Mars accepting applications for chocolate history research grant

Chocolate maker hopes to spur chocolate exploration with Chocolate History Research and Investigative Studies Grant.

Mars Chocolate North America is again planning to fund a grant that it hopes will spur research into the history of chocolate.

The program, in its third year, provides funding for innovation in the areas of chocolate history research, scholarship and education. And Mars is currently accepting submissions for its 2015 Chocolate History Research and Investigative Studies Grant, through Oct. 1, 2015.

A minimum of three one-year grants will be awarded for a total sum of $30,000.

Two of the grants will be focused on chocolate programming development or expansion at living history, historic or museum locations in North America; while one award will be for new research in chocolate history.

"At Mars, we want to encourage a deeper understanding of chocolate's role through the course of time in shaping our culture and heritage across North America," says Gail Broadright, director Mars sponsorships and properties. "Our previous grant winners have uncovered evidence of chocolate's deep roots in our past and have used those stories to elevate their visitor's experience and educate people on chocolate's roles in the history of the Americas."

Submissions can be made on theAmerican Heritage c hocolate website. American Heritage chocolate is a line of authenticly historic tasting chocolate products based on an ingredient list from the 1750's. Developed by Mars Chocolate North America, it brings chocolate's sweet history to life for visitors to cultural institutions throughout North America.

The Chocolate History Research and Investigative Studies Grant winners will be announced at the annual meeting of the Colonial Chocolate Society — a group formed in 2003 with the mission to investigate the history of chocolate in the Americas — held Nov. 16-18, 2015 in Washington, D.C.

Previous grant winners include Betsy Ross House/Historic Philadelphia Inc, Genesee Country Museum, Fort Ticonderoga, Old North Church Foundation and Old Salem Museum and Gardens.

Crystal Lindell, Former editor-in-chief of Candy Industry Magazine. While here she has worked on Candy Industry Magazine, Food Engineering Magazine and Food Safety Strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. And her favorite breakfast is a cup of espresso and Twix bar.