Our Work

The Coffee Science Foundation brings together the coffee industry and the academic research community, supporting and guiding research to benefit the entire coffee value chain. Our work is made possible by partners whose financial support enables scientists, students, and researchers to produce openly available research. These research outputs are then shared freely with the coffee community and the public.

What CSF Brings to the Coffee Science Ecosystem

  • LISTEN

    Identify shared scientific needs and emerging challenges across the coffee sector.

  • CONNECT

    Bring together industry, researchers, and scientific capabilities globally - with stronger participation from producing countries.

  • ENABLE

    Build and fund rigorous, collaborative, pre-competitive research.

  • TRANSLATE

    Turn scientific outcomes into accessible knowledge, tools, and education.

  • AMPLIFY IMPACT

    Science that moves beyond a single organization and benefits the broader coffee community.

Our Work

Our work is carried out in partnership with both research grantees and private-sector companies. Research projects are supported through donations, which may be restricted to a specific project or unrestricted to support the broader work of the Coffee Science Foundation, as well as through corporate sponsorships.

In both cases, we work closely with our partners throughout the funding commitment. Together, we develop the research plan, monitor progress, make strategic adjustments when needed, and ensure that the resulting outcomes are pre-competitive, meaning they are broadly accessible and can benefit the entire coffee community.

FROM COMMUNITY NEED TO RESEARCH

We identify the questions and challenges that matter most to the coffee community and translate them into meaningful research opportunities. Our research agenda is shaped by two key drivers:

We engage with stakeholders across the coffee value chain through roundtables, listening groups, and community conversations. By gathering different perspectives, we identify emerging challenges, knowledge gaps, and opportunities where science can make a difference.

The SCA’s 2024 Equitable Value Distribution Survey put this approach into practice, gathering industry perspectives on how value is distributed across the coffee supply chain and identifying areas for further research with the CSF. This work has since resulted in a newly published report and a practical how-to guide.

We align our research agenda with the strategic priorities of the Specialty Coffee Association, ensuring that our work supports the broader needs and future of the coffee sector.

Together, these principles help the CSF invest in research that is relevant, collaborative, and designed to create meaningful impact for the coffee community.

At the Coffee Science Foundation, research starts by listening.

Companies

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

  • Connect with the CSF team to discuss your research interests, needs, and objectives. You can donate to or sponsor a research project from the CSF’s strategic priority pipeline, or bring forward a specific question, need, or area of curiosity.

  • Drawing on the defined research needs, the CSF develops a request for proposals (RFP) and shares it through relevant networks to identify the university or research center with the most appropriate expertise and capabilities.

  • The CSF reviews the submitted proposals against the defined research objectives, methodology, expertise, and expected outcomes. The selected proposal is then approved by the appropriate CSF governance bodies and the funding partner.

  • A research agreement is established between the funding company, the CSF, and the selected university or research center, defining the scope of work, funding, milestones, responsibilities, deliverables, and expected outcomes.

  • The project begins with a kickoff meeting bringing together all partners. The CSF manages the project throughout its life cycle, tracking milestones, facilitating communication, monitoring progress, and supporting strategic adjustments when needed.

  • The research team conducts the study according to the agreed research plan, with the CSF providing ongoing oversight and coordination throughout the project.

  • Once the research is completed, the CSF works with the research team to communicate and share the findings with the broader coffee community through free-to-access scientific papers, plain-language articles, seminars, lectures, presentations, and other knowledge-sharing channels.

University / Research Center

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

  • Explore requests for proposals (RFPs) shared through SCA channels and identify research opportunities that align with your department’s expertise and capabilities.

  • Research teams review the available RFPs and submit a proposal outlining their approach, expertise, methodology, timeline, and budget.

  • The CSF evaluates the submitted proposals based on the research objectives, scientific approach, expertise, feasibility, and potential impact of the proposed work.

  • Once a research team has been selected, the CSF and the university or research center establish the appropriate agreements, including the scope of work, budget, timeline, deliverables, and responsibilities of each partner.

  • The project begins with a kickoff meeting bringing together all project partners. The CSF manages and coordinates the project throughout its life cycle, tracking milestones, facilitating communication, monitoring progress, and supporting strategic adjustments when needed.

  • The research team conducts the study according to the agreed research plan, with the CSF providing ongoing oversight, coordination, and support throughout the project.

  • Upon completion, the CSF works with the research team to communicate and share the findings with the broader coffee community through scientific publications, articles, seminars, lectures, presentations, and other knowledge-sharing channels.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Friend of the CSF

Whether you are an individual looking to engage with the Coffee Science Foundation’s research community or you would like to make an additional contribution to support coffee science, there are several ways to get involved and make an impact.

  • Sign up for the CSF newsletter to receive updates on ongoing research projects, new findings, and opportunities to engage with the coffee science community.

  • Add a donation when joining or renewing your SCA membership and become a Friend of the Coffee Science Foundation, helping advance research that benefits the global coffee community.

  • Add a donation when registering for a World of Coffee event and help support research and knowledge that strengthens the future of coffee.

  • Make a direct contribution to support  specific CSF research projects addressing real challenges and opportunities across the coffee community.