Steel Curriculum Development Grant

►Application 
►Grant Recipients
Proposals for the 2025–2026 academic year will be accepted through 30 June 2025.

The purpose of the Steel Curriculum Development Grant is to increase the number of students studying a steel-related curriculum in North America, and to increase the number of such students electing to pursue careers in the iron and steel industry upon graduation.

Call for Proposals

Proposals are being solicited from Professors of engineering and engineering technology majors (metallurgical, materials science, chemical, electrical, mechanical, industrial, environmental, and computer science) at North American Universities for funding of curriculum development  to enhance or update steel-related curriculum within the  above engineering and engineering technology disciplines. The proposal should indicate how the professor would approach the task, including budget and schedule requirements. The maximum allowable time for a curriculum development grant is three years beginning in the fall. The number of awards granted depends on fund availability, the number and quality of applicants; the maximum grant per award will be US$10,000 each year for the first two years, and US$5,000 for year three for a total of US$25,000.

Objective and Terms

The professors selected will have discretion in establishing the project as long as the steel industry's role or visibility in the professor's course curriculum and/or other programs is enhanced.

Proposal Content

Please follow the instructions carefully for submitting proposals. Applications should contain the following sections:

  • Schedule for curriculum development including a list of anticipated tasks and milestones.

  • Detailed plan of the work.

  • Estimated distribution of total curriculum development cost by year.

  • Past involvement with a steel plant and proposed direct student involvement with a steel plant.

Evaluation Criteria

It is the responsibility of the submitter to assure that sufficient information is contained in the proposal for reviewers to evaluate the proposal according to the following criteria:

  • Benefits to Steel-Related Engineering Programs in North America – To increase the number of students studying steel-related engineering programs in North America. Engaging students from different disciplines in steel-related engineering studies and to provide direct student interaction for awareness of the steel industry.

  • Academic Impact in North America – The potential of the project outcomes to enhance or update steel-related curriculum at North American universities.

  • Value to the Steel Industry – The fit of the proposed curriculum to the theme of the engineering technology majors (metallurgical, materials science, chemical, electrical, mechanical, industrial, environmental and computer science) at North American universities. The potential of increasing the number of students employable by the steel industry.

  • Qualifications – The expertise and capabilities of the team to bring the project to a meaningful on-time completion. Other factors considered under the criterion are project schedule, milestones, decision points and overall cost. In addition, the overall quality of communications, clarity and completeness of the proposal is considered.

Reporting

Selected recipients must provide a progress report by 30 June each year of the grant, along with a funding request for each additional year, through a form provided. The report should also include tracking the number of students hired into the steel industry upon graduation.

Overhead Costs

To ensure the grants funded by the Foundation go directly to the intended purpose, it is the policy of the AIST Foundation to not allow overhead costs. The AIST Foundation is a Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation organized for charitable, education and scientific purposes that seeks to attract technology-oriented professionals to the steel industry by educating the public about the high-tech, diverse and rewarding nature of careers in modern steelmaking. The Foundation receives contributions from industry corporations and individual members of AIST. The AIST Foundation reserves the right to assess grants on a case by case basis to determine the application of this policy.