m. ET.
During abstract submission, select all CNS awards for which you are eligible, including the Equity in Nutrition Travel Award if you wish to be considered.
Complete all award requirements at the time of abstract submission. Upload your supervisor letter and provide your personal statement during the submission process.
How Recipients Are Selected
All abstracts undergo a blind review for conference acceptance and eligibility for applicable CNS abstract awards. Equity in Nutrition Travel Award applications undergo a separate, confidential review by selected CNS member reviewers.
The supervisor letter and personal statement are shared only with reviewers involved in selecting Equity in Nutrition Travel Award recipients.
Application Assessment
Reviewers confirm that applicants meet all eligibility requirements listed above. They assess personal statements using the three criteria outlined in the application instructions: financial need, benefits to the applicant’s studies and/or career, and potential benefits to CNS and/or the field of nutrition.
Selection of Recipients
In identifying recipients, reviewers will strive to select a group that reflects:
- a range of equity-deserving groups, including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), LGBTQ2S+ and/or people with disabilities;
- a range of training levels, including undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees; and
- the various conference streams, including clinical, public health, regulatory and biomedical nutrition.