Section Grants

Section Grants is sponsored by AWS Foundation. The American Welding Society Foundation supports welding education on the local level through its Section Grants. Four AWS Sections (Cleveland, Detroit, Mobile, and St.

AWS Foundation Section Grants | Supporting Local Welding Initiatives The American Welding Society Foundation is committed to supporting welding education on the local level through its Welding Workforce Grant program.

Four AWS Sections sponsor annual grants for welding schools to purchase equipment or expand facilities to train more welders: Detroit Section Grant - $15,000 Vic Matthews Cleveland Section Grant - $10,000 Mobile Section Grant - $6,000 St. Louis Section Grant - $5,000 Schools that are AWS Educational Institution Members can also apply for the $25,000 Welding Workforce Grant using the same application.

Apply for AWS Welding Workforce Grants to fund equipment, facility expansion, and workforce training.

Applications are Now closed Please check back in January 2027 Guidelines for Requesting Funds Welding or metalworking equipment purchases or upgrades Classroom or lab materials and/or supplies Computers, computer-based training systems Funds cannot be used for: Any program or area not related to welding education/training Personnel or to expand teaching staff Student tuition or scholarships Textbooks or teaching materials Personal protective equipment No grants will be given to individuals Secondary schools (High School, Career Tech Center, Etc.) Post-secondary trade/technical programs or schools Schools must be located within the boundaries of the Cleveland, Detroit, Mobile, or St.

Louis Sections. Visit the AWS District/Section Map to view the Section boundaries. Schools do not need to be AWS Educational Institution Members to apply for Section Grants.

Preference will be given to: Project proposals that result in a significant increase in the number of welding graduates and number of graduates successfully placed in welding or welding-related jobs Commitments of additional support, including monetary support from the institution and/or monetary or in-kind donations from external public or private organizations, including companies, non-profits, or government organizations AWS Educational Institution Members and/or SENSE Registered Schools Welding Workforce Grant Application Visit the Welding Workforce Grant page for details on the application.

Schools that are Educational Institution Members will submit two budget proposals – one for the $25,000 Welding Workforce Grant and one for the Section Grant. The applications will be reviewed by the AWS Foundation Grants Committee with announcements made in May or June. The Grants Committee is comprised of members from the AWS Foundation Board of Trustees and the AWS Board of Directors.

The Grants Committee will give preference to applications with a letter of support from a Section officer. AWS Foundation will audit the success of the project throughout the term of funding, at intervals determined by AWS Foundation. A summary of progress-to-date with specific, detailed information will be required.

Projects will be measured against the original application submitted. A final report including project summary, numbers of individuals educated/trained, numbers of graduates, numbers successfully employed in a welding job, results from the project, and a final, itemized budget, will be required. A contract must be signed by both AWS Foundation and the grantee.

Funds will be distributed only to the education/training institution. The release of funds will occur following submission of itemized invoices or quotes that meet the intent of the approved project. Reapplication Eligibility A grant recipient may not apply again for three years following selection.

See previous grant recipients For questions, or more information, please contact us at foundation@aws. org . Learn about the individuals moving the field of welding forward — and learn how to nominate an individual for an award.

See the latest from Welding Journal, SprayTime, Inspections Trends, Welding Marketplace, and more. Jobs in Welding can help you find jobs near you, create a better and more effective resume, and even improve your resume with a free review.