Invest in the Next Generation of Welders
Invest in the Next Generation of Welders
Grants up to $50,000 to help your program grow, modernize equipment, and meet industry demand
Welding programs are vital for training the next generation of skilled workers, yet many face long waitlists and limited resources to meet growing demand.
The Welding Workforce Grant provides up to $50,000 for new welding and testing equipment and enrollment expansion to help programs grow to meet the needs of local industries.
AWS Educational Institution Membership is required to apply.
welding workforce grant
At a Glance
Funding
Up to $50,000 per eligible institution
Who Can Apply
U.S. secondary schools, technical schools, community colleges; must be AWS Educational Members
Use of Funds
Welding equipment, training systems, lab materials, AWS Accredited Testing Facility upgrades
Not Allowed
Construction, salaries, student tuition, PPE, textbooks, travel
Priority
Projects that increase welding graduates and job placements, especially in high-demand regions
Post-Award
Itemized invoices, progress reporting, final summary; 3-year wait before reapplying
What Assistance is Available?
What Assistance is Available?
Grants up to $50,000 are available for secondary and post-secondary education/training institutions to enhance and improve welding programs resulting in an increase in the number of welding graduates and/or the number successfully placed in welding or welding-related jobs.
Funds May Be Used For
- 1 Welding Related Equipment.
- 2 NDT or Destructive Testing Equipment.
- 3Fume Extraction (Portable Units or Down Draft Tables).
- 4 Lab Materials or Supplies (Limited to 20% of Total Budget).
- 5 Becoming an AWS Accredited Testing Facility.
- 6Virtual Reality Systems for Welding Training.
Funds Cannot Be Used For
- 1 Any program or area not related to welding or inspection education/training
- 2 Facility construction or renovations, such as electrical work, building/room construction, and fencing
- 3 Capital items, such as vehicles, furniture, office equipment, forklifts, etc.
- 4 Travel expenses
- 5 Faculty or administrator salaries or benefits.
- 6 Student tuition or scholarships
- 7 Indirect costs
who can apply?
who can apply?
- Secondary Schools (High School, Career Tech Center, Etc.)
- Post-Secondary Trade/Technical Programs or Schools
- Community College
AWS Educational Institution Membership is required to apply. For-profit schools are not eligible for the Welding Workforce Grant.
Funding Preferences
Funding Preferences
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.
- Schools in geographic areas of high need for entry-level welders.
- Schools with instructors and students involved with the American Welding Society and AWS Sections.
Welding Workforce Grant Application
The application consists of the following components:
- ✔ Grant proposal and expected outcomes.
- ✔ AWS involvement.
- ✔ Data on number of welding students, graduates, and placement in welding jobs.
- ✔ One-page itemized budget (Sample budget). Applications with supporting budgetary quotes from distributors, suppliers, or contractors will be given preference.
- ✔ Letter of Commitment from Education/Training Institution.
- ✔ Instructor Statement.
- ✔ Photos of existing lab.
- ✔ Letters of Support from advisory board members, local employers, community groups, local AWS section, etc. Letters from local businesses expressing an immediate need to hire graduates are preferred.
Selection Process
The applications will be reviewed by the AWS Foundation Grants Committee. The Grants Committee is comprised of members from the AWS Foundation Board of Trustees and the AWS Board of Directors.
Applicants will be notified of the status of their application in late May or early June.
Requirements if Selected for an AWS Foundation Grant
Measures of Success
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.Release of Funds
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.
For questions, or more information, please contact us at foundation@aws.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Welding Workforce Grant?
The Welding Workforce Grant provides funding to secondary and post-secondary schools to support welding and metalworking education programs. Grants can be used to purchase equipment, training systems, and lab materials that help prepare students for careers in welding.
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Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include high schools, career-technical schools, trade or technical post-secondary schools, and community colleges. Schools must hold an AWS Educational Institution Membership to apply.
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What can the grant be used for?
Grant funds may be used for welding or metalworking equipment, nondestructive (NDE) or destructive testing equipment, fume extraction systems, computer-based welding training systems, lab materials (up to 20% of the budget), and conversion to an AWS Accredited Testing Facility.
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What cannot be funded?
Funds cannot be used for facility construction or renovations, vehicles or unrelated capital items, travel, salaries or benefits, student tuition, scholarships, textbooks, PPE, or indirect costs.
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How much funding is available?
Grants provide up to $50,000 per institution.
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When can schools apply?
Applications open annually (check the AWS Welding Workforce Grant page for exact dates). Schools that receive a grant must wait three years before applying again.
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What are the reporting requirements?
Recipients must submit periodic progress reports and a final report.