The Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP) launched a scholarship program to show its commitment to building the next generation of maintenance, reliability and physical asset management professionals. The scholarships are available through the SMRP Foundation, which seeks to provide students with financial resources. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, June 17.
Financial assistance is available through the scholarship program for individuals in universities, community colleges, graduate programs and two-year programs centered on maintenance, reliability and asset management. Scholarship applicants are judged on grade point average, work experience, extracurricular activities and merit.
“As an entire generation of skilled maintenance and reliability professionals prepares to retire, there is a growing age gap in workforce skills that will threaten the sustainability of U.S. economic competitiveness if we don’t take action,” says Erin Erickson, executive director, SMRP. “With the help of the SMRP Foundation and the scholarship program, we are creating a pathway for students to gain the education and credentials they need to become the next generation of maintenance and reliability professionals.”
Since 2014, the SMRP scholarship program has awarded more than $96,000 in funding and resources to students in order to guide them toward a fulfilling career and help close the talent and skills gap in the profession.
"Receiving the SMRP Legacy of Excellence Scholarship was an extremely rewarding experience,” says Luke Dixon, a past SMRP scholarship recipient. “The award has allowed me to continue pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University, and with the support of this scholarship, I've been able to work on a multitude of exciting projects from calibration of wind tunnel equipment to experiments in additive manufacturing. I've also used the scholarship to better position me for a successful career in engineering and maintenance."
The following scholarships are available for application:
- SMRP Legacy of Excellence Scholarship ($10,000): The SMRP Legacy of Excellence scholarship is the highest scholarship to be awarded in SMRP's history. One student will be awarded this $10,000 scholarship for demonstrating a commitment to the highest level of excellence in their studies, work and extracurricular activities. The application is available to rising juniors and seniors in a four-year maintenance-, reliability- or engineering-focused program as well as to students in graduate studies.
- SMRPCO Dorothy and Jack Nicholas Scholarship ($2,000): Named for one of the founding members of the SMRPCO certification programs and his wife, the SMRPCO Dorothy and Jack Nicholas Scholarship is awarded to one rising junior or senior in a four-year maintenance- and reliability-focused program, as well as to students in the second year of a two-year maintenance program.
- SMRP Scholarship ($2,000): The SMRP Scholarship is awarded to a single student who demonstrates a strong desire to learn about and pursue a career in maintenance, reliability and physical asset management profession. It is available to freshmen, sophomores, juniors and rising seniors in four-year maintenance- and reliability-focused programs, as well as to students in a two-year maintenance program.
- SMRP Higher Standards Scholarship ($2,000 each): Our society is committed to supporting university students in the families of SMRP members, regardless of concentration. The SMRP Board of Directors has authorized two $2,000 scholarships for children of SMRP members. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and rising seniors are welcome to apply. SMRP also encourages students in a two-year community or technical college program to submit an application. One Higher Standards scholarship will be granted to a rising junior or senior at an accredited four-year college or university, and a second Higher Standards scholarship will be awarded to a freshman, sophomore or student in a two-year program.
To apply or learn more about the SMRP scholarship program please visit https://smrp.org/Scholarships.
