SCA Donates $1 Million to UC Davis Coffee Center to Establish Endowed Fellowship in Coffee Science – CoffeeTalk

A $1 million donation from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has been used to establish the Specialty Coffee Association Endowed Fellowship in Coffee Science, which is jointly funded by the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). This endowment is intended to encourage graduate research in coffee science at the UC Davis Coffee Center, demonstrating a dedication to the advancement of the field of coffee research and the support of the next generation of researchers.

The endowment will provide ongoing financial assistance to graduate students, with a particular emphasis on attracting international scholars from regions that produce coffee. This initiative is a component of the SCA’s overarching goal to enhance professional development and education in the coffee industry, thereby establishing new avenues for emergent researchers. Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of SCA, underscored the significance of investing in individuals who will shape the future of the coffee industry. He emphasized the potential for students from coffee-producing regions to contribute valuable perspectives that improve the sustainability and resilience of the industry.

The partnership between SCA and UC Davis has a history that dates back to their 2017 collaboration on a major research initiative that explored the fundamentals of coffee brewing. The new fellowship serves to reinforce their shared dedication to conducting rigorous, impactful research that is pertinent to the global coffee community. The SCA’s generosity was acknowledged by William Ristenpart, the founding director of the UC Davis Coffee Center, who also expressed the objective of fostering a strong academic talent pipeline for the coffee industry through this fellowship.

Agricultural science, environmental science, engineering, chemistry, sensory science, roasting, brewing, and postharvest processing are among the numerous disciplines in which graduate students at the Coffee Center are integral contributors. The Coffee Center is the sole academic institution in the United States that is exclusively dedicated to the education of coffee research.

The $1 million fund will be allocated for long-term development under the management of UC Davis, with approximately 4% (approximately $40,000) available annually to support a graduate research fellow. This framework not only facilitates academic research but also endeavors to establish connections between academia and the coffee industry’s broader context. SCA Fellows will have the opportunity to disseminate new scientific knowledge to coffee professionals and communities worldwide by sharing their findings at SCA events and in publications.

The fellowship’s inception symbolizes a global and transdisciplinary perspective on coffee science. The SCA and UC Davis are committed to advancing research and innovation that will guaranty the long-term resilience of coffee and benefit those who depend on it by promoting international perspectives and fostering the development of new researchers.

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