Mars, AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate accepting applications for 2026 Chocolate History Grant
Mars and AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate announced Tuesday they are accepting applications for the 2026 Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant, which provides funding for research, education and scholarship on the history and science of chocolate.
Submissions will be accepted through Oct. 26, 2025, according to the company. The grant, launched in 2013, has provided more than $600,000 to 32 institutions for 63 projects exploring chocolate history, cocoa science and education.
Last year, $58,900 in funding was awarded to five organizations, including Historic Philadelphia’s Betsy Ross House, the University of Florida, Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education, Conner Prairie Museum in Indiana and The Lovett School in Atlanta, which received the first classroom resource grant.
“Every year we are impressed by the depth and breadth of grant applications and the projects proposed,” said Kelly Lynch, marketing director, Mars Wrigley Premium Brands. “There is no shortage of exciting and educational chocolate-based research and programming to share with the world. Mars and AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate are honored to support these inspiring initiatives.”
The program supports projects that explore the history of chocolate, the chocolate-making process or cocoa science, with a focus on anticipated audience reach. Teachers of K-12 students are also encouraged to apply for a classroom resource grant.
Awards will be determined by a panel of experts, with priority given to educational impact as well as proposals that address equity, inclusion and diversity.
Applications can be submitted online at americanheritagechocolate.com/grants/grant-application.
