1. American Homebrewers Association
Research and Education Fund
Debbie Cerda, AHA Governing Committee
Introduction
Potential funding is available for current American
Homebrewers Association members to research homebrewing
related topics through the American Homebrewers Associaton
(AHA) Research & Education Fund (REF).
Eligibility is determined by a subcommittee of the AHA
Governing Committee, composed of AHA GC members and
experts in the brewing related topics.
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Overview
AHA members are encouraged to submit a REF proposal to
include the following information:
• Executive Summary
What does the proposal seek to accomplish?
• Problem Statement
Explain the need that the proposal and research seeks to
meet.
• Goals and Objectives
What does the researcher hope to accomplish with this
project? What are the specific results or expected outcomes?
• Methods, Strategies, and Program Design
What methods will you use to achieve your goals and
objectivies? What controls will be in place?
• Evaluation
How will you assess your project’s accomplishments and
measure the impact and success of your project? What
variables would you change? What future research could be
conducted that relates to your project?
• Proposed Budget
Detail anticipated costs including ingredients, lab analysis,
unique materials, etc.
• Alternate Funding or Sustainability
Identify any additional financial funding or in-kind
contributions from other sources.
Fine Print
Research results will be posted to an AHA
members-only section of the website at
HomebrewersAssociation.org, and may
also be presented in an upcoming edition of Zymurgy as well
as at a future National Homebrewers Conference. Publication
and presentation of results are still subject to approval by the
associated staff including editorial and review staff.
It is hoped that not all requests are for 100 percent of costs,
and that clubs in particular might propose sharing costs—which
would allow more members and their clubs to participate.
The reimbursement is intended for actual supplies and
services (grains, hops, yeast, adjuncts, honey, cider, unique
fabrications, laboratory analytics, etc.).
Standard and/or readily available homebrew equipment on the
market, as well as hobby labor is not included.
Members may receive requests for additional information,
recommended modifications or suggestions to enhance their
proposal from the REF committee prior to obtaining approval. A
REF Subcommittee member will be assigned as a coach and
mentor to each project.
Responses will need to be made in a timely manner as not to
impede the review and approval process. The committee will
provide a response within sixty (60) days of proposal submittal.Criteria
• Submitter must be a current AHA member
• Topic must of relevance and value to homebrewing
• Proposal and application must be submitted prior to project
initiation and execution
• Proposal must be vetted and approved by REF committee
• Upon submitting satisfactory research findings,
reimbursement can be requested with the appropriate
receipts. The REF committee can approve partial funding
upfront on a case-by-case basis.
• Reimbursement is available for proposals that deliver a
satisfactory write-up.
Past Topics include:
• Water Chemistry of Mead
• Cask Conditioning
• Cider Yeasts
• Detecting Yeast PrA in Beer
• Decoction
• Hot Side Aeration
• Characteristics of S.
Eubayanus
• Alternative Flaws from
Mashing
• One Wort, Multiple Yeasts
• Lacto and the Gut