Steel Curriculum Development Grant

►Application 
►Grant Recipients

Objective and Intent

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. 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. 

The grant will provide funding to encourage the following:

  • Providing up-to-date curriculum for students to learn about steel manufacturing.
  • Increase the number of students studying a steel-related curriculum in North America
  • Increase the number of such students electing to pursue careers in the iron and steel industry upon graduation.

It is the intent to give on award every year to a qualified engineering academic to enhance steel-related curriculum. The number of awards granted per yer is at the discretion of the selection committee and depends on fund availability, the number of proposals received, and the quality of proposals received.

Award and Outcome

US$25,000 over 3 years ($10,000, $10,000, $5,000)

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.

Recipients must provide a year-end 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 include the project to date and should include tracking the number of students hired into the steel industry upon graduation.

A final summary report will be presented by the recipient in year three to the committee in August. The report should highlight the project’s outcomes and the effectiveness of the team’s efforts and include data on the number of participating students hired into the steel industry after graduation. Student teams will also be encouraged to present their completed projects at an AIST event. Additionally, an article based on the report will be published in Iron & Steel Technology magazine.

Proposal Content

Please follow the instructions carefully for submitting proposals. The information is also available through the AIST Foundation hope page at AISTFoundation.org. Proposals should be no more than 10 pages in length. Applications should contain the following sections:

  • Complete names, descriptions and contact information of the professor.
  • Proposal Summary – including date of submission, contact person and information, requested grant amount and schedule duration.
  • Executive Summary – statement which clearly defines specific enhancements or new curriculum, specific activities toward building connections with a steel company or supplier to the industry, building student interest in the steel industry, and direct student contact with the steel industry.
  • Estimated distribution of total curriculum development cost by year. A portion of the grant may be used as a stipend to the professor(s) or student(s) as long as such declaration is defined. Any transportation costs for plant visits and project presentation should be included.
  • Detailed plan of the work including a list of tasks and milestones.
  • Past involvement with a steel plant and proposed direct student involvement with a steel plant.
  • Plans to present the project and outcomes at AISTech.
  • Include a resume/CV for the professor and include previous faculty and student interaction with the steel industry as well as proposed plans for faculty and student interaction with a steel or steel-related company.
  • Letter of support from university department head.

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.

AIST Foundation

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

All scholarships and grants are awarded in accordance with AIST Foundation’s policies, which may be amended from time to time, and are subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.  Scholarships and grants are awarded subject to availability and funding and AIST Foundation reserves the right to withdraw or amend any listed scholarship or grant without prior notification.  Scholarships and grants may be suspended or revoked at any time at the Board’s discretion.  In no event shall the AIST Foundation or the Board of Trustees be liable for any claim or cost associated with suspending or revoking any scholarship or grant.  All decisions by the Board shall be final and may not be appealed.