The Daphne Zepos Research Award (DZRA) is an annual scholarship given to food industry professionals to further their learning—and their ability to educate others—about cheese. It’s named in honor of Daphne Zepos, one of America’s most inspiring cheese teachers.

Click here to read Daphne’s Vision.

Yes. The Daphne Zepos Teaching Award (DZTA), our larger $6,800 annual scholarship is given to a food industry professionals to further their learning —and their ability to educate others—about cheese, specifically through traveling. The DZTA application season runs concurrently with the DZRA application season.

There is only one requirement for DZRA eligibility: the recipient must have worked in the food industry for at least three of the past six years.

The DZRA scholarship is $2,900.

The recipient must submit a research plan and a request for funds to board of directors for approval (provide a step-by-step outline of how the research will be conducted).

The board of directors of the Daphne Zepos Teaching Endowment.

They’re seeking a compelling vision from someone who wants to make a lasting educational impact in the cheese world. They’re looking for someone who can make the most of the funds. They’re looking for a proven track record of getting things done.

Apply again! A number of our award recipients applied two, three, or four times before receiving the award. After the award is announced, each applicant receives detailed anonymous feedback from the board about their submission and is invited to discuss this feedback with our administrative team and Advisory Committee, if desired. This feedback can be very helpful in honing and growing your project.