S.H.I.N.E. Scholarship Application
Scholarships Help Inspire Nurturing Education
These Funds support S.H.I.N.E. Scholarships awarded by the AIFD Foundation:
Marie Ackerman AIFD Endowed Fund
Michi Burrell AIFD Endowed Fund
Bobbi Ecker Blatchford AIFD Endowed Fund
Joe Smith AIFD Endowed Fund
Frankie Shelton AIFD Endowed Fund
Matt Wood AIFD Endowed Fund
APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY
The applicant must be a floral designer interested in experiencing continued education through a mentorship in a specialized floral industry concentration. This expertise in a specific field of interest offers a rare opportunity to learn from the absolute best in the floral industry.
2026-2027 SPECIALIZED FLORAL INDUSTRY FIELDS OF STUDY
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Product Development with Charlie Groppetti AIFD and Todd Smith.
A stay of five business days mutually agreed upon between the Spring of 2026 and the Spring of 2027.
RETAIL AND EVENT PLANNING
Retail and Event Planning with Chris Norwood AIFD.
A stay of five business days mutually agreed upon between the Spring of 2026 and the Spring of 2027.
MASS MARKETING
"The Life of a Flower from the Earth to the Market” with Paul Miller AIFD and Sunshine Bouquet Company.
From Miami, travel to Bogota, Colombia, to visit laboratories, farms, and greenhouses. Study plants, post-harvest production, processing, and packing. Design a project, hands-on. Acquire a knowledge of Sunshine Bouquet’s commitment to social responsibility, conservation, and the environment. Upon returning to Miami, experience production stateside and the shipment process throughout North America while visiting stores where the bouquets are sold. All of this and more during a stay of five days, mutually agreed upon between the Spring of 2026 and the Spring of 2027.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The applicant must complete and submit this online application.
The applicant may review and update the application prior to submission.
The applicant is required to provide the following supporting documents:
-Recent photograph
-Three professional letters of recommendation
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS
The applicant is required to email the following documents to aifdfoundation@gmail.com:
Your and your spouse/partner's most recent W-2 and/or 1099
APPLICATION DEADLINE
All applications must be received on or before October 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
CONFIDENTIAL
The application information remains confidential.
NON-TRANSFERABLE
This scholarship is non-transferable.