Equipment Grant Program is sponsored by FOCUS. Offers grants for children with disabilities to obtain equipment supporting daily life participation.

The ASHRAE Undergraduate Program Equipment Grants Program provides grants to engineering, technical and architectural schools worldwide with the goal of increasing student knowledge, learning and awareness of the HVAC&R industry. Grants shall be used to fund equipment and supplies for undergraduate projects and 2-year technical school projects that focus on ASHRAE-related topics.

Grants may cover projects lasting from one academic term up to one year. Applications that create hands on teaching / demonstrations in undergraduate courses will receive higher ranking than projects that are one year undergraduate research‑based or research-like projects. Projects involving the building of working models, testing equipment, experimental teaching aids, and laboratory experiments are encouraged.

Projects only involving data collection, computer modeling or computer programming will receive lower funding priority. Computer hardware will not be funded; such as: However, specialized computer software (Data Acquisition Software) only utilized with the above listed project is acceptable. When the project is complete, the student(s) will submit a final report to ASHRAE.

Additionally, full-year projects will require a mid-year progress report. The grant application must be submitted by the faculty member(s) responsible for the project. The application may be made from any engineering, architecture, or engineering technology department; however, the project must involve an ASHRAE-related topic.

The faculty member(s) and student(s) responsible for the project are NOT required to be members of ASHRAE. The grant is made to the university solely for the support of the materials required for the project in an amount not to exceed $25,000 (USD) per calendar year for the highest graded project and not to exceed $5,000 (USD) per project per calendar year for all subsequent awarded projects.

University overhead, faculty or student salaries, travel expenses, and other non-equipment items will not be funded. Funding from other sources, including in-kind contributions, is encouraged and will receive a higher ranking. The faculty advisor(s) will submit the application to ASHRAE on behalf of the student(s) who are responsible for completing the project.

To be considered, ALL questions must be answered on the electronic application, including a complete project description and a projected itemized budget. Out of schools that are selected for grant awards, judges will award the two highest ranking teams (two students per team max) a trip to the Winter Meeting Student Program to present their project to students. The trip consists of transportation and two nights stay in the hotel.

Information will be included in award letters. Download the 2025-26 Undergraduate Equipment Grant Application Form and submit electronically. You can create an account so that you can save your progress and complete the form later (optional).

However, you are required to submit both the word file and the online form to complete your application. The electronic submission must be received by December 15.

For guidance on the application form and judging process, please be sure to watch the videos below Applications will be evaluated based upon: ASHRAE related topic (10%) Accurate funding request (10%) Adherence to guidelines (10%) Long Term Student Impact (10%) Student involved with ASHRAE (10%) Number of students participating (10%) Equipment used for future undergraduate course work (10%) Align with DEI initiatives (5%) Funding from other sources (5%) Align with current ASHRAE presidential initiative (5%) First time application (5%) Bonus points will be awarded to any first time applicants and any projects that receive match funding from industry.

Applicants will receive notification of their application's status by March 1, 2026. An unaccepted project proposal may be revised and re-submitted the following year. Funds will be available to the grant recipients on or after August 1, 2026 (if your project won't begin until after fall semester, you may receive your funds at a later date).

Any funded project not completed (as indicated by non-receipt of a mid-year progress or final report) will result in the removal of the school from consideration for additional grants. Jeanette McCray | jmccray@ashrae.

org ASHRAE – Manager-Young Professionals & Students ASHRAE Undergraduate Program Equipment Grants Recipients Grant Showcase – Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai Grant Showcase – Illinois Institute of Technology Grant Showcase – Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Grant Showcase – Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Grant Showcase – Kavita Dhanawade Grant Showcase – Kavita Dhanawade (2) Grant Showcase – Kavita Dhanawade (3) Grant Showcase – Ganesh Agalave Grant Showcase – Hessam Taherian Grant Showcase – Nick Roberts Grant Showcase – Steffen Peuker École de technologie supérieure - Monfet Grove City College - Bardy Grove City College - Scroll Compressor to Expander Conversion for Waste Heat Recovery Oklahoma State University - Cook Oklahoma State University - Yarborough University of WIndsor - Ting Past Winter Conference Presentations Sinclair Community College