ACA Announces Continuation of Cider Is For Everyone Scholarship for CiderCon® 2025

The American Cider Association is pleased to share that their Cider Is For Everyone Scholarship program will continue for CiderCon® 2025. This scholarship is designed to support people from historically marginalized groups in North America in gaining access to professional development and networking opportunities in the cider industry. The goal is to increase the accessibility of cider education to jump-start the careers of these cider professionals. Many scholars have gone on to share their knowledge with the cider industry as well, as CiderCon® speakers and more.

The scholarship package includes: 

• Registration to CiderCon® 2025 (including travel and lodging)
• Level 1 Certified Cider Guide training and certification exam 
• Two Certified Pommelier sensory webinars
• The Certified Pommelier Study Guide
• Registration fee for the Certified Pommelier Exam
• And after passing the Certified Pommelier Exam, a travel stipend becomes available for cider judging opportunities

Applications are now being accepted and the deadline to apply is August 30. Those interested in applying can fill out the application form here. Potential recipients will be contacted to schedule a brief interview and winners of the scholarship will be notified in September. CiderCon® 2025 takes place February 4 – 7 in Chicago, Illinois.

This scholarship is part of a broader effort by the ACA to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cider industry. In 2019 the ACA launched the Anti-racism, Equity and Inclusion committee which recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion as an important and necessary part of present and future successes of the cider industry. This committee structures its work around a belief that existing structures of power, privilege and discrimination must be actively questioned and evaluated in order to create equitable opportunities in an environment that embraces and values our differences. They strive to create events, opportunities and organizational policies that embody these values, and to continue evaluating these practices for sustained growth and improvement.

The ACA’s first scholarships developed out of a partnership with Beer Kulture in 2021, and the program has grown every year since. 

“This scholarship is one of our best tools for fostering a more diverse cider industry,” says Michelle McGrath, CEO of the ACA. “The scholarship needs to work in lock step with our efforts to create a more inclusive industry so that, as we have more diverse CiderCon® attendees, they are surrounded by a welcoming community and equitable environment.”

Those interested in sponsoring or donating to the Cider Is For Everyone Scholarship Fund can learn more on the ACA website or connect with CEO Michelle McGrath at michelle@ciderassociation.org.

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