The Foundation invites North American graduate students in viticulture and enology to apply for funding.
January 22, 2026 (Lovettsville, VA) — The American Wine Society Educational Foundation (AWSEF) announces that the application period for its 2026 academic scholarships is now open. The foundation is accepting submissions from full-time graduate students pursuing degrees in enology, viticulture, or the health aspects of wine who intend to work in the industry upon graduation.
Eligible applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of North America (U.S., Canada, or Mexico) currently enrolled in a graduate program leading to an M.S., Ph.D., or equivalent at a North American institution. The deadline to submit all required materials is March 31, 2026.
The AWSEF is dedicated to supporting educational and research activities that advance viticultural and enological sciences. Since 1995, the foundation has awarded $576,000 in scholarships to 185 students across 25 different universities.
“Supporting their efforts is central to our mission,” said Kristen Lindelow, President of the AWSEF, noting that the foundation is consistently inspired by the “caliber of research being done by these emerging leaders” in addressing challenges such as climate resilience and disease management.
To apply, students must submit an online application form that includes their official academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a 750-word essay detailing the importance of their research project to the wine industry and their professional goals.
How to Apply: Detailed instructions and the application portal are available online at awsef.org/scholarships/application.
To learn more about the application process or to donate to future scholarships, visit www.awsef.org.
About the American Wine Society Educational Foundation
The American Wine Society Educational Foundation (AWSEF) is a non-profit organization with a mission to support educational and research activities that will advance the viticultural and enological sciences to achieve a world-class North American wine industry. Decisions regarding awards are made by the Scholarship Committee and are final.
