MAD Academy is open to anyone pursuing a career in hospitality, including employees and business owners. There are no eligibility requirements or prior qualifications required. Our diverse alumni community comprises over 1,000 individuals from more than 60 countries and various backgrounds. Many of them are established professionals representing a wide range of businesses, including R&D teams, large chain operators, global hotel groups, fine-dining establishments, and municipal canteens. The majority of our alumni, however, are career professionals working in local restaurants, coffee shops, or cocktail bars, eager to advance in their careers.
MAD Academy offers two types of programs: core programs (typically 4 days in duration), and custom programs.
- The programs typically take place in the Fall of each year, in central Copenhagen and runs for 4 days, 9:00 to 17:00(ish) CEST.
- The program accommodates up to 40 participants per week.
- Moving participants along an immersive learning journey, each day builds fundamental knowledge, practice with tools, and inspiring mindsets from guest lecturers and MAD Staff.
Applications are now open and close June 12, 17:00 CEST, 2026.
As our programs typically start on Monday or Tuesday, we recommend you arrive in Copenhagen at least one day before. This will give you time to settle in and get familiar with the city.
We recommend staying in the central neighborhoods of Nørrebro, Vesterbro, Indre By, Frederiksberg, Østerbro, or Christianshavn. Copenhagen is a compact city with excellent public transport, and it’s very bike-friendly—a great way to experience the city like a true local.
Here are a few conveniently located accommodation options:
—Hotels: Villa Copenhagen, Coco Hotel.
—Hostels: Generator, Steel House, Urban House.
Airbnb also has many wonderful rooms and apartments available close to the city center.
Tailored to businesses, teams, member organizations, or any group looking to educate their audience. Custom programs can be personalized in nearly every aspect:
- Custom programs can be delivered in Copenhagen or a location of your choice, at a time that suits your schedule.
- They can be one-time training sessions or designed for ongoing development.
- Custom programs are flexible, addressing the specific topics, challenges, and needs of your organization or team.
- Costs for custom programs vary based on your preferences and budget.
MAD Academy’s programs, both core and custom, feature a blend of permanent faculty, guest lecturers, and expert consultants. Our instructors range from ice-core scientists to farmers, and burger chain founders to fashion CEOs. They are creative minds, hospitality leaders, and craftspeople from science, industry, and academia.
MAD Academy programs are not accredited or linked to competencies set forth by any other organisation. At the end of each program we provide our version of a certificate as evidence for you to show to your employer or supporters in case you need reimbursement.
Our core programs are run in Copenhagen, Denmark. Custom programs take place across the globe.
Core programs typically run for 4 days, 9:00 to 17:00(ish) CEST.
There is a maximum of 40 seats in each four-day program. Custom program attendance varies based on your needs.
The tuition for our core programs is 9.588 DKK, excluding Danish VAT. This fee covers tuition, course materials, and meals during school hours. Students are responsible for covering their own expenses related to travel, accommodation, and personal spending while in Copenhagen.
Scholarships cover some portion or the full tuition fee, plus course materials and meals during school hours as described above. Scholarships do not cover transport to Copenhagen, accommodation costs, or spending money. Read more about our scholarships here.
MAD scholarships are awarded with the aim of creating positive change in the hospitality industry and beyond. Recipients are selected based on their perceived need for financial support to attend MAD Academy and their demonstrated ability and intent to drive meaningful change, as expressed in their written applications.
For example, if you hold a high-level position such as the executive head chef or front-of-house manager of a large chain or hotel, you might be less likely to receive a scholarship, as your salary would presumably allow you to save for the needed funds (indicating your commitment to change). In such cases, your employer, who stands to benefit greatly from your continued education, might also contribute. Conversely, if you are a junior employee working for a small independent business, you are more likely to receive a scholarship based on the same reasoning.
We trust that you understand that applying for and accepting a scholarship when you don’t genuinely require it could deprive someone who would otherwise be unable to attend MAD Academy without that support. You can read more about scholarships here.
This year, YETI® has also partnered with MAD Academy to award two Environment & Sustainability scholarships to hospitality professionals who are eager to build more sustainable practices into their work. Read more details here.
Yes! Our programs feature a roster of brilliant local businesses and a lot of delicious food and beverages. When you attend, you’ll have the chance to meet restaurateurs, chefs, waitstaff, brewers, growers, fermenters, and foragers. We’re excited that our work continues to bring hundreds of ambitious people (and their appetites) to Copenhagen.
MAD Academy provides lunch on every day of the program and plenty of coffee and snacks in between. Dinner is not provided or included; instead, we encourage participants to explore Copenhagen and support local hospitality.
We know plans can change, and we’re sorry when they do. The following refund schedule applies, based on the date written notice of cancellation is received:
- Within 7 days of acceptance, full refund of tuition, less a 625 DKK administrative fee
- From day 8 after acceptance, up to 30 days before the program: 50% refund of tuition
- Less than 30 days before the program, or after it has started: no refund
Where possible, we’ll also work with you to defer your participation to a future edition, subject to availability and MAD’s approval.
In the unlikely event that MAD Academy cancels the program, we’ll refund your tuition in full. We are unable to reimburse any other expenses you may have incurred, such as flights or accommodation.
As scholarships are highly selective, please let us know at your earliest convenience so that it may be reallocated to another worthy recipient.
Where possible, we’ll also work with you to defer your participation to a future edition, subject to availability and MAD’s approval.
In the unlikely event that MAD Academy cancels the program, we are unable to reimburse any expenses you may have incurred, such as flights or accommodation.
Once you are accepted to MAD Academy, you will receive an email with a link to pay your invoice. Once that deadline passes, we will release your seat to another applicant. These dates will be outlined in the email confirming your acceptance.
Payment plans are not available at this time. For any questions or concerns about invoicing and payment, please reach out to us at academy@madfeed.co
If you have specific questions about MAD Academy, please reach out to us here: academy@madfeed.co