The William Applebaum Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually by the society for outstanding graduate student research in food distribution and marketing. This scholarship fund is named after William Applebaum, Chief of Staff, Market Research Division: The Kroger Grocery and Baking Company; Assistant General Manager, Stop & Shop, Inc; and Lecturer on Food Distribution and Comparative Marketing, Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University.

During his lifetime "Bill" Applebaum continually challenged the Food Distribution Research Society to seek improvements in the food industry. As a founder and supporter of FDRS, Bill allowed the society to name its student research awards and fund after him, and he made a substantial contribution to the fund. The first scholarship was awarded in 1978. Bill did not live to see it presented, but his example and leadership have caused other industry leaders to contribute to this tax deductible fund. The fund has been renamed as the William Applebaum Memorial Fund.

Contributions may be made directly to the Food Distribution Research Society. Contributed funds are invested, and scholarships are given each year to outstanding graduate students studying food distribution and marketing. Originally, the award was $500.00. In 1983, the award was increased to $750, and in 1987 it increased again to $1,000. In 1988, there were more changes. An award of $1,000 was specified for the Ph.D. degree level competition, and an award for $500 at the M.S. degree level was initiated. In 1998, the amounts of these two awards were increased to $1,250 for the Ph.D. and $750 for the M.S. levels of competition, and a new award was established at $500 for a Masters level non-thesis paper.

In addition to cash stipends, recipients also receive complimentary student membership to FDRS and are recognized at the FDRS Annual Conference. The recipients’ travel expenses will be paid by the society. The Ph.D. recipient is also invited to present his/her research at the conference.

The Food Distribution Research Society is pleased to accept applications for the 2009 William Applebaum Memorial Scholarship. The competition is open to all graduate students with scholarly interest and career aspirations in the food distribution system. The 2009 William Applebaum Memorial Scholarships are cash stipends of: (1) $1,250 for the best Ph.D. dissertation, (2) $750 for the best M.S. thesis, and (3) $750 for the best M.S. Case Study or Research Paper. In addition to cash stipends, recipients also receive a complimentary student membership to FDRS.

Award recipients will be recognized at the 2009 FDRS Annual Conference scheduled for October 31 - November 4, 2009 at the Omni Interlocken Resort, Broomfield, Colorado, to which their travel expenses will be paid by the society. The Ph.D. recipient is also invited to present his/her research at the conference. Applications should be postmarked by June 1, 2009. For more information and an application form, contact Sayed Saghaian, Vice President of Education, at: ssaghaian@uky.edu

Dr. Sayed Saghaian
Department of Agricultural Economics
314 Charles E. Barnhart Bldg
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546-0276
Phone: 859-257-2356
Fax: 859-323-1913

Scholarship Guidelines
Applebaum PhD Dissertation and MS Thesis Applications
Applebaum Nonthesis Application

2008 William Applebaum Scholarship Award Winners

Past Applebaum Winners