Virginia Schafer created this endowment in honor of her mother, Margaret Nicholson Schafer. Margaret believed deeply in the importance of education, especially for women, as a means of achieving economic and spiritual independence. She was also actively interested in the field of nutrition and in Washington State University. Awards will provide fellowship stipends to a graduate student enrolled in a research-based program in food science or nutrition. Preference to students working on projects related to nutrition and functional foods with the goal of developing healthy and sustainable foods.