Applications open for Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant (United States)

The 2027 Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant invites eligible not-for-profit organizations and K–12 educators to develop projects that investigate and/or educate the public about the history of chocolate, including chocolate innovation and cocoa science. The grant application deadline is 23 October 2026. Winners will be announced in February 2027 at the Heritage Chocolate Society annual meeting. Opportunity at a Glance

- Funding opportunity name: Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant (2027)

- Funder/organizer: Mars, Incorporated (American Heritage Chocolate site)

- Opportunity purpose: Support education, research, immersive experiences, and publications related to chocolate history and related themes

- Eligible applicants (high level): Not-for-profit organizations/non-profit 501(c)(3) or educators in K–12 public schools in the United States; individual researchers/organizations not primarily operating to make a profit may also be eligible (per source) - Geographic focus: United States (and K–12 public school educators in the U.S.); countries outside the U.S. are not specified in the eligibility section of the source

- Application deadline: 23 October 2026 (deadline time and time zone not specified in the source)

- Award/announcement timing: Winners announced in February 2027

- Minimum award amount stated: Minimum of $50,000 in grant funds will be awarded (source does not specify maximum or average)

- Award meeting requirement (to receive award): Winners must attend the Heritage Chocolate Society (HCS) meeting on 23–24 February 2027 in the Washington, D.C., area (in-person or digitally to receive grant; attendance requirement specified for award reception)

About the Opportunity

Launched in 2013, the Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant focuses on uncovering and sharing chocolate’s role in global history, and its influence on heritage and culture. The grant supports project(s) that investigate and/or educate on the history of chocolate, uncover new chocolate innovation, examine development of cocoa science, and highlight the chocolate-making process. The program also emphasizes educational impact in the selection process. The source states that equity, inclusion, and diversity in proposals will be considered. In 2025, the program expanded to include the Classroom Resource Grant, supporting educators of K–12 students across the United States. Funding and Benefits

- Grant funding level: The source states that a minimum of $50,000 in grant funds will be awarded.

- Audience reach: The source indicates that anticipated audience reach will play an important role in determining grant recipients.

- Selection basis: The educational impact is described as central to the decision process, with attention to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

- Merit-based competition: The scholarship process is described as competitive, with awards made based on merit as judged by a panel of experts.

- Cost sharing / restrictions: Not specified in the source.

- Total pool vs. per-recipient amount: Not specified in the source beyond the minimum grant amount stated.

Who Is Eligible? The source provides eligibility requirements in general terms: - Not-for-profit organizations or non-profit 501(c)(3), or eligible individuals/researchers/organizations - Applicants must be a not-for-profit organization or Non-profit 501(c)(3) / individual researcher/an organization not operating primarily to make a profit, as described in the source. - Educators - Alternatively, applicants may be a teacher/educator in a K–12 public school in the United States. - Heritage Chocolate Society (HCS) presence - Applicants must be present at the HCS meeting either in-person or digitally to receive your grant. - Timing of project execution - Grants must be executed prior to the following HCS meeting (the source does not clarify which “following” meeting corresponds to the 2027 cycle beyond other meeting dates described). - Presentation requirement - Grant winners are required to present their results, either in-person or digitally, at the following HCS meeting after their award. If any additional eligibility criteria, exclusions, or documentation requirements exist, they are not specified in the source text provided and may be included in the official grant application guidance. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas The grant funds projects that investigate and/or educate on: - History of chocolate - Chocolate’s role in global history - Heritage and cultural influence of chocolate - New chocolate innovation - Development of cocoa science - Chocolate-making process For the education-focused expansion, the Classroom Resource Grant supports educators of K–12 students across the United States (as stated in the source). The source also notes that anticipated audience reach will be important in determining recipients. Why This Opportunity Matters This grant is designed for organizations and educators seeking to develop impactful, educational projects that connect chocolate to history, culture, and scientific development. It also highlights the importance of communication and dissemination—through immersive experiences, research projects, and publications—and ties funding to sharing results with the Heritage Chocolate Society community. Because winners must present results and meet reporting/publication review requirements (described below), applicants should plan projects with knowledge-sharing and dissemination activities built in from the start. How to Apply - Review eligibility and requirements listed on the official grant page (eligibility requirements are summarized in the source; additional requirements may be in the application materials). - Submit your proposal using the application link on the official page. - The page includes a prominent “Apply Now” call to action (the exact URL for the application is not provided in the source text).

- Submit by the deadline: 23 October 2026.

- Deadline time and time zone are not specif