Southfield, Mich., Dec. 13, 2024 – The SME Education Foundation announced the Ford Philanthropy BlueOval City Scholarship today, made possible by a generous grant from Ford Philanthropy. The scholarship will support students in West Tennessee pursuing manufacturing and industrial-related degrees at regional technical and community colleges. The Foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of SME, the nonprofit association committed to advancing the widespread adoption of manufacturing technologies and developing North America's talent and capabilities.

"We are thrilled to partner with Ford Philanthropy on this exciting initiative," said Rob Luce, vice president of the SME Education Foundation. "Access to education is key to ensuring that students from all backgrounds, especially those from economically disadvantaged communities, have the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to succeed in tomorrow's workforce. This partnership will make a lasting impact on the region's economy by fostering the growth of a skilled, diverse, and resilient talent pool."

The Ford Philanthropy BlueOval City Scholarship is designed to address a critical need in the region, providing access to advanced manufacturing and industrial education while reducing financial barriers for students. By offering $2,500 scholarships to 100 eligible students, the program aims to support the development of a well-trained workforce to meet the future demands of the manufacturing industry, particularly in communities which are home to Ford facilities in West Tennessee.

“For 44 years, we've partnered with the SME Education Foundation to empower the next generation of talent ,” says Yisel Cabrera Crohare, Senior Manager of Economic Mobility at Ford Philanthropy. “This scholarship supports students pursuing technical and industrial degrees in West Tennessee, near Ford’s BlueOval City production facility. We chose the SME Education Foundation because of our strong partnership and their expertise in manufacturing and engineering education. Together, we’re building a talent pipeline and providing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.”

The scholarship will support students enrolled in or planning to enroll in technical programs such as Industrial Electricity, Industrial Maintenance, Machine Tool Technology, Mechatronics, and more. Priority will be given to those demonstrating financial need, with the scholarships intended to cover a variety of expenses including tuition, room and board, books, and necessary certifications and equipment.

The scholarship program will serve students attending Southwest Tennessee Community College, Dyersburg State Community College, Jackson State Community College, and various Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. The SME Education Foundation will streamline the application process, ensuring that students can easily apply for its multiple available scholarships with a single submission.

The SME Education Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2025-26 school year through February 1^st. For additional information on how to apply for a scholarship, please visit SME Education Foundation. 

About SME Education Foundation

As the philanthropic arm of SME, the SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares, and supports the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. Established in 1979, the Foundation works to expose youth to modern manufacturing technologies, train students on relevant manufacturing processes, and has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships throughout its history. All Foundation programming seeks to empower youth to consider and pursue careers in manufacturing and engineering and increase engagement with historically underrepresented populations to help diversify the manufacturing industry. We continue to inspire, prepare and support the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent – now as many as 10,000 students every year.

About SME Education Foundation Scholarships

The SME Education Foundation scholarship program awards millions of dollars to hundreds of graduating high school seniors and current college students across the country. With more than 60 distinct programs, the Foundation provides merit and need-based scholarships, issues renewing and one-time awards, and seeks applications from all eligible students, including but not limited to young women and other underrepresented communities. Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded $18 million to over 5,000 future industry leaders.

About SME

Established in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, SME represents the entire North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. We believe manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity, and champion the industry's potential as a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem. SME accelerates new technology adoption and builds North America’s talent and capabilities to advance manufacturing and drive competitiveness, resiliency, and national security. SME designs new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of growth in manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org.

About Ford Philanthropy

Ford Philanthropy champions equitable access to essential services, education for the future of work and entrepreneurship opportunities by harnessing Ford’s scale, resources and mobility expertise. With a 75-year legacy and $2.3 billion in contributions since 1949, Ford Philanthropy, alongside Ford Motor Company, collaborates with nonprofit partners and community organizations to invest and co-create solutions to meet unique community needs, supporting people to move forward and upward. Through impactful grantmaking, Ford Community Centers and employee volunteerism, Ford Philanthropy drives positive change in communities worldwide. For more information, visit fordphilanthropy.org or join us at @FordPhilanthropy on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.