Students should expect to fund a significant portion (if not all) of their school-related costs. Below are some of the funding options available:
Teaching Assistantships (TA Appointments)
TA appointments are available within the Department of Viticulture and Enology as well as other departments on campus. To apply for TA appointments outside of the Department, please contact the administration for each Graduate Program you could TA for directly. Additionally, a listing can be found on the Office of Graduate Studies Teaching Assistantship Database. Students are strongly encouraged to contact other UC Davis departments where they have the expertise to serve as a teaching assistant.
The Department of Viticulture and Enology offers several teaching assistantships each quarter. Students in their second year who have satisfactorily completed VEN coursework are eligible to apply for Teaching Assistantships. TA Applications are available in January each year. Appointments are individually determined by the course instructor. At present, registration fees are almost completely covered under the UC Fee Remission program for any teaching assistantship appointment of 25% or greater.
Graduate Student Researcher (GSR Appointments)
Occasionally, Plan I students are supported by Graduate Student Researcher positions. GSR's are awarded by individual faculty members from their research grants. Traditionally, these appointments are negotiated after the student has secured a major professor. At present, students hired as a GSR for 25% or more have their registration fees paid under the UC Fee Remission program.
Department Scholarships
The Department of Viticulture and Enology offers several privately funded scholarships. Anyone within the Department is eligible to apply, although some scholarships have additional requirements. Scholarship applications are distributed in January with the announcement of awards in June and distributed in fall quarter of the following academic year.
The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV)
The American Society for Enology and Viticulture annually awards numerous scholarships to students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in enology, viticulture, or in a curriculum emphasizing a science basic to the wine and grape industry. The awards are not in predetermined amounts and may vary from year to year. All scholarship recommendations are determined by the Scholarship Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The application deadline is March 1. Applications may be found here.
The American Wine Society Educational Foundation (AWSEF)
It is the Foundation's premise that there is an acute need for the professional development of qualified scientists and educators to ensure the growth of the American wine industry. The AWSEF annually awards academic scholarships to support full-time graduate students pursuing degrees in enology, viticulture, or health aspects of wine. Applicants must be North American citizens or permanent residents (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, and West Indies Islands) and enrolled in a college or university program leading to an MS or PhD degree. Completed applications must be postmarked not later than the 31st of March of each year to be considered for award the following academic year. Applications may be found here.
The James Beard Foundation
The Friends of James Beard Foundation Scholarships and the James Beard Foundation School Scholarships have been established to assist aspiring culinary professionals who plan to further their education at a licensed or accredited culinary school. Professional grants are also available for independent work, study and travel. Applications may be found here.
The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation
The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping women advance their careers in the food, wine, hospitality, or viticulture industries, through education, leadership, and professional development, as well as fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. Applications may be found here.
The Rhone Rangers
The Rhone Rangers is a non-profit dedicated to promoting American Rhone varietal wines. In France's Rhone Valley, there are 22 grape varieties including the better-known Syrah and Viognier, to the up and coming Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Roussanne, to the truly obscure (but delicious) Counoise, Bourboulenc and Picpoul. It also raises funds and awards grants to assist students in Viticulture & Enology programs. Applications may be found here.
Other Resources
In addition to funding sources within the University of California, Davis, the Office of Graduate Studies keeps a list of External Fellowship opportunities for continuing graduate students. All domestic students are required to file the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available online in January with an early March deadline. Award eligibility will be determined and sent to the UC Davis Financial Aid Office and viewed at MyAwards.