CDCES
Important News
The 2026 CDCES Scholarship Program application window is NOW OPEN until May 15. Please note that CBDCE will be going through a website relaunch in mid-April, so the site may be down for some time in that month.
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Scholarship Program Overview
CBDCE has established a scholarship program to support the journey of health professionals in the specialty and to encourage diversity in the pool of health professionals holding the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credential.
Individuals chosen as scholarship recipients are provided with an opportunity to take the practice examination at no cost and apply for the Certification Examination for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists one time at no cost. Individuals have 1 year from the date of the award to make use of the award and will need to document meeting all current eligibility requirements for initial certification at the time of application for the Examination. The current value of each scholarship is $405.
Five categories have been established across a wide range. Between twenty and forty scholarships will be awarded in any given year.
Individuals may apply for more than one category but can only be awarded a maximum of one scholarship in any given year. Applications must be submitted separately for each category. The scholarship program is for individuals who have not yet applied for initial certification. Apply today!
Individuals chosen as scholarship recipients are provided with an opportunity to take the practice examination at no cost and apply for the Certification Examination for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists one time at no cost. Individuals have 1 year from the date of the award to make use of the award and will need to document meeting all current eligibility requirements for initial certification at the time of application for the Examination. The current value of each scholarship is $405.
Five categories have been established across a wide range. Between twenty and forty scholarships will be awarded in any given year.
Individuals may apply for more than one category but can only be awarded a maximum of one scholarship in any given year. Applications must be submitted separately for each category. The scholarship program is for individuals who have not yet applied for initial certification. Apply today!
CDCES Scholarship Program
Scholarship recipients can take the practice exam & apply for the Certification Examination for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists one time at no cost (valued at $405)
Scholarship Categories:
Scholarship Categories:
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Profession Expansion
- Veterans & Active Military Service
- Young Professional Under 30
- Under-Resourced Population
Categories
Diversity & Inclusion
Includes health professionals that reflect any one of many aspects of diversity within the current certified population, including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, LGBTQIA+ community, men, and individuals with disabilities. Primary criteria: Individual self-identifies by applying under this category. Provides letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague.
Profession Expansion
Includes health professionals that reflect any one of many aspects of diversity within the current certified population, including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, LGBTQIA+ community, men, and individuals with disabilities. Primary criteria: Individual self-identifies by applying under this category. Provides letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague. Visit the discipline requirement page for more information.
Veterans & Active Military Service
Includes health professionals that reflect any one of many aspects of diversity within the current certified population, including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, LGBTQIA+ community, men, and individuals with disabilities. Primary criteria: Individual self-identifies by applying under this category. Provides letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague.
For veterans or those in military service, provide proof of military service by one of the following:
-Proof of military service forms: DD form 214 or DD Form 215: Veterans
-Military ID Card: Active Duty, Retiree, National Guard, Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve
-Veterans ID Card
-Veterans designation on driver's license or state veterans ID card
For health professionals serving veterans or those holding active military status:
Provides a letter from their supervisor that verifies meeting this requirement.
Young Professional, under 30
Includes health professionals that reflect any one of many aspects of diversity within the current certified population, including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, LGBTQIA+ community, men, and individuals with disabilities. Primary criteria: Individual self-identifies by applying under this category. Provides letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague. Provides proof of birthday, e.g., birth certificate, drivers license; and proof of qualifying license, registration, or degree for the standard pathway or UQP candidate. Visit the discipline requirement page for more information. Also provides letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague.
Under-Resourced Population
Includes health professionals that reflect any one of many aspects of diversity within the current certified population, including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, LGBTQIA+ community, men, and individuals with disabilities. Primary criteria: Individual self-identifies by applying under this category. Provides letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague. Provides statement from supervisor verifying applicant is working with an under-resourced population AND letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague. Undert-resourced populations are those that receive fewer health care services, encounter barriers to accessing primary health care services (e.g., economic, cultural, and/or linguistic); have a lack of familiarity with the health care delivery system; and face a shortage of readily available providers.
Prepare
Applications for the 2026 Scholarship Award Program will be accepted from March 15 - May 15, 2026 (closes 5pm Central Time).
Before applying, have your letter of recommendation from supervisor or colleague ready to upload, along with any other documents as identified in the specific scholarship category.
All applicants will also need to answer these two questions as part of the application - maximum 150 word count each:
- What are your career goals and how will obtaining the CDCES credential help you to achieve them?
- What experiences in your life or career have been influential in your chosen goal choice?
Apply
2026 CDCES Scholarship Award Application
CBDCE recommends completing the application form on a desktop/laptop. Using a mobile phone or tablet to complete the form may not provide the best experience.
Scholarship Winners
2024 Winners
| Scholarship Recipient | City, State |
|---|---|
| Reshma Ahmed, RN, BSN, PhD, BVSc & AH, AHN-BC | Beaverton, OR |
| Annette Aljets, MS, RDN, LD Pomeroy, IA | Pomeroy, IA |
| Zorana Alu Acol, RN | North Las Vegas, NV |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
2023 Winners
| Scholarship Recipient | City, State |
|---|---|
| Reshma Ahmed, RN, BSN, PhD, BVSc & AH, AHN-BC | Beaverton, OR |
| Annette Aljets, MS, RDN, LD Pomeroy, IA | Pomeroy, IA |
| Zorana Alu Acol, RN | North Las Vegas, NV |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
2022 Winners
| Scholarship Recipient | City, State |
|---|---|
| Reshma Ahmed, RN, BSN, PhD, BVSc & AH, AHN-BC | Beaverton, OR |
| Annette Aljets, MS, RDN, LD Pomeroy, IA | Pomeroy, IA |
| Zorana Alu Acol, RN | North Las Vegas, NV |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
| Firstname Lastname, RN | Chicago, IL |
scholarship testimonials
"Thank you to the CBDCE Board and Awards Committee for being selected as one of the 2021 CDCES Scholarship recipients! I sat for the CDCES exam and passed! Through attaining the CDCES credential, I have been able to expand the depth of my knowledge of diabetes care and education. I am excited to continue to work in the diabetes field and serving the underserved in our community."