CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

TEQUILA INTERCHANGE PROJECT (TIP)

2025 Research Grant

The Tequila Exchange Project (TIP) 501(c)(3) is pleased to announce our first-ever research grant for 2025.

To further our mission of preserving traditional practices and fostering sustainability in agave spirits production, TIP is putting out an open call to undergraduate and graduate-level students in Mexico and the United States, who are conducting research directly or indirectly connected to agave spirits culture.

The grant will be awarded to one applicant based in Mexico, the United States, or Europe. The grant will be paid out in three installments.

Scholarship Amount: $5,000 USD

Requirements:

  • Be an undergraduate or graduate student, regardless of the major or specialty (proof of enrollment status will be requested).

    OR

  • Be a person otherwise dedicated to the rescue, documentation, or promotion of good practices or sustainability in agave spirits.

  • Applicants must be 21 years of age in the United States, or 18 in Mexico and Europe.

  •  It can be an ongoing project or a proposal for the upcoming academic year.

Application

  • Please submit a brief (1200 word maximum) summary of your proposal that includes the following:

    • Abstract

    • Direct beneficiaries and location of the research

    • Objectives expected to be achieved through the project

    • Project deliverables that will demonstrate achievement of objectives

    • Justification of the relevance of the project

    • Methodology

  • Resume

    • A one-page resumé, highlighting experience working with agaves, agave spirits, or in agroecology or anthropology projects

  • Additional information

    • Has the proposal been discussed with those who will directly benefit? Is there a letter of support?

    • Monthly schedule

    • Budget

    • Are you working with any other non-profit organizations on this project?

  • While we encourage all possible proposals directly or indirectly related to agaves and agave-based spirits, special attention will be given to proposals focused on the following topics:

    • Management and conservation of biodiversity in regions producing spirits made from agave

    • Sustainability, particularly water resource management

    • Gender roles in the agave industry, particularly raising awareness of female participation

    • Agave cultivation as an important factor in local socioeconomic development

    • Cycles of oversupply and shortage, or any other issues facing the agave supply chain and their impacts on localities and workforce

    • Geographical indications and their effectiveness

  • Accepted languages are English or Spanish

  • .pdf format

  • SUBMIT APPLICATIONS VIA EMAIL TO FUNDING@TEQUILAINTERCHANGEPROJECT.ORG

RESTRICTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

  • Funds must be used exclusively for expenses directly related to the research

    • Eligible expenses include:

      • Contractor fees

      • Purchase of materials and equipment

      • Software expenses

      • Laboratory Analysis

      • Transportation

      • Lodging

      • Other travel expenses

      • Per diem

        *This is not an exhaustive list and other eligible expenses may be submitted for approval on a case-by-case basis

  • The scholarship may be canceled for any of the following reasons:

    • Failure to deliver partial and final reports, in addition to deliverables

    • False information provided

    • Failure to comply with ethical commitments in research: Improper conduct in the locality or with interlocutors

    • Abandonment of the project without justification

    • Inability to maintain communication with project supervisors

    • Breach of confidentiality agreements

  • Modifications to the project are permitted but must be promptly reported to the project supervisors in a free-format document, indicating what is being modified, the reasons, and the importance of the changes.

  • The person receiving the scholarship is obliged to behave ethically and comply with local laws and regulations. This implies obtaining the necessary permits, complying with safety standards, and adhering to the research protocols indicated for specific communities in order to guarantee the safety and personal integrity of all those involved.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

FIRST STAGE: Evaluation of the written proposal

  • Relevance and pertinence (25%)

  • Technical quality of the proposal (25%)

  • Social and environmental impact (25%)

  • Applicant's experience and ability (10%)

  • Innovation and originality (15%)

SECOND STAGE: Interview (10 finalists)

  • Presentation of the proposal. 15 minutes (50%)

  • Questions and answers session. 15 minutes (50%)

Important Dates

Opening Call

18 February 2025

Application Due

23 March 2025

Review of Applications

2 March - 4 April 2025

Finalists Notified

7 April 2025

Finalist Interviews, Deliberation, Decision and Ruling

8 April - 25 April 2025

Notification of Results via TIP Website and Email to Participants

28 April 2025

This grant was made possible by the generosity of our friends at the Mission 1530 Project, Madre Restaurant, Winebow, Maverick Beverage Company, Vine Street Imports, Binny’s, and Suro International Importers