The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) opened the application process for its 2016 merit-based scholarships. Awards range from $1,750 to $10,000, and are available for students as well as educators interested in advancing their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry.

Scholarship applications will be accepted between December 17 and June 7, with some exceptions, including the David R. Parsley Endowed Scholarship Fund for Supply Chain Management, which has a deadline of March 29. To apply as well as access additional information on available scholarships, visit the program’s website.

Student scholarships are awarded for postsecondary study in a variety of industry specialty areas, including culinary arts, business and entrepreneurship, marketing, restaurant and foodservice management, supply chain management, viticulture and hospitality, travel and tourism. Criteria for applications include school records, letters of recommendation and essay responses to questions. School and state-specific scholarships are available, as well as a scholarship for students with disabilities.

Educator scholarships cover expenses to attend the NRAEF’s Summer Institutes, week-long workshops that give culinary-focused educators cutting-edge culinary arts skills they can apply to their classrooms. “The restaurant and foodservice industry employs 14 million people and will need to fill 1.7 million new jobs in the next decade,” says Rob Gifford, executive vice president, strategic operations and philanthropy for the National Restaurant Association and NRAEF. “The NRAEF’s scholarship program helps to ensure that students learn the knowledge and skills needed to pursue the long-term, rewarding careers available in this high-growth industry.”