FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Welding Society Foundation Doubles Grant Funding to $50,000 Per School: Applications Now Open

Miami, FL, January 15, 2025 – The American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation is proud to announce that the amount of its Welding Workforce Grant has doubled from $25,000 to up to $50,000 per facility. Applications are open to eligible schools nationwide until March 15, 2025.  

As demand for skilled welders continues to rise, many welding programs face significant challenges, including long waitlists and outdated equipment.  The Welding Workforce Grant provides up to $50,000 for schools to purchase new equipment, expand facilities, and enhance training resources.

“All across the country, welding professionals are in high demand, and it’s an ongoing challenge for schools to train enough individuals to meet the needs of local industry,” said Monica Pfarr, Executive Director of the AWS Foundation. “We are proud to double the grant amount this year, allowing us to better support welding programs that are critical to training the workforce our communities need.”

The Welding Workforce Grant is open to high schools, technical/trade schools, and community colleges. Schools interested in applying must submit their applications by March 15, 2025.

To learn more about the grant, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, visit www.aws.org/workforcegrant.

The American Welding Society Foundation ensures the growth and development of the welding industry through education, research, and workforce development. Last year, the AWS Foundation awarded over $3 million in grants and scholarships to support welding education.

For more information about the AWS Foundation, scholarships, grants or donations, please visit aws.org/foundation.

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About AWS Foundation: Founded in 1989, the AWS Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Welding Society, a nonprofit organization with a global mission to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes. The AWS Foundation works to ensure the growth and development of the welding industry through various initiatives, including career awareness, scholarship programs, and grants to institutions that offer welding education and training. As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of our partners who understand the value of welding and its role in building a better, stronger economy. aws.org/foundation.