DEARBORN, Mich., August 21, 2007 — Reinforcing a commitment to the education of its future workforce, the Ford Motor Company Fund announced that it will be awarding two grants, totaling $125,000, to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation. Since 1981, Ford has donated $1,733,000 to the SME Education Foundation for scholarships and other engineering education programs.

“Ford’s generous donation will help put youth on the right pathway to becoming the next generation of engineers and technology workers in the United States,” said Glen Pearson, president of the SME Education Foundation. “Their ongoing commitment will help ensure an effective, efficient and innovative workforce.”

One grant awards $75,000 to support the SME Education Foundation’s Science Technology & Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) Programs. STEPS is a one-week summer camp that gives middle-school students a look into the exciting world of science and technology through hands-on activities. This early exposure helps young people plan ahead and take the necessary courses in high school to prepare them for engineering degree programs.

An additional $50,000 grant will fund the SME Education Foundation’s Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (PAS) Scholarship. The SME Ford PAS Scholarship is awarded to graduating students of Ford’s PAS program – an award-winning high school program created by Ford that links classroom learning with the challenges students will face in post-secondary education and the workplace (www.fordpas.org). Former PAS students who are applying to college and want to pursue a degree in technology or engineering can apply for this annual $10,000 PAS Scholarship, which can be used at any accredited college or university in the United States.

Over the past three years, the SME Education Foundation has awarded 13 Ford PAS scholarships. The $10,000 is paid to students over 4 years provided they maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average.

“Ford is proud to collaborate with the SME Education Foundation," said Mike Schmidt, Contributions Director for Education, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Ford’s Partnership for Advanced Studies (PAS) Scholarship and the STEPS Programs are two ways to get youth engaged and help fill America’s workforce shortage in our industry.”

The SME Education Foundation has tools to inspire, support and prepare young people for careers in manufacturing. For more information about these and other SME Education Foundation programs, go to www.sme.org/foundation.

About the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation is one of the nation’s leading non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing manufacturing education. Its approach is threefold: to inspire youth to pursue careers in manufacturing; to support students studying for a career in an engineering-related field; and prepare these students through its Manufacturing Education Plan grant program in colleges and technical schools. The Foundation has provided more than $21 million in grants, scholarships and awards. The Education Foundation was created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1979 as a means of transforming manufacturing education in North American colleges and universities. It also has an award winning Web site to foster interest in manufacturing: www.manufacturingiscool.com. For more information on the foundation, visit www.sme.org/foundation.

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If you have any questions or comments, please contact the SME Education Foundation by phone (313) 425-3300, e-mail foundation@sme.org, or Fax: (313) 425-3411