Slow Food has officially launched the 2026 edition of the Negroni Week Fund, an initiative designed to bridge the gap in professional development for beverage industry workers worldwide.
The fund addresses a critical lack of training and education while empowering hospitality professionals to champion sustainability, social justice, and equity in their daily work.
The program is structured around three primary pillars: Educational Scholarships, the Negroni Week Innovation Award, and the Slow Food Exchange.
Each stream is focused on the core mission of fostering a beverage industry that is “good, clean, and fair” for everyone involved.
Funding and benefits
Under the Educational Scholarship stream, a cohort of 15 professionals per event will receive a comprehensive support package.
This includes registration for major industry gatherings, lodging, and a $1,000 travel stipend, alongside direct mentorship from a Slow Food ambassador and a curated welcome dinner.
The Negroni Week Innovation Award provides more substantial financial backing, with grants ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 USD per project.
This year, the fund is also introducing a new mentoring program that pairs current winners with previous grantees to help bring their community-based projects to life.
Application requirements and eligibility
Scholarship applicants must be currently employed in the beverage industry and demonstrate a commitment to Slow Food values.
Priority is given to underrepresented individuals, first-time attendees of industry events, and active members of the Slow Food Bartenders Alliance.
The Innovation Awards target collaborative efforts, requiring partnerships of two or more organizations to apply.
The lead applicant must be a legally recognized entity active in the hospitality or beverage sector, proposing a project that solves modern industry challenges through ethical practices.
The third stream, the Slow Food Exchange, focuses on building direct links between hospitality professionals and specific producer communities.
These deep-dive field experiences and networking forums are conducted by invitation only, with Slow Food selecting participants from established movement communities.
Deadline
Applications for the Innovation Awards officially opened on April 8, signaling the start of the selection process for this year’s cycle.
Prospective applicants for both the scholarships and the awards can find detailed submission instructions and links on the organization’s official news and resource portal.
To apply, visit the Slow Food call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
