Jan. 31, 2006 — The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the Association for Iron and Steel Technology Foundation (AIST Foundation) have announced to students interested in a career in metallurgy or materials science that applications for the second year of FeMET Scholarships are being accepted now through April 18, 2006.

AISI and the AIST Foundation sponsor the FeMET Scholarships as part of their effort to encourage more students to choose metallurgy or materials science as their field of study; to recruit more of such graduates into the steel industry; and to increase the number of professors knowledgeable in steel in North American universities.

“2005 proved to be a great success for FeMET as we awarded ten scholarships to deserving students across North America,” Andrew G. Sharkey III, AISI President and CEO said. “At least ten more top-caliber students will win FeMET Scholarships in 2006.”

Each scholarship includes $5,000 for the scholar’s junior year, a paid summer internship with a North American steel company between their junior and senior year and $5,000 toward their senior year tuition.

The scholarship and summer internship are intended to provide an incentive for students to become involved in the steel industry. As a result, students entering the program are ensured a two-year commitment by the program, provided a satisfactory performance by the student both academically and in their internship.

“As the FeMET Initiative expands into its second year, more and more students will become aware of the career opportunities that exist in today’s steel industry,” said Ron Ashburn, Executive Director of AIST, “and we intend to build on this momentum to fulfill the objectives of the program.”

Instructions for applying are available on the AISI and AIST Foundation websites. The application deadline is April 18, 2006.

The Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) was formed on Jan. 1, 2004, by the merger of the Iron & Steel Society and the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers. AIST is an international technical association representing more than 9,000 iron and steel producers, their allied suppliers and related academia. The association is dedicated to advancing the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel. The AIST Foundation seeks to attract young technology-oriented professionals to the industry by promoting the high-tech, diverse and well-paying natures of careers in modern steelmaking. Visit the websites for more information about AIST or the AIST Foundation.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 33 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI's member companies represent more than 75 percent of both U.S. and North American steel capacity. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website.