SCHOLARshIPS

Whether you’re a BIPOC brewer or distiller looking to learn new skills or seeking technical education to further your career in the industry, we can help.

AWARD FOR BREWING

SIR GEOFF PALMER SCHOLARSHIP

Sir Godfrey Henry Oliver Palmer, OBE was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1940. He is a Professor Emeritus of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the UK’s most prestigious school for brewing and distilling. In 1989, he shattered a long-standing glass ceiling by becoming the first Black professor in Scotland. In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions, the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) awarded him the esteemed Award of Distinction in 1998, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Brewing.” Beyond his academic accolades, Sir Geoff Palmer is a prolific author and a lifelong advocate for civil rights in the UK, dedicating decades to activism.

The Sir Geoff Palmer Scholarship Award for Brewing will provide full funding for tuition and course materials for renowned practical courses in brewing science and technology. Eligible programs include those offered by the Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA), the American Brewers Guild, UC Davis, The Siebel Institute of Technology, and other leading institutions.

The MJF takes great pride in collaborating directly with Sir Geoff Palmer to shape the vision and direction of this transformative new scholarship.

AWARD FOR DISTILLING

NEAREST GREEN SCHOLARSHIP

Nearest Green (1820-1890?) was born into slavery in Tennessee in 1820 and was eventually leased to Dan Call, a preacher, grocer, and distiller. In the 1850s, Call hired a young boy named Jack Daniel to manage the distillery’s operations. Recognizing Green’s expertise, Call entrusted Jack’s distillation education to Nearest, referring to him as the “best whiskey maker that I know of.”

After his emancipation in 1865, Nearest Green continued to work for Dan Call, dedicating himself to completing Jack Daniel’s training. In 2017, Green was formally acknowledged as the first “head stiller” (now known as “master distiller”) of Jack Daniel’s Distillery.

Impressively, seven successive generations of Green’s descendants have carried on his legacy, working for the distillery to this day.

APPLY - MJF SCHOLARSHIPS

APPLY - MJF SCHOLARSHIPS

WINTER ‘24 APPLICATION WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED.

The next application window opens in the Spring of 2025. For the latest updates on application periods and other MJF related news, follow us on Instagram.

MJF Approved Courses

The following courses are a sampling of programs that the MJF board believes offer strong technical education in the production aspects of brewing and distilling. While not comprehensive, it serves as a useful starting point. Although the board has conducted brief reviews of these courses and is very familiar with several, applicants are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research before applying.

If the course you'd like to pursue is not listed here, you’ll have the opportunity to request it in your application.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College AAS Sustainable Brewing

KU Leuven
Postgraduate Program in Malting & Brewing Sciences

Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Brewing and Brewery Operations Diploma

Master Brewer Academy
Professional Brewer Training (prep for the IBD exam)

Master Brewers Association of the Americas
Brewery Packaging Technology, Brewery Maintenance Systems, Brewing and Malting Science

Niagara College
Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management Program

Niagara College Artisan Distilling Program

Sacred Heart University Brewing Science Program

Siebel Institute of Technology
All Advanced and Intermediate-level courses

UC Davis Food Science Brewing
Master Brewers Certificate Program

UC San Diego Extension
Professional Certificate in Brewing

University of Arkansas
Brewing Certificate

University of South Florida St. Petersburg Brewing Arts Program

University of the Sciences
Brewing Science Certificate

VLB Berlin
Certified Brewmaster Course - in English

FAQ

  • All applicants must have at least entry level experience in brewing or distilling.

    If the current application window is open, you can begin the application process immediately. Otherwise, join our email list below and we will notify you when the next period opens.

  • Yes. If an awardee is accepted into an accredited overseas brewing or distilling course (Heriot-Watt for example) the scholarship award will be applicable towards the cost of tuition only. Additional expenses (relocation costs, travel, etc) are the responsibility of the awardee.

  • We strongly encourage businesses and organizations to support applicants in any way possible.

    An easy first step is to send us a letter of recommendation. Should the applicant receive an award, you can support by providing PTO for in-person training sessions or offering in-house mentorship opportunities.

  • Yes, at this time, eligibility is limited to citizens of the United States and its territories, as well as individuals with U.S. Permanent Resident (“Green Card”) status.

    The MJF deeply values the significant contributions immigrants have made to our nation and allied industries and looks forward to encouraging their participation in our programs in the future.