The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has announced a $1 million donation to the University of California, Davis, to establish a permanent fellowship for graduate students in coffee science. The new fellowship will be based at the university's dedicated Coffee Center, a leading institution for coffee-related academic study.
According to the SCA, the $1 million gift will be managed by UC Davis as an endowment. This structure is designed to generate approximately $40,000 each year to fund the research of an appointed SCA Fellow. Any additional earnings from the endowment will be reinvested to grow the principal fund over time, ensuring the fellowship's longevity.
The donation strengthens a nearly decade-long collaboration between the trade association and the UC Davis Coffee Center. The center, which opened its research and teaching facility in 2024, focuses on a wide range of fields including engineering, sensory science, post-harvest processing, and roasting. The fellowship is intended to foster a new generation of scientific talent for the coffee industry. Application procedures and eligibility requirements have not yet been released.