Plastics & Polymer Education Grants

The Plastics and Polymer Education Grants are awarded by the SPE Foundation (Society of Plastics Engineers) to support students and educational programs in plastics engineering, polymer science, chemistry, mechanical and chemical engineering, and related fields. Individual awards typically range from $1,000 to $25,000.

Eligible applicants include educational institutions, schools, and nonprofits offering programs that advance careers in the plastics industry. All applicants must be in good academic standing. The SPE Foundation does not fund religious programs or organizations that restrict membership based on protected characteristics.

The application for the 2026-2027 academic year is open with a deadline of April 1, 2026. In 2025, the Foundation awarded $304,000 to 81 students across 45 universities.

SPE Foundation Scholarships | SPE SPE Foundation Scholarships SPE Foundation Scholarships SPE Foundation 2025 Scholarship Awards Recipients Announced The SPE Foundation is proud to announce awarding $304,000 in scholarships to 81 students representing 45 universities, 32+ degree programs, and 5 countries across 4 continents, including 23 U.S. states.

Each of these outstanding students has shown a clear passion for the plastics industry and a commitment to shaping its future. Whether majoring in plastics engineering, polymer science, chemistry, physics, mechanical or chemical engineering, industrial design, or even communications and journalism, they are all pursuing paths that contribute meaningfully to the world of plastics.

Their academic journeys reflect the commitment and innovation that define our industry—and we’re proud to support them. List of 2025 Award Recipients The SPE Foundation offers numerous scholarships to students who have demonstrated or expressed an interest in the plastics industry. They must be majoring in or taking courses that would be beneficial to a career in the plastics industry.

This would include, but is not limited to, plastics engineering, polymer science, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, journalism or communications. All applicants must be in good standing with their colleges. The application for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open.

Deadline to apply is April 1, 2026. For Plastics Pioneers Association Scholarship Tips for Success, review the PPA Applicant Guidelines document . For Western Plastics Pioneers Association Scholarship Tips for Success, review the WPP Applicant Guidelines document .

Student membership in SPE is free and you must be a member to apply for a scholarship. Not an SPE Student member? Join today!

Applications for our 2020 scholarships open December 1, 2019 Start Your Application Today 2025 SPE Foundation Scholarships Foundation Undergraduate General Scholarships Norm Kakarala SPE Detroit Section Scholarship Thomas E. Powers SPE Detroit Section Scholarship Robert G. Dailey SPE Detroit Section Scholarship Robert E.

Cramer Product Design & Development Division Scholarship SPE Vinyl Plastics Division Scholarship ALPS Inspection Engineering Excellence Scholarship Applicants must be full-time University of Cincinnati students pursuing their bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. ALPS Inspection Scholarship Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students with experience in blow molding, packaging, and/or recycling.

Applicants must have a 3. 0 GPA on a 4. 0 scale.

Arthur & Carl Haas Scholarship Residents of Michigan or those studying in the State of Michigan who have expressed an interest in plastics and are majoring in or taking courses beneficial to a career in the plastics industry [Foundation General Scholarship]. SPE Cleveland Section Scholarship U.S. citizen high school senior or student in a two- or four-year college technical program or Masters/Doctorate program.

HS seniors must prove acceptance at college. Applicants must have ties to the NE Ohio area. Preference given to students with a parent who is a member of SPE.

Must demonstrate expressed interest in plastics and be majoring in or taking courses beneficial to a career in the plastics industry.

Crain Communications Bill Bregar Memorial Scholarship Established on behalf of the Bregar Family by Crain Communications and the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Crain Communications Bill Bregar Memorial Scholarship supports aspiring journalists and business communicators in plastics and manufacturing industries.

Brightmark Scholarship in Plastics Circularity Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students attending Georgia Institute of Technology pursuing a degree beneficial to the plastics industry with research or experience in sustainability and/or circularity. Applicants must be in good standing with at least a 3. 0 cumulative GPA.

An essay with examples of work or research done in the field of sustainability or circularity including a project, paper, presentation, volunteer work, or internship is required. Scholarship awards may be used by the recipient to defray costs of tuition, fees, books, tools, required instructional supplies, technical plastics/polymer conference participation, and other eligible expenses. Applications are due April 30, 2024.

Donald McCoy Chicago SPE Scholarship Full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are residents of Illinois and attending college in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, or Michigan. Dupont™ Tedlar® Scholarship Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students studying in the continental U.S. who have expressed an interest in plastics and are majoring in or taking courses beneficial to a career in the plastics industry.

Gulf Coast Hurricane Scholarship Undergraduate students who are residents of and attending school in FL, AL, MS, LA or TX and who have expressed an interest in plastics and are majoring in or taking courses beneficial to a career in the plastics industry [Foundation General Scholarship]. Harold Giles SPE Composites Division Scholarship One undergraduate and one graduate student.

An essay is required documenting experience in the composites industry including courses taken, research conducted, or jobs held. No previous awardee can apply for the scholarship. Candidates must have at least two semesters left in their program when the award is issued.

Dr. Matthew and Mrs. Patricia Harthcock Applied Plastics Research Scholarship Preference will be given to full-time graduate students who are working towards a Ph. D. technical/scientific degree that is beneficial to a career in the plastics/polymer industry and committed to conducting applied research in polymer/plastics with the potential of creating new capabilities in existing products or new products which will benefit society.

Applicants should be U.S. citizens with a 3. 5 GPA or higher. Additional preference will be given to students who have demonstrated the use and value of structural, morphological, and other polymer characterization approaches to significantly impact the research and/or are working on products impacting the automotive or aviation industry.

Irv Poston SPE Detroit Section Scholarship Graduate students pursuing a career in plastics with preference given to those with experience in the automotive industry. SPE Injection Molding Division Scholarship Undergraduate students with experience in the injection molding industry who can document their experience through courses taken, research conducted, or jobs held.

SPE Automotive and Composites Conference & Exhibition (ACCE) Scholarship Two scholarships for full-time graduate students, one graduate or undergraduate junior or senior. Students must be in good standing and pursuing a degree in Polymer Science, Composites, Plastics or a related engineering discipline.

A two-page essay is required showing planned work and how it will benefit composites in an automotive or other ground transportation application. One recommendation must come from the student's advisor or mentor. Scholarship recipients are required to present their research project at the next ACCE conference.

Dr. Jackie Rehkopf Scholarship Full-time graduate students are given preference. If no graduate students qualify, undergraduate students will be considered. Students must be in good academic standing and pursuing a degree in Polymer Science, Composites, Plastics or a related engineering discipline.

A two-page essay is required showing planned work and how it will benefit composites in an automotive or other ground transportation application. One letter of recommendation must come from the student's advisor or mentor. Scholarship recipients are required to present work at an SPE technical conference and/or have it published in an SPE technical journal.

Carrie Fox Solin SPE Blow Molding Division Memorial Scholarship Applicants must be enrolled full time in a degreed undergraduate or graduate discipline in science, technology, or engineering that is associated with the Plastics Industry including Plastics Engineering, Plastic Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Materials Science. Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.

0 or higher (4. 0 scale). Applicants must have an accepted offer to work, as a Co-op or Intern, at a Blow Molding company or company that services the Blow Molding industry.

Alternately the applicant must have completed a Co-op or Intern in the previous year at a Blow Molding company or company that services the Blow Molding industry. The applicant must provide written documentation of the offer or experience letter from the employer, stating the type of work they will be performing or have performed as an intern. The duration of the internship must be at least 2 months.

Applications for this scholarship are due May 31, 2025.

Future Blow Molding Professionals Internship Scholarship (SPE Blow Molding Division) Applicants must be enrolled full time in the U.S. or Canada in a degreed undergraduate or graduate science, technology, or engineering discipline that is associated with the plastics industry including Plastics Engineering, Plastic Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Materials Science.

Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3. 0 or higher (4. 0 scale).

Applicants must have an accepted offer to work, as a Co-op or Intern, at a Blow Molding company or company that services the Blow Molding industry. Alternately, the applicant must have completed a Co-op or Internship in the previous year at a Blow Molding company or company that services the Blow Molding industry.

The applicant must provide written documentation of the offer or experience letter from the employer, stating the type of work they will be performing or have performed as an intern. The duration of the internship must be at least 2 months. Applications for this scholarship are due May 31, 2026.

SPE Pittsburgh Section Scholarship Undergraduate students with at least one year of college completed. Applicants must have attended high school in the greater-Pittsburgh area. MasterGraphics Skolaski Scholarship Specific preference will be given to students who are enrolled full-time and have an interest and/or experience in 3D printing and additive manufacturing.

This scholarship honors Steve Skolaski who led MasterGraphics in its formative years. Steve established a culture of innovation and client focus at MasterGraphics. Most importantly, he approached both business and life with altruism, prioritizing the needs of others.

Jonathan Meckley Memorial Scholarship In honor of Professor Jonathan Meckley, this scholarship recognizes Penn State Behrend students pursuing a degree in the Plastics Engineering Technology program. Michael P. Sepe Memorial Scholarship This scholarship honors Michael Sepe’s tremendous contributions to the plastics industry as an expert, teacher, consultant, and esteemed colleague.

Specific preference is given to students who have an interest and/or experience in injection molding.

Willi Müller SPE Blow Molding Division Scholarship Full-time undergraduates who attend schools in the U.S. or Canada in a science, technology, or engineering discipline that is associate with the Plastics Industry: Plastics Engineering, Plastic Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Materials Science.

An essay is required explaining the importance of blow molding to the technical parts and packaging industries and any work/co-op/internships completed in the past. Adam Dreiblatt SPE Extrusion Division Scholarship U.S. or Canadian citizens in their second or third year of an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in polymers, materials science, or plastics engineering are eligible to apply.

Preference will be given to students pursuing careers in plastics, rubber, or polymer processing, with special consideration for those developing skills in twin-screw extrusion processing. This scholarship honors Adam Dreiblatt, a dedicated member of the Extrusion Division Board, an expert in twin-screw extrusion, a passionate educator, and a valued friend to many.

Lew Erwin SPE Extrusion Division Scholarship PhD candidate or Senior/Masters research in polymer extrusion. Thesis/journal or conference paper/project report topic must be included in application. One letter of recommendation must come from the student's advisor or mentor.

Scholarship recipient must present a paper on their research at ANTEC. Russell J. Gould SPE Extrusion Division Scholarship US or Canadian citizen.

Students in their second or third year with a GPA of 3. 0 or higher who are pursuing an AS or BS in polymers, materials science, or plastics engineering, and who are focusing on a career in plastics, or rubber or polymer processing/engineering. An essay is required detailing the benefit of receiving this scholarship.

Ed Steward SPE Extrusion Division Scholarship High school senior or college freshman with a GPA of 3. 0 or higher studying at a U.S. or Canadian college with a focus on polymers or plastics engineering, pursuing an AS or BS in mechanical, chemical, or manufacturing engineering and pursuing a career in plastic or rubber extrusion processing as a technician or engineer.

Must be active in student SPE chapter if one exists and submit an essay report on the benefit of receiving this scholarship. SPE Flexible Packaging Division Scholarship Undergraduate students in a four-year technology, engineering, or science program related to flexible packaging. Preference wil be given to Juniors or Seniors with a GPA of 3.

0 or higher. Applicants must document their experience in flexible packaging including courses taken, research conducted, or jobs held. Recipients will submit an essay stating how they will benefit from receiving the scholarship.

Jay Gardiner Memorial Scholarship The Jay Gardiner Memorial Scholarship recognizes students pursuing a degree beneficial to a plastics-related career. Special consideration will be given to students actively involved as first responders or whose parents are first responders. Plastics Hall of Fame Scholarship Awarded to numerous recipients at $5,000 each.

Eligible applicants must be full-time undergraduate, technical, or graduate students who intend to pursue a career connected in or with the plastics industry.

Students should be majoring in or taking coursework beneficial to a plastics/polymer industry career, including majors such as business, environmental studies, history, political science, mold making, plastic technology, etc. Applicants must maintain good academic standing, recognize the importance of helping solve the current and future plastic societal challenges, and support the Plastics Hall of Fame vision and mission.

Plastics Pioneers Association (PPA) Scholarship PPA has awarded as many as 19, $3,000 scholarships per year for more than 25 years. Applicants must be American citizens (born or naturalized) and must be undergraduate students in a college baccalaureate program, a 2-year Associates degree program, or degree program from an accredited trade school.

Fields of study may include plastics engineering, plastics technology, polymer science, chemical, industrial, and materials engineering; packaging, manufacturing support, mold making, mold design, product design, and other similar courses, including the management of businesses in these fields.

Applications are rigorously reviewed by a panel of plastics industry pioneers who, in addition to objective items, are looking to learn about the person, their history and their values. This information is derived by the reviewers from the student’s essay and letters of recommendation and account for 48% of the score.

SPE Polymer Modifiers & Additives Division (PMAD) Scholarship Graduate or Undergraduate students with experience in the PMAD industry who can document their experience including courses taken, research conducted, or jobs held. Salvatore J.

Monte SPE Thermoplastic Materials & Foams Division Scholarship Undergraduate and graduate students with experience in the thermoplastic materials & foams industry who can document their experience including courses taken, research conducted, or jobs held.

SPE Thermoplastics Elastomers Technical Interest Group Scholarship Must be a rising full-time Junior, Senior, or graduate student currently studying at a North American college or university and majoring in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Material Science, or an engineering discipline (excluding civil engineering, industrial engineering, or mechanical engineering).

Essay must detail courses taken, research conducted, or jobs held related to thermoplastics elastomers. Letters of recommendation may not be more than 1 year old. Undergraduate transcripts required for MS students.

Past winners are not qualified. Western Plastics Pioneers Scholarship Undergraduate students who have expressed an interest in plastics and are majoring in or taking courses beneficial to a career in the plastics industry including those enrolled in AS or technical degree programs and are attending school in AZ, CA, CO, OR, or WA.

Previous SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients September 23, 2024— SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced September 25, 2023— SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced September 15, 2022— SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced August 18, 2021— SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced September 22, 2020— SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced August 29, 2019— SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced December 12, 2018— SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced September 19, 2017— SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced October 3, 2016— SPE Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced SPE Foundation Contact Information You can contact the SPE Foundation at foundation@4spe.

org . Plastics Pioneers Association Scholarship Opportunity For other scholarship opportunities in plastics please see plasticspioneers. org/scholarships/ Support Student Scholarships Senior Research Engineer, Global Materials Science A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy Kim drives technology programs at Braskem to develop advanced polyolefins with improved recyclability and sustainability.

As Principal Investigator on a REMADE-funded collaboration, Kim leads a diverse industry-academic team that is developing a process to recycle elastomers as secondary feedstock. Kim has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Cornell. She is an inventor on more than 25 patents and applications for novel polyolefin technologies.

Kim is on the Board of Directors of SPE’s Thermoplastic Materials & Foams Division, where she has served as Education Chair and Councilor. Assistant Professor, Plastics Engineering Technology Penn State Erie, The Behrend College A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy Gamini has a BS and PhD from Purdue University in Materials Engineering and Sustainability.

He joined Penn State as a Post Doctorate Scholar in 2020 prior to his professorship appointment. He works closely with PA plastics manufacturers to implement sustainability programs in their plants.

Technical Service Engineer, Injection and Rotational Molding and CAE Chevron Phillips Chemcial Company A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy Tom Giovannetti holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Tulsa and for the last 26 years has worked for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company.

Tom started his plastics career by designing various injection molded products for the chemical industry including explosion proof plugs and receptacles, panel boards and detonation arrestors for 24 inch pipelines. Tom also holds a patent for design of a polyphenylene sulfide sleeve in a nylon coolant cross-over of an air intake manifold and is a Certified Plastic Technologist through the Society of Plastic Engineers.

Tom serves on the Oklahoma Section Board as Councilor, is also the past president of the local Oklahoma SPE Section, and as well serves on the SPE Injection Molding Division board.

Senior Director and Research Professor A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy Dr. Joseph Lawrence is a Research Professor and Senior Director of the Polymer Institute and the Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization at the University of Toledo. He is a Chemical Engineer by training and after working in the process industry, he has been engaged in polymers and composites research for 18+ years.

In the Polymer Institute he leads research on renewably sourced polymers, plastics recycling, and additive manufacturing. He is also the lead investigator of the Polyesters and Barrier Materials Research Consortium funded by industry. Dr. Lawrence has advised 20 graduate students, mentored 8 staff scientists and several undergraduate students.

He is a peer reviewer in several journals, has authored 30+ peer-reviewed publications and serves on the board of the Injection Molding Division of SPE. Northeast Account Manager A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy Matt Hammernik serves as Hasco America’s Northeast Area Account Manager covering the states Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

He started with Hasco America at the beginning of March 2022. Matt started in the Injection Mold Industry roughly 10 years ago as an estimator quoting injection mold base steel, components and machining. He advanced into outside sales and has been serving molders, mold builders and mold makers for about 7 years.

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