The Brewers Association (BA) is proud to fund grants in support of BA member breweries. Supporting research that aligns with member priorities ensures a sustainable and profitable future for U.S. small and independent breweries.
Craft Beer Research and Service Grants
Craft Beer Research Grant Award Summaries
The Brewers Association (BA) accepts research and service grant proposals annually.
Proposals for 2024 funding will be accepted from March 1 – May 31, 2023. Please contact the Technical Department for additional information. Please note, in fiscal year 2023 no research projects were funded due to continued resource limitations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding availability for fiscal year 2024 research grants remains uncertain. This information is intended to communicate transparency surrounding the BA’s financial status and is not meant to discourage individuals from applying.
Since 2015, over 90 projects have been funded by the BA, amounting to a total investment of more than $2 million. In 2020, 13 grants were funded, totaling almost $400,000.
Funding priorities include hop and barley research, draught beer quality studies, and sustainability related projects, however all projects will be considered for funding. In recent years BA funding supported research and service grants for public barley and hop variety development, hop disease and hop aroma, as well as supporting affiliated national and state-level grower organizations. Projects which appeal to more than one area in particular are welcome. For example, development of hop or barley grower best practice guidance, based on resource use analysis to improve sustainable growth.
Sustainability priorities include (but are not limited to):
- Understand best practices and payback in hop and barley production which enhance soil sequestration of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
- Innovate packaging materials, including reduction of plastic, materials collection or recycling, and/or reusable containers that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs)
- Benchmark malt house water and energy utility intensity rates
- Develop new materials and compare the quality outcomes of hops packaged and stored in recyclable alternatives to Mylar foils over time
- Study climate resiliency of North American hop and barley production, especially as crops broaden and diversify into minor growing regions, and breeding efforts that address climate adaptation
- Research environmentally safe alternatives to current clean in place chemicals commonly used in the brewing industry
- Identify area(s) of efficiency improvements for small scale carbon dioxide recovery and direct air capture
Supply Chain priorities include (but are not limited to):
Barley and Malt
- Breed two-row winter and spring and/or facultative barley varieties for all-malt brewing
- Develop barley varieties to address abiotic stressors related to climate extremes within temperature and precipitation
- Address beer quality and brewing challenges related to abiotic stresses in malted barley such as preharvest sprout, head scab, and leaf diseases
Hop(s)
- Deepen understanding of the biotransformation of bound thiol to free thiol in hops
- Develop indexes for yeast strain potential to cause biotransformation of hop oil components such as thiols and hop oil unsaturated fatty acids into methyl esters, by variety
- Investigate the varietal differences in biotransformation of hop oil unsaturated fatty acids into methyl esters
- Investigate the evolution of smoke compounds in hops due to wildfire events and/or develop solutions to mitigate or remove smoke off-flavor in beer produced using smoke-tainted hops
Draught Beer Quality priorities include (but are not limited to):
- Validate or disprove current draught line cleaning recommendations found in the Draught Beer Quality Manual
- Develop a robust method to validate the effectiveness of new draught line cleaning chemicals, technologies, and/or protocols against the current Draught Beer Quality Manual recommendations in the field
- Identify the components in varying craft beer styles that contribute to the development of biofilm in draught beer lines
- Investigate the food safety implications of no-alcohol and low-alcohol beer served on draught
- Study the impact of alternative beverages such as kombucha, cider, seltzer, and no-alcohol and low-alcohol beer on draught system tubing and hardware
- Investigate the effectiveness of static draught line cleaning versus recirculated cleaning, and the role of flow velocity in stripping sessile microbial contamination
Applied Research Opportunities (New):
- Investigate the use of and best practices for pasteurization on a diverse range of beer styles and alternative beverages which will ensure product stability and safety
- Determine the concentration and combination of compounds found in beer that result in aluminum can liner failure and/or detrimental effects to beer quality
- Investigate the prevalence of biogenic amines in sour/wild beer, potential expression of biogenic amines by common classes of bacteria in draught systems, and/or testing for biogenic amines on “clean” beer, spontaneously fermented beer, lab culture fermented beer, and draught beer
- Investigate the use of thermal fluid heaters in yeast production and brewing, and feasibility for use to replace boilers and natural gas
The BA welcomes your proposals for research or in answer to any BA-initiated request for proposals (RFPs). For additional information read Research and Service Grants Proposal Guidelines.
Please note BA policy does not allow Institutional Overhead, Indirect Costs (“IDC”), or Facilities and Administration (“F&A”) charges on grant funding provided by the BA. Read the BA Research and Service Grant Funding Policies.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Mini-Grants
Program Snapshot
- Maximum Award Amount:
25% of the total project budget, up to $5,000. - Eligibility:
Individuals and organizations. Priority given to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. - Proposals Submission Window:
Accepted on a rolling basis from November 1, 2022 through October 31, 2023. - Notification Date:
Notification of receipt will be provided within 5 business days of submission. Funding decisions will be provided within 45 days following notification of receipt. - Contact:
Inquiries related to this program can be directed to Dr. J Jackson-Beckham – drj@brewersassociation.org.
The BA is proud to fund grants in support of local and regional events, media production projects, and educational and training initiatives that thoughtfully and intentionally promote and foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive craft beer community. The BA Philanthropy and Outreach Subcommittee invites proposals from individuals and organizations who are developing virtual, in-person, or hybrid events, media projects, and educational and training initiatives that will be developed and/or executed in 2023.
About the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mini-Grants
- Funding Priorities
- Past Grant Awards
- Grant Proposal Guidelines
- How To Apply
- Terms and Conditions for Awards
- Reporting Requirements for Awards
- Submit a Proposal
Funding Priorities
Funding priorities for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mini-Grants program are for events, media production projects, and educational and training initiatives that work to create a more inclusive and diverse craft brewing community for brewers, industry partners, and beer lovers everywhere.
Strategic Goals for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mini-Grants Program
- Increase access to and responsible appreciation of craft beer for underrepresented populations and those who have experienced barriers to accessing the broader craft brewing community.
- Promote employment and ownership opportunities in the craft brewing community for members of underrepresented populations and those in the craft brewing community who have experienced barriers to access and advancement.
- Celebrate the diversity of the craft brewing community and increase the visibility of underrepresented groups and experiences.
- Develop the cultural competence and increase the adoption of diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices among members of the broader craft brewing community.
- Leverage the strengths of the craft brewing community to fight injustice, eliminate disparities, and provide solutions to an array of challenges that impact those who produce and enjoy craft beer.
Past Grant Awards
For updates on granting activity during the current funding year, see Association News posts. Past year funding activity is archived here.
2022 Grant Awards – Events
Pink Boots Annual Conference
Pink Boots Society
Charlotte, N.C. (in-person & virtual)
The Brewsters Brunch
Lifting Lucy
Charlotte, N.C.
All the Way Up!
Brew Lala
Baltimore, Md.
Mass Bay Hop Forward Equality Career Fair
Mass Bay Brewing Company
Boston, Mass.
Women’s International Beer Summit
Womxn’s Craft Fermentation Alliance
Virtual
Crafted For Action Conference
Crafted For Action
Atlanta, Ga. (in-person & virtual)
GRINDfest
Black Wall Street AVL
Ashville, N.C.
Change in the Air Festival
Connecticut Brewers Guild & Change in the Air Foundation
New Haven, Conn.
Mobile Black Wall Street Juneteenth
Cincinnati Music Accelerator
Cincinnati, Ohio
Left Hand Brewing Pride Event
Left Hand Brewing Co.
Longmont, Colo.
Big Queer Beer Fest
Gold Spot Brewing & Lady Justice Brewing
Denver, Colo.
Pittsburgh Mixed Culture Fest
Cinderlands Beer Co. & Trace Brewing
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Fermenta Michigan Annual Meeting & Anniversary Event
Fermenta Michigan
Kalamazoo, Mich.
FemAle Brew Fest
FemAle Brew Fest
Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fla.
Rocktoberfest
Harlem Brew South
Rocky Mount, N.C.
Cheluna 6th Anniversary Pachanga
Cheluna Brewing Company
Aurora, Colo.
Beer Culture Summit
Chicago Brewseum
Chicago, Ill.
2022 Grant Awards – Media
Black is Beautiful Documentary
Flagship Video Works
Bitch Beer Podcast
Caroline King, Bitch Beer Podcast
This Belongs To Us Documentary
Atinuke Diver
The Food Engineer Podcast
Christian Mercado
2022 Grant Awards – Education and Training
All About Craft Beer: Education, Employment & Enjoyment Course
Mickey Bryant, Black and Brew Chicago
Entrepreneurship & Equity in Brewing School
EEB
2021 Grant Awards
Crafted For Action Craft Beer Con
The Atlanta Beer Boutique
Atlanta. Ga. / Virtual
It Starts At The Top
Massachusetts Brewers Guild
Framingham, Mass.
Arts On Tap
Alliance for the Arts
Fort Myers, Fla.
2020 Grant Awards
Suave Fest
Raices Brewing Company
Denver, Colo.
FemAle Brew Fest
Dania Beach, Fla.
Dames + Dregs Beer Festival
Atlanta, Ga.
Family Afternoons Out
BEERSGIVING
Fort Worth, Texas
Beers With(out) Beards
Hop Culture
Virtual
Brewers of Pennsylvania Symposium
Brewers of Pennsylvania
State College, Pa.
Beer Culture Summit
Chicago Brewseum
Virtual
2019 Grant Awards
Tapping Opportunity
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Cleveland, Ohio
Beers With(out) Beards
Hop Culture
Brooklyn, N.Y.
HeART and Soul Brew Fest
Like the Fruit, LLC
Richmond, Va.
Suave Fest
Raices Brewing Company
Denver, Colo.
Fresh Fest Beer Fest
Fresh Fest Beer Fest, LLC
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Craft Beer Employment Fair
Mass Bay Brewing Company
Boston, Mass.
Grant Proposal Guidelines
Budget Year
The budget year for the 2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Mini-Grant cycle runs from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
Duration of Funding
Funding commitments are for:
- Events that will take place by the end of the budget year.
- Media production projects that will be at least 50% completed by the end of the budget year.
- Training or educational efforts that will be developed and/or executed by the end of the budget year.
Eligibility
- All individuals and organizations are eligible to apply. However, priority is given to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
- An applicant may not submit multiple proposals under this announcement. The BA will consider parent organizations and their subordinates to be a single entity for purposes of eligibility. If for any reason a proposal is submitted more than once before the deadline, the BA will only accept your most recent submission.
- Organizations who have previously been award funding through Diversity and Inclusion Event Grants program are eligible to apply. However, events that have been awarded for two contiguous funding cycles must take a year off before resubmitting a proposal.
Maximum Award Amount
Requested funds should not exceed 25% of the proposed budget and may be awarded up to $5,000.
Proposal Submission Window
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis from November 1, 2022, through October 31, 2023.
Notification Date
Notification of receipt will be provided within 5 business days of submission. Funding decisions will be provided within 45 days following notification of receipt.
Adherence to BA Policies
Event organizers, vendors, and volunteers must adhere to the Brewers Association Code of Conduct, and all marketing collateral, social media messaging, signage, and communications about the event must adhere to the Brewers Association Marketing and Advertising Code.
Contact
All questions and inquiries related to the Diversity & Inclusion Event Grants program should be directed to Dr. J Jackson-Beckham – drj@brewersassociation.org. Additionally, BrA members may find more information and discussion about this program on the DEI board in the BA Forums.
Allowable Costs
For Events:
- fees for consultants and contractors.
- rental fees for venues and equipment.
- supplies and materials.
- advertising and marketing costs.
- catering, food, and beverage costs.
- fees for licensing of media and performers.
For Media Production:
- fees for consultants and contractors.
- rental fees equipment.
- licensing and subscription fees.
- supplies and materials.
- approved transportation expenses.
For Education and Training:
- fees for consultants and contractors.
- licensing and subscription fees.
- supplies and materials.
- advertising and marketing costs.
- approved transportation expenses.
- catering, food, and beverage costs.
** Please note: the DEI Mini-Grant program does not directly fund scholarships, grants, or other direct giving. It is intended to fund the development and administration of programs that directly provide education and training.
How to Apply
Terms and Conditions for Awards
Utilization of Grant Funds
Grant funds must be used in accordance with the event detailed in your proposal.
Non-Disclosure of Grant Awards
The amount granted is not permitted to be shared publicly.
Pre-Event Requirements
An update detailing any changes to the event insurance, beer service plans, security plans, and COVID-19 addendum must be filed with the BA at least 30 days prior to the event.
BA Event Access
Complimentary passes/admission will be provided to BA staff or board/committee members who wish to attend and observe the event.
Pay It Forward Opportunity
If requested, and if schedules permit, present on the event at a grant recipient panel seminar at CBC 2023 (Nashville, Tenn.).
Acknowledgement of Funds
BA financial support of any and all funded projects must be acknowledged in collateral and communications related to the project as agreed upon. The BA logo should be used when appropriate and with permission. The BA must additionally be listed as a sponsor and its logo must be included with permission, when appropriate, on all collateral and promotional materials. The Independent Craft Brewer Supporter Seal should be included, when appropriate, on all collateral and promotional materials.
Reporting Requirements for Awards
Recipients are required to submit a post-event event grant report within 60 days of the conclusion of the proposed event. The post-event grant report should include a brief narrative summary and multimedia (photo, video, and/or audio) records of the event.
Post-Grant Report Checklist
Narrative Checklist
- A summary of the event, project, or initiative.
- The number of attendees/participants, staff, and volunteers, and the demographics of these groups if available.
- Accomplishments, outcomes, and fulfillment of the proposed mission.
- Challenges and changes to the event, project, or initiative as proposed.
- Final budget vs. actuals balance sheet.
- Links to any press or media reporting.
Multimedia Checklist
- Provide at least ten (10) high-resolution photographs depicting scenes of in-person events in progress. Provide screenshots of virtual events in progress. Provide media clips or links to media production projects.
- (OPTIONAL) Provide video or audio recordings of events or educational/training initiatives.
- (OPTIONAL) Provide written, video, audio, or social media testimonials from attendees of the events or participants in eduational/training initiatives with contact information.
Submit a Proposal
General Guidelines for Preparing Proposals
- Make the connection between the grant program’s funding priorities and your event, media production project, or educational/training initiative early and often.
- Start early and make time to ask for assistance if needed. We are happy to help!
- Make sure you answer all questions and provide all supporting documentation requested.
- Be brief, explicit, and specific when writing your narratives.
- Be realistic and detailed in designing the project budget.
- Make the case that you have the knowledge, resources, and experience to execute a successful event, media production, or educational/training initiative.
Craft Brewers Conference® (CBC®) Travel Grants
Program Snapshot
- Maximum Award Amount:
Eligible travel expenses, up to $1,500. - Eligibility:
Employees of a Brewers Association member brewery-in-planning or brewery who produces less than 15,000 bbls. - Application Submission Window:
September 6, 2023 – October 27, 2023. - Notification Date:
Applicants will be notified about grant decisions in December 2023. - Contact:
Inquiries related to this program can be directed to J Jackson-Beckham – DrJ@brewersassociation.org.
The Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) is the nation’s premiere opportunity for craft brewing industry professionals to learn, connect with peers, and engage in personal and organizational development. The BA is proud to fund travel grants to expand access to this one-of-a-kind experience. The CBC Travel Grants program supports the goals to bring new voices to the CBC speaker line-up and to enable more individuals in a wide variety of professional roles to attend the conference. Grants cover eligible travel expenses up to $1,500.
Eligibility
The Philanthropy and Outreach Subcommittee and DEI Education Subcommittee of the BA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee invites applications from individuals employed by a BA member brewery-in-planning or brewery who produces less than 15,000 bbls. Examples of eligible brewery types are:
- Contract Brand/Alternating Proprietorship
- Microbrewery
- Taproom
- Brewpub
Selection of Grant Awards
A limited number of grants will be competitively awarded based on criteria established by the DEI Committee. Preference will be given to eligible applicants who have had a seminar proposal accepted for the CBC, first-time attendees, and those who have experienced cultural or situational barriers to attending the conference.
Eligible Travel Expenses
CBC Travel Grants do not cover the cost of registration for the general conference, preconference workshops, or Brew Expo America. Travel grant awardees must provide proof of registration to remain eligible for grant awards.
- Lodging – Lodging expenses will be pre-paid. A hotel room for grantees will be reserved at a partnering hotel near the conference location. Applicants in need of accessible lodging accommodations may indicate this on the application form.
- Commercial airline tickets, passenger train tickets, or bus tickets – All travel fares will be reimbursed after travel has been completed.*
- Car rentals, taxis, ride share services (Lyft or Uber), and public transportation fare – All ground transportation expenses will be reimbursed after travel has been completed.*
- Parking fees – All ground expenses will be reimbursed after travel has been completed.*
* Valid receipts for all reimbursable expenses must be submitted within 30 days of completing travel.
How to Apply
- Prepare your application materials.
- If you have submitted a proposal to present a seminar or panel at the Craft Brewers Conference, please have the name of your seminar or panel handy.
- The travel grant application requires that you submit a personal statement that responds to the questions: 1) How will this opportunity impact your career development in the craft brewing industry? 2) How will your participation in this opportunity impact the craft brewing industry locally, regionally, or more broadly? 3) What barriers have you experienced that have limited your opportunities for professional growth? The personal statement can be submitted in writing (up to 500 words) or as a brief video recording (up to three minutes).
- Ensure that you have been added to your brewery’s BA membership employee roster so that you can access the application using your BA username and password. To be added to your brewery’s roster, contact your BA membership administrator or email the BA membership team directly (info@brewersassocation.org) for assistance.
- Login to the BA website by clicking “Account” at the upper righthand side of your browser.
- Follow the link to the CBC Travel Grant Application below to complete the application.
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