SCHOLARSHIP Categories

To see current offerings, click here.

Fermenta Continuing Education Opportunities

Education is one of the tenets of Fermenta’s mission. To further the advancement of women in the Michigan fermented craft beverage industries, Fermenta awards continuing education opportunities in the fields of craft beer, artisan spirits, mead, wine, kombucha, cider, and fermented foods.

The opportunities are awarded to introduce women to, or further educate women within, these fields.

These opportunities are awarded to Fermenta members who identify as female and have a passionate interest in a fermented craft beverage topic or desires to advance their fermented craft beverage career through educational seminars, programs, or certifications.

Since the inception of the Scholarship Committee in September 2015, Fermenta has awarded over $16,000 to its members through a wide range of offerings.

Categories & their qualifications and requirements:

1. Entry Level: These women want an introduction to a specific topic of interest to better understand if they want to pursue further study or a future career.

Entry Level Qualifications & Requirements

You must identify as female and be a current Active Fermenta member.
Applications must be received by midnight of the deadline listed.
Only one application per member per opportunity will be accepted.
In order to allow more members to benefit, the committee will give preference to applicants who have not been awarded a scholarship in this category in the previous 12 month period. Within 12 months, you are still eligible to win multiple scholarships, as long as each scholarship is in a unique category.
Scholarships not used within 12 months of receipt will be forfeit.
Recipients must provide feedback of the experience to Fermenta in the form of a written report, online blog, photo album, in-person presentation, or other mutually agreed upon format.
Rights to publish such report and photographs of the winner are granted to Fermenta.
Board Members and Scholarship Committee Members are ineligible to win.
While looking at applications, members of the Scholarship Committee do not see the name of the applicant.

2. Continuing Education: This level serves women who are industry professionals or advanced enthusiasts looking to enhance their knowledge of a particular industry or industry topic. These courses or seminars are most likely described as advanced or require some prior experience and or basic knowledge of the particular industry.

Continuing Education Qualifications & Requirements

You must identify as female and be a current Active Fermenta member.
Applications must be received by the deadline listed.
Only one application per member per opportunity will be accepted.
Scholarships not used within 12 months of receipt will be forfeit.
Recipients must provide feedback of the experience to Fermenta in the form of a written report, online blog, photo album, in-person presentation, or other mutually agreed upon format.
Rights to publish such report and photographs of the winner are granted to Fermenta.
Board Members and Scholarship Committee Members are ineligible to win.
While looking at applications, members of the Scholarship Committee do not see the name of the applicant.

3. Diversity Education: This level serves women who are industry professionals or enthusiasts and BIPOC (Bertie Brown scholarship), and non-BIPOC women who are seeking to grow their understand and education in areas related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Diversity Education Qualifications & Requirements

You must identify as female and be a current Active Fermenta member.
To apply for the Bertie Brown scholarship, must be BIPOC.
Applications must be received by the deadline listed.
Only one application per member per opportunity will be accepted.
Scholarships not used within 12 months of receipt will be forfeit.
Recipients must provide feedback of the experience to Fermenta in the form of a written report, online blog, photo album, in-person presentation, or other mutually agreed upon format.
Rights to publish such report and photographs of the winner are granted to Fermenta.
Board Members and Scholarship Committee Members are ineligible to win.
While looking at applications, members of the Scholarship Committee do not see the name of the applicant.

4. Conferences/Certifications/Professional Memberships: This category serves women who are looking to specialize in, or be certified in, a specific industry topic. These women are most likely working in the fermented craft beverage industry who require an extensive knowledge of their product. These conferences, certifications, and/or professional memberships would help them advance in their current job or career.

Certifications & Conferences Qualifications & Requirements

You must identify as female and be a current Active Fermenta member.
Applications must be received by the deadline listed.
Only one application per member per opportunity will be accepted.
In order to allow more members to benefit, the committee will give preference to applicants who have not been awarded a scholarship in this category in the previous 12 month period. Within 12 months, you are still eligible to win multiple scholarships, as long as each scholarship is in a unique category.
Scholarships not used within 12 months of receipt will be forfeit.
Recipients must provide feedback of the experience to Fermenta in the form of a written report, online blog, photo album, in-person presentation, or other mutually agreed upon format.
Rights to publish such report and photographs of the winner are granted to Fermenta.
Board Members and Scholarship Committee Members are ineligible to win.
While looking at applications, members of the Scholarship Committee do not see the name of the applicant.