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Scholarship Opportunities

“Working at my co-op job when I was in high school and then receiving scholarships like the SME scholarship allowed me to graduate with no debt.”
– Caitlyn Ulinski, Scholarship Recipient

For more than 40 years, the SME Education Foundation has been a leader in supporting the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. Our scholarship program awards millions of dollars to hundreds of graduating high school seniors and current college students pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree in technical fields that directly support manufacturing.

With more than 60 distinct scholarship programs, the Foundation provides merit and need-based scholarships, issues renewing and one-time awards, and seeks applications from all eligible students, including but not limited to young women and underrepresented communities. The Foundation has awarded 18 million to over 5,000 future industry leaders since 2005 and awards nearly a million dollars in scholarships each year.

Scholarship applications are accepted annually from November 1 – February 1. By submitting one application, you will be considered for every scholarship for which you are eligible. Awards range from $2,500 – $20,000.

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Scholarship Impact

$18

Million awarded

5,000+

Students supported

60+

Scholarships, 1 Application

Supporting the Next Generation Workforce

Two million manufacturing jobs need to be filled by 2030. Scholarships are the response to this challenge.

Need Application Tips?

Have questions about scholarship applications? Fill out the contact form and our team will be in touch.

Recent Scholarship Stories

Engineer Champions the Next Generation of Talent

Natalia Esparragoza, a manufacturing engineer at the Jacksonville State University (Jax State) Center for Manufacturing Support in Jacksonville, Alabama, felt it was her calling to review scholarship applications for the SME Education Foundation.

3 Majors; 1 SME Scholarship

Elijah Yates, a junior at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls, was awarded the SME Education Foundation’s 2025 Wayne F. Frost Directors Scholarship

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Connect with the SME Education Foundation

Stay up-to-date on what's happening with the foundation, the PRIME Program, upcoming student summits, scholarship opportunities and more.
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Recent Scholarship Announcements

Read Annual Report

2024 was a record year for the SME Education Foundation as Bright Minds Student Summits, SME PRIME, and the Scholarship program delivered impressive results.
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