$3M in welding scholarships now open for applications

The American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 scholarship season, with $2.7 million available to support students pursuing welding and related fields across North America. The deadline for AWS National, District, and Section Scholarships is March 1, 2026.

In 2025, the AWS Foundation awarded scholarships to more than 1,500 students, providing support ranging from $1,000 to over $8,000. Recipients attended 430 institutions across the U.S. and internationally.

AWS scholarships are available for all levels of welding education – from short-term technical programs to associate and bachelor’s degrees. In 2025, 66% of scholarships went to students in technical schools, helping to address the growing demand for skilled welders in construction, manufacturing, and other critical industries. Twenty percent of recipients were female, significantly higher than the industry average of 7.9%.

“Investing in welding education is essential to building a skilled workforce for the industries of today and tomorrow,” says Monica Pfarr, executive director of the AWS Foundation. “Our donors and AWS members are committed to supporting students who will become the welders, fabricators, and industry leaders of the future.”

Educators are encouraged to share this opportunity with students, and all prospective applicants are urged to apply at scholarship.aws.org before the March 1, 2026, deadline.