Education in the world of wine: where to look for grants and scholarships

I first heard about the Gérard Basset Foundation three years ago, but only recently was able to personally say "thank you" to its leaders, Nina and Roman Basset: without their help, my studies for the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine would have been much more difficult.

I received a scholarship from this foundation. And since I started my studies, the word "support" has ceased to sound abstract to me: I have made many connections in the world of wine.

Gerard Basset, after whom the foundation is named, was one of the world's top wine experts: he won the most prestigious sommelier competitions in the UK, Europe and the world, and in his lifetime was only one of three people in history to be simultaneously named Master Sommelier and Master of Wine - the two highest titles in the wine industry.

After Gérard Basset's death, his wife and son founded the Gérard Basset Foundation. It organizes Golden Vines, a series of events and charity auctions, which provides the bulk of its funding. It also supports wine industry professionals.

These are grants for expensive education, study materials, travel and paid internships. Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships can support up to 50 thousand pounds plus paid study trips and a mentoring program for three students who plan to study for Master of Wine or Master Sommelier. And the Artémis Domaines Golden Vines Victims of Conflict program, for example, offers scholarships of up to €20k to people affected by geopolitical conflicts. Each scholarship recipient receives a 6-month paid individual internship at one of the world-famous Artémis Domaines wine estates of the family of French billionaire François Pinault.

The Gérard Basset Foundation is one of the foundations that helps to get professional education in wine, which is significant for me personally. But it is not the only one.

I have compiled a list of organizations, scholarships and grants for those who want to develop in the wine industry.

The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) provides annual grants for research in its priority areas. For example, in the field of sustainable winemaking. Famous producers such as Familia Torres, Moët & Hennessy, Viña Concha y Toro, etc. also participate in the grant support. OIV scholarships are up to €15,000 for short-term programs and up to €50,000 for three-year programs.

There are also programs for those who work "in the fields": in vineyards, in cellars, responsible for technical processes. For example, in Australia there is a scholarship program of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology: in 2025, the total support amounted to $15 thousand for eight scholarships - this is assistance in paying for training courses and professional development projects.

If your goal is one of the most prestigious Master of Wine qualifications in the wine industry, the institute has its own pool of scholarships and grants. Thanks to them, for example, Commanderie de Bordeaux in 2022 sent two students of the Master of Wine program on a study trip to Bordeaux - with payment of travel expenses and accommodation, and IWSC in 2024 gave two students 5 thousand pounds for training. These are living examples of targeted aid that are incredibly inspiring. The full list of scholarships is here.

The WSET Financial Support Program is designed to help students in the UK who would otherwise be unable to qualify due to financial constraints. Scholarships are available for certificates at levels 1-3 in wine, spirits and sake. Applications for the program in the UK are processed by The Drinks Trust.

WSET has also announced a partnership with American non-profit organization The Roots Fund - they are launching a new program for ethnic minorities to increase diversity in the spirits industry. Each scholarship will be tailored to the goals of the individual participant and will include education fees, internships, customized programs such as with the Burgundy School of Business, mentoring and educational materials.

The American organization Glancy Wine Education Foundation covers from 60% to 100% of the cost of wine courses for low-income people and minorities living in the United States. These are programs at the San Francisco Wine School in California, the International Wine Center in New York or the American Wine School in Chicago, among others.

The International Sommelier Guild has a separate Diversity in Wine Education Scholarship program for minorities, people with disabilities and low-income candidates.

If you have an academic approach, check out Vinifera EuroMaster. They have a very interesting two-year program with compulsory study in two countries. They offer eight scholarships for €9,000 and six for €4,200.

If you love to travel and your passion is wine tourism, the Great Wine Capitals network has regular research and exchange grants. They have a wine tourism research grant for €7,500 plus travel expenses for internships and exchanges between the world's wine capitals.

The programs listed are really real chances for anyone who dreams of developing in the wine industry.

My own experience with the Gérard Basset Foundation has taught me the most important thing: money is only half of success. The other half is people, like-minded people who first become your network of contacts, then friends, and then, perhaps, business partners.

First, decide exactly what you are interested in.

If your goal is to obtain a Master of Wine, you should check the information in the Fees & Scholarships section of the IMW, as well as the latest news about the awardees. At the same time, you can check the Gérard Basset Foundation and its partners for up-to-date enrollments. If you have research objectives, it makes sense to look at the annual OIV programs.

For academic knowledge, study Vinifera EuroMaster. It is better to think in advance which laboratory and which supervisor you want to join in the second year of your studies.

For sommelier training, check out the Court of Master Sommeliers open grants and targeted initiatives by schools and foundations (ISG Diversity, local funds at industry associations).

If you are developing a career in wine tourism, monitor Great Wine Capitals information and regional exchange programs. This is one of the few sources of funding specifically for applied research and internships in this field.

What follows is all about discipline. Make a "candidate dossier": a clear CV with a focus on skills, a training plan for 12-18 months, a budget with realistic prices and a reserve for tasting samples, a list of mentors and references.

Rewrite a motivational essay for each program, taking into account your goals and requirements for applicants. Check deadlines and language criteria, do not hesitate to write to the coordinators with clarifying questions - this is absolutely normal and even welcome.

And please don't forget about "giving back". Almost all foundations and organizations expect you to become part of their network and share knowledge and further participate in mentoring programs.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor