High schools across the country have until September 24 to apply for a $5,000 grant aimed at launching or expanding ProStart® culinary arts and restaurant management programs. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and The Rachael Ray Foundation are jointly offering the 2026 Rachael Ray ProStart Grow Grants™, with awards to be announced in late October.
Funding can be directed toward equipment purchases, classroom enhancements, student certifications, and curriculum resources — giving educators meaningful flexibility to address their programs' most pressing needs. Both existing ProStart schools seeking to deepen their offerings and schools interested in starting a program from scratch are eligible to apply.
Seven Years, $1 Million
Since the grant program launched in 2019, the NRAEF and Rachael Ray Foundation have awarded more than $1 million through 153 grants to schools nationwide — a track record that underscores sustained, growing investment in secondary culinary education. For restaurant and foodservice operators tracking workforce pipelines, ProStart represents a critical on-ramp: the program delivers more than 400 hours of practical work experience alongside certifications and access to apprenticeship and scholarship opportunities.
"ProStart educators are inspiring the next generation of restaurant and hospitality professionals by connecting classroom instruction with hands-on industry experiences that bring career opportunities to life," said Michelle Korsmo, CEO of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. "The Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants help educators expand those experiences and equip students with the skills, confidence, and industry exposure needed to explore rewarding careers in the nation's second largest private employer."
Rachael Ray echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the program's strength rests with its educators. "It is a bridge between high school students and the many career paths that span the restaurant, hospitality and foodservice industry," she said. "We are always so excited to support these programs with the resources they need to invest in the next generation of industry professionals."
Why Operators Should Pay Attention
The restaurant and foodservice industry is the nation's second-largest employer, offering more than 2,000 unique career pathways across more than 70 vocations. Workforce shortages remain a persistent pressure point across segments, making secondary pipeline programs like ProStart increasingly valuable to operators planning long-term staffing strategy. Industry leaders following culinary education and hospitality workforce trends can view ProStart as a measurable feeder system — one that is now better funded than at any point in its history.
Educators and school administrators can learn more and submit applications at chooserestaurants.org/programs/scholarships-grants/rachael-ray-prostart-grow-grant/. Applications opened August 18, and the deadline is September 24, 2026. This story was reported with support from Food & Beverage Magazine.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
