The Judging Jump Start Fund has been created by the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) to provide assistance to educational institutes to start or rebuild meat judging programs with the following requirements:

This is a competitive process, and each interested school will submit an annual application for consideration that is focused on demonstration of unique need. Specifically, AMSA seeks to fund:

1. New programs
2. Revitalizing retired programs
3. Teams that have suffered an emergency loss of funding

Application Process

To apply, interested colleges and universities must submit the following information:

1. Name of institution and contact information
2. Plan for the judging program. A description of the intentions around the judging program
3. History of judging at that institution to include years participated, contests attended, and student participation, if available.
4. How the institution will support the meats judging program including matching opportunities. Support can include faculty or graduate student time, funds, etc.
5. A budget with justification of how funds will be used
6. Plans for development of the program including:
   1. Number of students expected to participate and an outline of future recruitment strategies.
   2. Team must attend 3 contests (2 out of 3 contests must be AMSA hosted.)  AMSA Contests Include: National Western in Honor of R. Paul Clayton, Southwestern, South Plains, National Barrow Show, Eastern National, American Royal, Cargill High Plains, and International. Non-AMSA Contests Include: Beef Empire Days, Iowa State University Meat Judging Contest, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Meat Judging Contest, Southeastern, and the Cyclone Classic Meat Judging Contest.
   3. A description of the coach(es) and oversight of the program to ensure continuity.

Application Requirements

1. Plan for the judging program. A description of the intentions around the judging program
2. History of judging at that institution to include years participated, contests attended, and student participation, if available.
3. How the institution will support the meats judging program including matching opportunities. Support can include faculty or graduate student time, funds, etc.
4. A budget with justification of how funds will be used
5. Plans for development of the program including:
   1. Number of students expected to participate and an outline of future recruitment strategies.
   2. Team must attend 3 contests (2 out of 3 contests must be AMSA hosted. AMSA Contests Include: National Western in Honor of R. Paul Clayton, Southwestern, South Plains, National Barrow Show, Eastern National, American Royal, Cargill High Plains, and International. Non-AMSA Contests Include: Beef Empire Days, Iowa State University Meat Judging Contest, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Meat Judging Contest, Southeastern, and the Cyclone Classic Meat Judging Contest.
   3. A description of the coach(es) and oversight of the program to ensure continuity.