SME

Record-breaking impact for the next generation of manufacturing talent.

This year, the SME Education Foundation awarded over 250 scholarships totaling more than $1.5 million — the highest total awarded in the Foundation’s history. The record number of 2,000 applications received reflects the growing momentum and interest in manufacturing careers nationwide.

Last week at the 2026 SME International Awards Gala, we were proud to recognize recipients of distinguished scholarships, including the E. Wayne Kay Scholarship, Dr. Irving P. McPhail Scholarship and 2026 Gustav J. Olling Directors Scholarship.

These awards represent more than financial support — they help students pursue careers in manufacturing while building the workforce that will drive the future of our industry forward.

Congratulations to all of this year’s scholarship recipients. Your passion, dedication and achievements continue to inspire us all.

Learn more about the 2026 scholarship recipients and scholarship program: https://brnw.ch/21x2oxv

We’re excited to welcome an incredible lineup of keynote speakers to SME FUSION on May 5-6 in Nashville, TN — bringing fresh perspective on the future of work, leadership, and workforce development in manufacturing.

🔹Ryan Jenkins
The Wall Street Journal bestselling author and leading voice on team connection and generational dynamics, Ryan helps organizations unlock stronger engagement and collaboration in today’s evolving workplace.

🔹Mark C. Perna
A nationally recognized expert on generational workforce trends, Mark brings powerful insights on how to inspire, attract, and retain the next generation of talent—critical for building a resilient manufacturing pipeline.

At SME, we’re committed to advancing manufacturing by equipping leaders with the strategies and insights needed to develop a future-ready workforce—and these keynote speakers will do exactly that.

Join us at SME FUSION to hear from these thought leaders and more as we shape the future of manufacturing together.

Register here: https://brnw.ch/21x1N5Q