Student Resources: Your Gateway to Hygienic Design Excellence

Featured: Student Hygienic Design Competition

STUDENT SUCCESS SUPPORT: Dr. Ron Schmidt Student Travel Award

Support Your Students' Career Development

Faculty Role in Student Success:

• Identify qualified candidates for scholarship consideration
• Provide recommendation letters and guidance
• Support research poster development
• Facilitate industry networking connections

Program Benefits for Your Students:

• All-expenses-paid Summit on Hygienic Design attendance
• Research presentation platform
• Industry networking opportunities
• Career mentorship connections
• Publication opportunities

How to Support Applications:

• Encourage qualified students to apply
• Provide strong recommendation letters
• Help students connect research to industry needs
• Support poster presentation development

2026 Timeline:

• February 1, 2026: Student Travel Award application deadline
• March 1, 2026: Award winners announced
• May 5-8, 2026: Summit on Hygienic Design, Chicago

Online Training Resources

Hygienic Design Fundamentals - Interactive E-Learning Modules

Introduction to Hygienic Design

• Core principles and industry standards
• Historical development and regulatory framework
• Key terminology and concepts

Surface Design and Materials

• Surface finish requirements and specifications
• Material selection for food contact applications
• Cleaning and sanitizing considerations

Equipment Drainage and Access

• Proper drainage design principles
• Inspection and maintenance access requirements
• Common design flaws and solutions

Sealing and Connections

• Gasket and seal selection criteria
• Pipe connection standards and best practices
• Preventing contamination through proper sealing

Cleaning and Sanitizing Systems

• CIP vs. COP system design
• Chemical compatibility and safety
• Validation and verification procedures

Video Training Library

Advanced Topics for Deeper Learning

Featured Video Series:

• Foundations of Hygienic Design
• Applying 3-A Sanitary Standards and Accepted Practices to Cleaning Out-of-Place
• Hygienic Welding: Quality and Inspection
• Surface Finish in 3-A Sanitary Standards

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Key Dates:

• January 31, 2026: Team Sign-up Deadline for Student Hygienic Design Competition
• February 1, 2026: DRS Student Travel Award application deadline
• March 1, 2026: Student Hygienic Design Competition Team Solution Submissions Due
• March 2, 2026: DRS award winners announced
• May 5-8, 2026: Summit on Hygienic Design, Chicago

Get Started Today

Ready to advance your food safety career?

1. Start our e-learning course Introduction to Hygienic Design
2. Join our mailing list to keep up to date
3. Follow us on LinkedIn for daily industry insights and opportunities