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Continuing & Professional Education Scholarship


The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Continuing & Professional Education Scholarship supports individuals at various stages of their careers – whether currently enrolled in an educational program or actively working in the food, wine, hospitality, viticulture, or broader beverage alcohol industry. Scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 are awarded to support the pursuit of industry-related education, training, credentials, and professional development opportunities.


Eligible uses of funds include tuition, course materials, certifications, and conference or event registration fees. Applicants must outline how the scholarship will support their educational and professional goals. Awards are determined based on the cost of the program and the strength of the application.


Whether attending a professional conference, pursuing a degree or certification, or seeking to expand skills and knowledge to advance their career, recipients gain valuable learning and networking experiences to support long-term growth in the industry.


 

Scholarships open May 1, 2025

Scholarships close July 31, 2025

Recipients notified September 2025



Conferences and events may include any industry events that will assist recipients learning and development. 

 

Examples of such events include, but are in no way limited to:


BREWING

  • Craft Brewers Conference

  • Master Brewers Conference

  • World Brewing Conference

  • Beers With(out) Beards

  • NBWA Annual Convention & Next Generation Conference


WINE

  • Association for African American Vintners

  • Unified Grape & Wine Symposium

  • ProWein

  • Society of Wine Educators

  • Food & Wine Classic

  • Somm Summit

  • Intn’l Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association

  • Wine Media Conference


SPIRITS

  • Tales of the Cocktail

  • Craft Spirits Conference


HOSPITALITY

Vibe Conference



Applicant Eligibility Requirements for Professional & Leadership Development Scholarship:

  • At least 21 years of age.

  • Minimum three years active employment within the food, wine, hospitality, and/or viticulture industries is preferred.

  • Essay (approximately 500 words), the topic of which is listed on the application.

  • One or two letters of recommendation.

  • Completed scholarship application that meets the criteria and includes all required attachments, which must be postmarked or electronically submitted no later than 11:59PM on the application deadline date to be considered for the scholarship.

  • Resume (optional)

  • May not be an owner, officer, director or employee of Women of the Vine & Spirits Alliance, Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, Trellis Concepts LLC, and/or the Foundation.


Examples of courses for tuition assistance include, but are in no way limited to:


  • Fermentation Science

  • Craft Brewing

  • Beer Industry Program

  • Sustainable Brewing

  • Business of Wine Certification

  • Wine Business Management

  • Wine Business MBA

  • MBA in Entrepreneurial Hospitality

  • Business and Sciences in Vineyard & Winery Management (Bordeaux Sciences Agro)

  • International Vintage Master, Master in Vine, Wine and Terroir Management


Examples of such certifications and courses include, but are in no way limited to the following. For those interested in WSET Certifications, please apply directly for the WSET Award Scholarships.


GENERAL LEADERSHIP & BUSINESS

  • DISCUS Industry Fundamentals Certificate Program

  • Public speaking

  • Career development (such as executive coaching)

  • Leadership training (such as communication, soft skills, conflict resolution, etc.)

  • Business management (such as excel, accounting, marketing, etc.)


BEER

  • Brewing Arts Program

  • Craft Beer Business Certificate

  • Brewing Science Certificate or Degree

  • Brewing Sales & Marketing Certificate

  • Fermentation Science & Technology Program

  • Cicerone Beer Certification

  • Siebel Institute Brewing Courses


WINE

  • The California Wine Appellation Specialist

  • SommEssentials

  • Court of Master Sommeliers’

  • Advanced Tasting programs

  • GuildSomm

  • Global MBA Food and Wine - Bologna Business School


SPIRITS

  • Council of Whiskey Masters certifications

  • BAR 5-Day Certification Program

  • Master of Whiskey

  • Master of Scotch



Applicant Eligibility Requirements for Continuing & Professional Education Scholarship

For applicants seeking Tuition-related scholarships:


• At least 18 years of age.

• Enrolled in a minimum of nine credit hours of accredited food, wine, hospitality, viticulture, or other alcohol beverage industry related postsecondary program (i.e. college/ university) for two consecutive semesters or terms and have completed at least one grading term of such program.

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

• Essay (approximately 500 words), the topic of which is listed on the application. • One or two letters of recommendation.

• Complete transcript of grades from your college/secondary school.


For applicants seeking all other industry-related scholarships:


• At least 21 years of age.

• Minimum of three years active employment within the food, wine, hospitality, and/or viticulture industries preferred.

• Essay (approximately 500 words), the topic of which is listed on the application.

• One or two letters of recommendation.

• Resume (optional)



For all applicants:


• Completed and signed scholarship application that meets the criteria and includes all required attachments, which must be postmarked or electronically submitted no later than 11:59PM on the application deadline date to be considered for the scholarship.


• May not be an owner, officer, director or employee of Women of the Vine & Spirits, Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, Trellis Concepts LLC, and/or the Foundation.


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