Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Scholarships

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. (the “Foundation”) provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping women advance their careers in the food, wine, spirits, brewing, hospitality, or viticulture industries through education, leadership, and professional development, as well as fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. For questions about scholarships please contact Executive Director, Tara Davey for more information.

The Foundation plans to offer scholarships this year in the following four categories:

1. Professional & Leadership Development Scholarships (Up to $2,000)
2. Student Educational Scholarships ($500 to $5,000)
3. Continuing Education Scholarships ($500 to $5,000)
4. WSET Scholarships ($300 to $7,500)
5. Executive Leadership & Developing Leadership Program Scholarships to attend DISCUS Academy (Applications Closed)

(Applications for additional scholarship categories for Master Sommelier, Masters of Wine, Elizabeth Smyth Student, and Fuel Your Dreams, apply HERE)
 

Applications Open: February 1, 2022

Application Deadline: June 30, 2022

Scholarships Awarded:  September 13, 2022

Professional & Leadership Development Scholarships

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Professional & Leadership Development Scholarship awards recipients with up to $2,000 to attend a professional conference or industry event to allow the recipient the opportunity for additional exposure to ongoing professional development, learning and networking opportunities. Funds can be used to pay for the event registration fee, travel up to $700, and lodging for up to 3 nights. Reimbursement will be made upon submission of receipts.

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:

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.

Apply Now

Student Educational Scholarship

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Student Education Scholarship awards students enrolled in an accredited food, wine, hospitality, viticulture or other alcohol beverage industry related postsecondary program (four-year college, community college or vocational/technical college) with $500 to $5,000 to be used toward their tuition, course materials, lodging, and related educational expenses. One or more student education scholarships may be awarded each year, and the amount will be based on the cost of the program (which should be outlined in the application) and application score. 

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

Applicant Eligibility Requirements for Student Scholarship:

• 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.
• 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.

Apply Now

Continuing Education Scholarships

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Continuing Education Scholarship awards individuals working in the food, wine, hospitality, and/or viticulture industries industry with $500 to $5,000 to be used toward gaining industry related credentials or training, professional development, experience or knowledge to advance their career.

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

Applicant Eligibility Requirements for Continuing Education Scholarship:

• 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)
• 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.

Apply Now

WSET Certification Scholarships

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation WSET Certification Scholarship, as part of our partnership with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), awards recipients with $300 to $7,500 scholarships to be used toward WSET Certification course fees. The mutual partnership aims to improve the visibility of progression paths and opportunities for women in the wine and spirits industry. Please note, those who receive scholarships for WSET Levels 1-2 Awards in Wines and Levels 1-2 Awards in Spirits from the Foundation are not eligible to take their courses with WOTVS, but can take these qualifications at another APP.

WSET Award Levels

Applicant Eligibility Requirements for WSET Scholarship:

• Must be legal drinking age in your country.
• Essay (typed, double-spaced, approximately 500 words), the topic of which is listed on the application.
• One or two letters of recommendation.
• 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.

Apply Now

View Complete Scholarship Program Details

NOTE:  Applications for the Women Behind the Wine Scholarships in the following categories can be found HERE

• Master Sommelier Scholarship
• Masters of Wine Scholarship
• Elizabeth Smyth Student Scholarship
• Fuel Your Dreams Scholarship

Executive Leadership Program to attend DISCUS Academy

Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) Foundation 501(c)3 is pleased to offer three (3) Executive Leadership Program Scholarships and (2) Developing Leadership Program Scholarships to attend DISCUS Academy. Both Leadership Programs are an eight-month commitment consisting of virtual and in-person elements.

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation could not provide these scholarship opportunities without the generous support of Corporate Members, Beam Suntory and Breakthru Beverage Group. For the second year in a row, Beam Suntory is graciously funding three scholarships for The Executive Leadership Program. Breakthru Beverage Group is generously funding two scholarships for The Developing Leadership Program. All scholarships include full funding of all program components, with the exception of travel.

The Executive Leadership Program is designed for experienced spirits professionals with at least 5-7 years of management experience, during which they have demonstrated responsibility for cross-functional leadership and/or strategy-level decision-making in the distilled spirits industry. The Certificate will build upon the student’s leadership skills and develop the professional’s ability to communicate strategy, negotiate skillfully and influence team behaviors and deliver results. Program Components detailed below. 

The Developing Leadership Program is designed for any professional with an interest in growing their leadership skills. This program will transform early-stage managers into true leaders, by learning your leadership style, developing interpersonal skills, and understanding how to build and manage a high-performance team. Entrepreneurs, new managers and employees with limited management experience are encouraged to apply. Program Components detailed below. 

These scholarships are open to members and non-members of WOTVS as well as members and non-members of DISCUS. DISCUS Academy has set the criteria for selection of recipients and selection of the recipients will be made by DISCUS Academy. Applicants will be chosen based on their demonstrated leadership potential, initiative and commitment to the industry. Participants should be prepared to engage in self-reflection and introspective work required by this course and be prepared to put their leadership commitment into action following the program. The Leadership Certificate will use a selection process that maximizes diversity of the participant cohort.

Applications Open: November 1, 2021

Application Deadline: January 20, 2022 (by 11:59 PM PST)

Scholarships Awarded: February 2022

Apply for Executive Leadership Program

Apply for Developing Leadership Program

The Executive Leadership Program is designed for experienced spirits professionals with at least 5-7 years of management experience, during which they have demonstrated responsibility for cross-functional leadership and/or strategy-level decision-making in the distilled spirits industry. The Certificate will build upon the student’s leadership skills and develop the professional’s ability to communicate strategy, influence team behaviors and deliver results. The program will ensure that students have the right blend of soft skills and strategic mindset to achieve performance outcomes at their company. Participation in this program is not contingent upon completing the Developing Leadership Program. 

The Developing Leadership Program is designed for any professional with an interest in growing their leadership skills. This program will transform early-stage managers into true leaders, by learning your leadership style, developing interpersonal skills, and understanding how to build and manage a high-performance team. Entrepreneurs, new managers and employees with limited management experience are encouraged to apply.

View Important Scholarship Program Details