Nearly 20 cannabis industry brands, trade groups and educational programs are coming together to help the next generation of cannabis leaders get a foot in the door with the Higher Potential Scholarship program, featuring more than $25,000 in total awards and opportunities.
Led by accessories brand DaySavers, this coalition is putting serious money and resources behind developing the next wave of cannabis professionals — because the industry needs more passionate, skilled people and it’s not always easy to break into.
Investment in People
The Higher Potential Scholarship tackles something that is needed in cannabis: connecting passionate people with the resources, education and networks to actually build careers in this space. With more than $25,000 in total awards, the program covers everything from educational opportunities and professional certifications to industry mentorships, conference access and a $1,420 cash grand prize.
What makes this coalition unique is the wide range of industry names involved. There are manufacturing and cultivation companies working alongside educators, media outlets and service providers.
It’s the kind of cross-industry collaboration that can truly build something bigger than any one company could do alone.
Award Portfolio
The scholarship coalition includes established industry leaders offering specialized opportunities, such as:
- DaySavers: $1,420 cash grand prize, plus one opportunity scholarship
Educational Partners:
- SUNY Niagara: Ten cannabis course scholarships plus five SUNY Cannabis Conference tickets
- Ganjier: Three free seats in its Product Specialist certification program
- Operator Academy: Twenty-five tuition-free educational seats with starter toolkits
- Veterinary Cannabis Society: Eight seats to veterinary cannabis course
- Green CulturED: Five tuition-free seats per state, available in nearly 20 states, or a Workforce Development Program of your choice
Industry Access and Networking:
- Benzinga: Five event passes to 2025 and 2026 shows (21+)
- NECANN: Event passes to New Jersey, New York, Boston, Maryland and Vermont events (21+)
- Marijuana Venture: Tickets to Interchange events, mentorships and media features in publications (21+ for events)
- Smoke Temple: Four passes to MJBizCon 2025 (21+)
- Fill-a Blunts: Four pairs of event passes to NECANN New Jersey and Champs Texas/Florida (21+)
- CannaCon: Five pairs of event passes to CannaCon Minnesota and Washington in 2025, plus 2026 shows (21+).
- The Cannabis Alliance A pair of tickets to the 2026 Washington Cannabis Summit (21+)
Professional Development:
- Custom Cones USA: Two mentorships with founders Harrison Bard or Fredrik Rading
- The Mycelia Group: Two strategic cannabis business development opportunities with founder and CEO Jessica Ferranti
- Connecticut Ombudsman: Five in-state mentorships and three out-of-state mentorships
- The Network of Applied Pharmacognosy: Two mentorships with cannabis scientists and researchers Dr. Miyabe Shields or Dr. Riley Kirk;
- Sage Advice: Three six-month professional memberships;
- CannaSexual: Two sex and cannabis mentorships with founder and award-winning sexologist Ashley Manta;
- The Canna Boss Babes: Multiple consulting and mentorship sessions with CEO and host of The Canna Boss Babes podcast, Ishqa Hillman
- Camp Laughing Grass: Two mentorships in cannabis tourism with Trinity Madison; and
- Cannabis & Tech Today: Consulting services, internships, tickets to partner organization events and subscriptions from C&TT
- Ganjactivist: coming soon!
No BS Application Process
Here’s what’s refreshing: you don’t need a perfect resume or stellar grades to apply. Many of the most successful people in cannabis didn’t follow traditional paths. All you need is genuine passion for the plant and clear ideas about where you want to go with it, along with a way in.
The application is straightforward — just a 500-word essay about your background, goals and connection to cannabis. That’s it. No jumping through hoops or trying to meet someone else’s criteria.
Application Timeline
The scholarship program is accepting applications through September 1, 2025, though some of the opportunities, such as the SUNY Niagara scholarships have mid-August deadlines, so be sure to enter soon. With more than 100 individual awards available, the coalition anticipates significant interest from students, career-changers and industry professionals seeking advancement opportunities.
One recipient will receive the $1,420 grand prize from DaySavers along with their choice of coalition awards, while additional winners will be matched with opportunities aligned to their specific interests and career objectives.
Coalition Foundation
With such a diverse coalition participating in the Higher Potential Scholarship Coalition, there is truly something for everyone interested in becoming part of the industry. From scientific research and product development to business strategy and regulatory compliance and even learning the tricks of the cultivation and budtending trades, the opportunities in cannabis are endless.
Many coalition members are founded by entrepreneurs who transitioned from traditional industries, bringing established business expertise to the cannabis sector, now willing to share what they’ve learned to help the industry reach its multi-billion-dollar potential.
Application details and full program information are available through the program’s official website: https://daysavers.com/higher-potential-scholarship/