The Zoo Nutrition Foundation (ZNF) secures funding and provides guidance to support the next generation of exotic animal nutritionists, with the intent of fostering and enhancing the health and wellbeing of animals in managed care. At ZNF, our commitment to animals matches your own passion.  We are a non-profit, tax-exempt foundation devoted to obtaining funding and mentoring future exotic animal nutritionists.

 

The inclusion of an animal nutrition professional on a zoo’s staff represents a commitment to the best animal welfare, increased operational efficiency, and appropriate management of the financial resources to feed the animal collection.  The Sue Crissey Animal Nutrition Residency Fund (SCARF) grant program couples cutting edge zoos with nutrition professionals and the next generation of zoo nutritionists.  The SCARF grant was established in 2006 to acknowledge and honor the significant impact that Sue Crissey had on the field of zoo nutrition during her 15 years of service at Brookfield Zoo. Please see below for details on the program, how it can benefit your institution, and the call for proposal questionnaire.

Best Regards

ZNF Board of Directors

President Barbara Henry, MS, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Vice President Mike Maslanka, MS, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Treasurer Ann Ward, MS, Fort Worth Zoo

Liz Koutsos, PhD, Enviroflight

Mark Edwards, PhD, California Polytechnic State University

Kibby Treiber, PhD, Feed the Wild Nutrition, LLC

Bill Sadler, PhD, Sadler’s Natural Solutions

Amanda Ardente, DVM, PhD, Ardente Veterinary Nutrition LLC

 

The Zoo Nutrition Foundation is excited to announce a call for proposal questionnaires for the Sue Crissey Animal Nutrition Residency Fund (SCARF) Grant. The purpose of the proposal questionnaire submission is:

• Provide a review of the overall goals of the SCARF grant, the application process, and institutional requirements
• Encourage institutions to contact ZNF with questions about the grant or how their institution may qualify for the grant or how hiring a SCARF resident once they have completed their training can benefit their institution.
• Determine the candidates meeting the minimum requirements, qualified to submit final proposals

SCARF GRANT

The Sue Crissey Animal Nutrition Residency Fund Grant (SCARF) is available to those qualified AZA institutions which meet the minimum requirements outlined below.  The grant is to support the training and development of the zoo nutrition professionals of tomorrow. These professionals will need both a strong educational background in animal nutrition as well as the skills required to manage a multifaceted nutrition program within AZA institutions.  The residency program is intended to give qualified candidates the opportunity to develop these skills prior to full employment within an AZA institution. The grant will provide $35,000/year for two years for a total of $70,000 to a qualified host institution. The qualified host institution will be required to fund additional costs, including benefits associated with those two years of employment and travel associated with cultivation of the resident specifically to the ZNF/AZA Nutrition Advisory Group conference where they are expected to present  Please be advised this is a training program and is not intended to provide a nutritionist to an institution without one.

The SCARF Grant is a competitive grant.  A panel representing the interests of the ZNF, the NAG and the animal nutrition field will review all grant applications.  A grant award will be given to the institution demonstrating the best resources and ability to train a resident.  Institutions with members on the panel are not eligible to receive the grant.  The grant panel will comprise 3 ZNF Board members, 1 NAG steering committee member appointed by the NAG steering committee, and 1 industry professional.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Please complete the proposal questionnaire below and return to Barbara Henry at [email protected] by 3 February 2026.
• From the proposal questionnaires due by 3 February 2026, ZNF will select qualified candidates and communicate status by 5 February 2026.
• Contact ZNF via [email protected] with questions
• Final full proposals from qualified institutional candidates will be due to ZNF by 5 March 2026.
• Interviews of qualified institutions will commence on 17 March 2026.
• Selection of SCARF Grant awardee institution will be communicated by 14 April 2026.

_______________________________________________________________________

SCARF PROPOSAL QUESTIONAIRE (minimum AZA Nutrition Program Requirements for consideration of Grant Application):

ANSWERS TO THESE THREE QUESTIONS ARE DUE BY 3 FEBRUARY 2026.

Are you an AZA accredited facility?

 

 

Do you have an established Nutrition Program (3 years minimum)?

 

 

Do you have a full time nutrition program professional with an advanced degree, responsible for ongoing and maintenance of the program evidenced by: a proven track record of training and education of zoo nutrition professionals, full active membership in the NAG and significant demonstrated experience as a full time zoo nutritionist directing a comprehensive program that includes the elements described in the full application materials?

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________

Sue Crissey Nutrition Resident Fund (SCARF) Grant Full Application

 

SCARF was established in 2006 to acknowledge and honor the significant impact that Sue Crissey had on the field of zoo nutrition during her 15 years of service at Brookfield Zoo. In 2012, the administration of the SCARF fund was transferred to the Zoo Nutrition Foundation (ZNF).  The goal of the Fund continues to be the support of residencies in nutritional studies that will improve the welfare of animals in zoos and aquariums.

 

Institutional Application for the SCARF Grant

 

The SCARF Grant is available to those qualified AZA institutions which meet the minimum requirements outlined below.  The grant is to support the training and development of the zoo nutrition professionals of tomorrow. The residency program is intended to give qualified candidates the opportunity to develop these skills prior to full employment within an AZA institution. The grant will provide $35,000/year for two years for a total of $70,000. The host institution is required to augment the scarf grant with regard to benefits and salary to the level appropriate used for other professionals within their institution with equivalent training and education. Additionally, the host institution will fund travel associated with professional development of the resident both years including travel to conferences.

 

The SCARF final application consists of the following sections:

 

– Letter of intent

– Section A: Nutrition program administrator

– Section B: Nutrition program description

– Section C: Unique program

– Section D: Residency program requirements

– Section E:  Grant amount

– Section F: ZWNF participation/recognition

– Appendix A.  Laboratory Analysis

– Appendix B. Contributions to the field of Zoo Nutrition

 

SECTION A:         NUTRITION PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

 

1. Name and title of nutrition program administrator.

 

Name: __________________________________

 

Title:   __________________________________

 

Please attach Curriculum Vitae including publications and job description.

 

1. To whom does this person report?

 

Name:  __________________________________

 

Title:    __________________________________

 

Please submit a flowchart illustrating how Nutrition fits into the institutional hierarchy.

 

 

 

1. Level of responsibility, please check all that apply

 

Diet Formulation:

 

___ Formulates all collection animal diets (or oversees formulation of)

___ Formulates diets for a portion of the animal collection,

please list the orders responsible for:

_______________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________

___ Prepares and distributes diet records (or oversees this process)

 

Commissary Management:

 

___ Responsible for all commissary operations including but not limited to:

• Staff supervision, evaluation and training
• Feed evaluation, purchase, and storage
• Animal diet preparation
• Coordination of food transfer to animal areas

___ Not responsible for commissary operations, but oversees programmatic

aspects such as choice of animal food.

___ Not responsible for any aspect of commissary operations

___ Responsible for facility management including, but not limited to

• Oversight of maintenance
• Oversight of safety and security

___ Not responsible for facility management

___ Responsible for the management of on-site feed and/or forage storage  (On

institution grounds, not commissary)

___ Responsible for off-site feed and/or forage storage (not on institution

grounds)

 

Nutrition Research:

 

___ Does all nutrition research for the institution

___ Responsible for the oversight of all nutrition research done by the institution.

___ Participates in nutrition research done by the institution

___ Coordinates nutrition research with other institutions

___ Does not participate or do any nutrition research

 

Nutrition Records:

 

___ Responsible for nutrition records (or the oversight of this process)

___ Responsible for the oversight of diet intake data collection

___ Not responsible for nutrition records

 

 

Budget:

___ Check the aspects of nutrition program budgets you are responsible for:

___ Animal Food

___ Food preparation equipment and supplies

___ Food storage supplies

___ Personnel

___ Laboratory

___ Quality control analysis

___ Research budget

 

Laboratory:

____Responsible for laboratory operations (or oversees laboratory operations) and has ability to train.  Describe operations on site.

____Institution does not have laboratory on site

All applicants fill out Appendix A.

 

Contributions to the field of zoo nutrition: All applicants fill out appendix B.

SECTION B:  NUTRITION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

 

             For each of the following program elements, please attach a complete description of how these elements are handled at your institution and the person/title responsible for each and how the resident would be receiving training in these areas.

 

1. Diet Formulation
2. Diet Implementation
3. Diet Updates – describe process in place to insure on going diet review/evaluation and implementation of changes.
4. Diet Preparation
5. Food Purchasing
6. Commissary Operations
7. Quality Control Program
8. Nutrition Research
9. Nutrition Program Budget
10. Laboratory operations/Appendix A

 

SECTION C:  UNIQUE PROGRAM

 

            Please attach a description of any unique program element that you believe sets your institution apart from others and will provide an additional level of training over and above what the resident will receive at another institution.

 

SECTION D: RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

 

            Below are the skills the resident is required to be trained in by the completion of the program.    Please review the requirements.  The signature of the Institution Director (or equivalent) at the completion of this section acknowledges that your institution is aware of the obligation to provide training in all areas listed either through your institution or by partnering with another AZA accredited institution or University. The awarded institution with be required to sign a final contract.

 

 

• Formulate, monitor, and evaluate diets of all animals in the Zoo using the best information available on:

1. a) Natural feeding ecology
2. b) Requirements of model domestic animals
3. c) Probable exotic animal requirements
4. d) Animal intake data meeting biological requirements and providing for

optimal animal health, well-being, and reproduction

1. e) Foods available
2. f) Husbandry considerations, including environmental enhancement
3. g) Application of data from physiological samples

 

• Plan and manage all aspects of commissary operations including setting product, nutrient, and manufacturing specifications, approving vendors, products, and purchases as well as writing, approving, and accepting proposals and contracts to:
  1. Provide high quality food and feed items for all collection animals
  2. Procure these items at competitive prices
  3. Provide items that have been properly stored and processed
  4. Decrease food waste where possible
  5. Provide correct diets in appropriate quantities
  6. Test diet formulations for animal acceptability and conformation to specifications
  7. Maintain proper quality control of food and feed items
  8. Food service sanitation

 

• Increase knowledge of nutritional requirements of diverse animal species by designing and conducting studies, advising, publishing, and presenting papers on zoo nutrition research:
  1. Develop research skills including problem solving, collecting and analyzing data
  2. Utilize the animal collection for research
  3. Understand and conduct, when appropriate, studies with model species
  4. Learn application of field research by participating in field projects when possible
  5. Establish cooperative research projects

 

• Establish and critically review laboratory practices.

1. a) Learn value and practical limits of setting up a laboratory
2. b) Understand methods of laboratory analysis including appropriate analyses and limitations
3. c) Perform analyses where possible
4. d) Maintain quality control of procedures, validate work
5. e) Critically review and utilize offsite laboratory resources when necessary

 

• Plan for and manage department staff and resources
  1. Schedule job assignments
  2. Provide training and development
  3. Gain experience in managing staff and students including coaching and performance evaluations
  4. Develop and manage budgets

 

6) Build cooperative relationships/teams

1. a) Work with animal managers and keepers
2. b) Work with other disciplines within the zoo (veterinarians, behaviorists,

researchers, curators, endocrinologists, etc.)

1. c) Build relationships outside the zoo (local universities, hospitals, other professionals)

 

7) Represent the Zoo before other zoos, conservation societies, professional

and educational organizations, and federal and state agencies to present

the Zoo’s position on nutrition in a well-informed, positive, responsive

manner.

1. Write articles and make presentations to those bodies as requested
2. Actively pursue exchanges of information
3. Present at a ZWNF/NAG conference
4. Attend CNS
5. Serve as or assist a TAG/SPP nutrition advisor
6. Participate on the SCARF fund raiser committee
7. Participate in NAG subcommittees or projects

 

8) Assist with job procurement.

 

9) Provide the ZNF a written update report, every 6 months per contract

 

Signature:  ______________________________

Title:          ______________________________   Date:  ________________________

SECTION E: GRANT AMOUNT $70,000.00

 

The SCARF grant is intended to assist institutions with the costs associated with adequately training nutrition professionals.  Institutions must agree to the following for grant consideration.  The initials of the Institution Director (or equivalent) are required for each item listed in this section.

 

• Postgraduate salary – $35,000/year for the first two years will be provided through the SCARF grant. The host institution will augment the SCARF grant to provide additional salary plus benefits appropriate for other institutional professionals with equivalent training and education..

Year 1 & 2:  Institution Benefits Augment:   $  ________________/year

______  Director Initials

• Travel to appropriate conferences, research sites or defined training opportunities must be covered by the host training institution. The candidate should attend the ZNF/NAG Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, Comparative Nutrition Society Conference, and AZA Annual Conference at least once. The recommended travel provided by the institution is $2,000 per year for – professional meetings, research sites or defined training opportunities by the resident

_____  Director initials

 

• Residents cannot be laid off until the completion of the 2nd year of the residency program. Institutions that choose to lay off a resident prior to the end of the residency period will be required to return all SCARF funds regardless of when the layoffs occur.  The reason(s) for terminations must be reported to the President of the ZNF Board (Barbara Henry).

 

_____ Director initials

SECTION F: ZNF FOUNDATION INVOLVEMENT/RECOGNITION

 

In addition to providing funding, ZNF will be involved in residency program by:

• BOD participation in the resident selection/hiring process. Select members of the BOD will visit with the top 2 candidates selected by the host institution to provide another perspective.  The choice of the resident is the responsibility of the host institution, does not require ZNF approval.
• BOD participation in the resident review process. The host institution will share performance reviews with ZNF.  Additionally, select members of the BOD will meet with the resident virtually 1-2 times a year to review progress and follow up with the host institution nutritionist.
• ZNF is a resource to the host institution and the resident. The BOD has several years of experience training nutritional professionals as well as the history of zoo nutrition and the current state of zoo nutrition.
• ZNF must be recognized in all presentations, media, publications and social media posts associated with the activities of the resident.

 

APPENDIX A: LABORATORY ANALYSIS

If your institution has a laboratory, please specify below.

• List equipment in laboratory
• List analyses conducted
• Describe laboratory analysis quality control
• List laboratories, address and contact information for the analysis not conducted on site
• Provide a description of your plan to train the resident in laboratory operations

 

Please complete this section if your institution does not have an in-house laboratory.

• List laboratories, address and contact information
• What criteria do you use to select laboratory for use
• Provide a description of your plan to train the resident in laboratory operations

 

APPENDIX B: CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIELD OF ZOO NUTRITION

• Provide specific examples of how you routinely participate in furthering the field of zoo and wildlife nutrition.
• What have you as an applicant started, supported, and helped to develop for the good of the field?

 

Please feel free to add any additional information you would like the SCARF grant review panel to consider during review of the application.

 

NOTE: Applications should be submitted electronically or via standard U.S. mail by 5 March 2026 to:  Barbara Henry, ZNF president, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45220 or [email protected].

 

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