Here’s something to stir your curiosity: Coffee Project NY is bringing their Women Roasters Scholarship to Medellín, Colombia, in 2026. The initiative, which has trained over 20 women globally since 2022, is shifting its focus to origin countries where barriers to education and opportunity are stark. This move isn’t just about expanding access—it’s a direct response to the industry’s persistent gender gaps.
The coffee world has long been male-dominated, with men comprising over 75% of U.S. roasters, according to Cafecita Coffee. Women in the field earn 16% less on average, a disparity rooted in outdated stereotypes about physical strength and machinery. Coffee roasting, in particular, has remained a gatekept space, despite women’s central roles in coffee production. Coffee Project NY’s scholarship aims to flip that script by offering training, mentorship, and certification through the Specialty Coffee Association’s Roasting Foundation course.
This year’s expansion to Colombia marks a strategic shift. Last year, visa restrictions prevented two students from attending classes in New York, prompting founder Chi Sum Ngai to bring the program to Medellín. Partnering with Juan Medina, a fourth-generation coffee farmer, the initiative will host its first class at Coffee Five Project’s lab. “We’re not just teaching roasting—we’re building leaders,” Ngai says. The scholarship’s reach now spans El Salvador, the Philippines, Vietnam, and beyond, with Colombia’s vast coffee heritage making it a natural next step.
The move underscores a broader industry reckoning. By centering origin countries, Coffee Project NY is challenging the dominance of U.S.-centric coffee education. For women in these regions, the scholarship offers a rare chance to break into higher-paying roles and leadership positions. Applications open March 1, 2026, with results announced in April.
How might the industry change if women’s expertise shaped the next generation of roasters.
What if the future of coffee leadership looked different—rooted in diversity, not dominance? How might the industry change if women’s expertise shaped the next generation of roasters?
Questions & Answers
When does Coffee Project NY’s Women Roasters Scholarship go to Colombia?
The scholarship program travels to Colombia in early 2025, offering selected women roasters hands-on training and mentorship in Colombian coffee production.
How many women roasters are selected for the scholarship?
Up to 10 women roasters are selected annually through a competitive application process to participate in the Colombia scholarship program.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.
