Grants

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

Due to budget reductions, the Brewers Association’s Craft Beer Research and Service Grants program has been put on hiatus for 2024. This page will be kept updated with anticipated changes and future plans for the program.  Inquiries related to this program can be directed to technical@brewersassociation.org.

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.
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  • Proposals Submission Window:
    Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis from January, 1 through October, 31 each funding year.
  •  
  • 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.
  •  
Three women and one man holding beer and smiling.
Lindsey, Adrian, Jessica, and Alma Vargas at Suave Fest (Photo courtesy of Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Due to budget reductions, the Brewers Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mini-Grants program has been put on hiatus for 2024. If you would like to be notified when the program is reinstated, sign-up using the form below. All inquiries related to this program can be directed to J Jackson-Beckham.

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

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.

2019 Hop Forward Fair in Boston, Mass. (Photo courtesy of Mass Bay Brewing Company)

Strategic Goals for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mini-Grants Program

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Celebrate the diversity of the craft brewing community and increase the visibility of underrepresented groups and experiences.
  4. Develop the cultural competence and increase the adoption of diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices among members of the broader craft brewing community.
  5. 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, Education and Training

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

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.

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:
    TBD
  •  
  • Notification Date:
    TBD
  •  
  • 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

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. Login to the BA website by clicking “Account” at the upper righthand side of your browser.
  4. Follow the link to the CBC Travel Grant Application below to complete the application.