ACI Foundation Scholarship 2027 | Study in United States — ACI Foundation
Concrete is one of the most-used materials on earth, yet dedicated scholarships for students studying it specifically are rare. The ACI Foundation fills that gap directly, funding a genuinely large number of awards each year.
With around 50 fellowships and scholarships offered annually, this is one of the more accessible specialized awards on this list, provided your field fits.
About the Scholarship
The ACI Foundation, connected to the American Concrete Institute, awards fellowships and scholarships to students enrolled in concrete-related degree programs. The program spans undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels, with fellowship and scholarship tiers offering different award amounts.
Unlike many niche technical scholarships that offer only a handful of awards per cycle, the ACI Foundation offers roughly 50 awards annually. That relatively high number improves realistic odds for well-qualified applicants in the field.
Applicants need two endorsements to apply, with one required to come specifically from an ACI member. This requirement reflects the program’s close ties to practicing professionals in the concrete and civil engineering industry.
Recognition under this program extends beyond the funding itself. Recipients are recognized at ACI Concrete Conventions, in Concrete International publications, and across the foundation’s website and social media channels.
Eligible fellowship recipients may also receive additional support to attend and participate in an ACI convention, giving students direct exposure to the professional concrete engineering community beyond their own campus.
Concrete as a field sits at an interesting intersection of material science, structural engineering, and construction practice, which means students with very different academic backgrounds can all find a genuine entry point into ACI Foundation funding.
The American Concrete Institute itself has operated for over a century, giving the foundation’s scholarship and fellowship programs a level of institutional stability that newer, less established funding sources often lack.
Because the construction and infrastructure sector remains a significant part of the broader economy, students who specialize early in concrete-related research or practice often find a clear, well-defined career pathway waiting for them after graduation.
That practical career relevance is part of why the ACI Foundation can justify offering such a large number of awards each year compared to many other specialized technical scholarships.
Industry-connected scholarship programs like this one also tend to carry weight with employers after graduation, since recognition from a respected professional body signals early, genuine engagement with the field rather than a purely academic interest.
For students still deciding on a specialization within civil engineering or materials science, exposure to concrete-specific funding and professional recognition this early can help clarify whether the field is the right long-term fit.
Past recipients have gone on to roles across structural design, materials research, and construction management, underscoring how broadly a concrete-related specialization can translate into a long-term career path.
The scale of the construction industry globally means demand for specialized concrete expertise is unlikely to shrink, giving students funded through this program a reasonably stable long-term career outlook compared to some narrower technical niches.
That stability is part of why the ACI Foundation has been able to sustain such a large number of annual awards over time, supported by an industry that continues to need a steady pipeline of specialized concrete engineering talent.
Climate-conscious construction practices have also brought new attention to concrete specifically, since the material’s production and durability properties are closely tied to ongoing efforts to reduce the construction sector’s environmental footprint, adding another dimension of relevance to research and study in this field.
Students researching lower-carbon concrete formulations or more durable, longer-lasting designs are increasingly finding their work connects directly to broader sustainability goals, which can make a concrete-focused academic path feel more forward-looking than it might have seemed a generation ago, especially as infrastructure investment continues globally.
Scholarship Benefits
- Fellowship awards of up to $10,000
- Scholarship awards of up to $5,000
- Recognition at ACI Concrete Conventions and in Concrete International
- Visibility across the ACI Foundation’s website and social media
- Potential travel support to attend an ACI convention for eligible fellowship recipients
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be enrolled in an undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD program throughout the award cycle
- Your program must be concrete-related
- You must obtain two endorsements to apply
- At least one endorsement must come from a current ACI member
- You should confirm the current cycle’s specific endorsement submission process
Fields of Study Covered
The ACI Foundation’s awards are specifically tied to concrete-related degree programs, most commonly within civil engineering, materials science, and construction management. Students researching concrete durability, design, or construction methods are a clear fit.
Students in adjacent fields, such as structural engineering, may also qualify if their coursework or research has a genuine concrete-specific focus. A general civil engineering program without a concrete emphasis is less likely to meet the eligibility bar.
Required Documents
- A completed ACI Foundation scholarship or fellowship application
- Proof of enrollment in a concrete-related degree program
- Two endorsements, with at least one from a current ACI member
- Academic transcripts
- A personal statement connecting your studies or research to the concrete industry
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Confirm your program has a genuine concrete-related focus
- Identify two endorsers, ensuring at least one is a current ACI member
- Request your endorsements with enough lead time before the deadline
- Prepare your transcripts and personal statement
- Submit your complete application before the November 1 deadline
Selection Process
The ACI Foundation reviews applications for academic strength, the relevance of the applicant’s studies or research to concrete, and the quality of the required endorsements. Because the program offers a relatively high number of awards, strong applicants from across degree levels have a realistic chance.
Endorsements from ACI members carry particular weight, since they signal recognition from within the professional concrete engineering community itself.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Secure your ACI member endorsement well ahead of the deadline, since this can take time to arrange if you don’t already have an industry contact
- Make your personal statement specific about your concrete-related coursework, research, or career goals
- Apply at whichever degree level, undergraduate through PhD, matches your current enrollment, since the program spans all three
- Attend an ACI convention or local chapter event if possible before applying, to build a genuine connection within the professional community
- Keep your transcripts current and request them early
- Apply even if you are early in your program, since the roughly 50 awards per cycle spread across many applicants and degree levels
- Compare this against other technical and engineering-adjacent funding like the Marshall Plan Scholarship if you’re also considering international technical research options
Frequently Asked Questions
How many awards does the ACI Foundation offer each year?
Around 50 fellowships and scholarships are offered annually across undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels.
Do I need to already know an ACI member to apply?
You need one endorsement from a current ACI member, so building a connection within the concrete engineering community before applying is worthwhile if you don’t already have one.
Is this scholarship open to international students?
Eligibility centers on enrollment in a concrete-related program rather than nationality; confirm current guidance for international applicants’ specific requirements.
What’s the difference between the fellowship and scholarship tiers?
Fellowships offer up to $10,000 while scholarships offer up to $5,000; specific eligibility differences between the two tiers should be confirmed in the current cycle’s guidance.
Can undergraduate students apply, or is this graduate-only?
No, the program spans undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students.
Does my program need to be exclusively focused on concrete?
No, but your specific degree program or research should have a genuine, demonstrable connection to concrete-related study.
Is travel support guaranteed for all recipients?
No, travel support to attend an ACI convention is described as available to eligible fellowship recipients specifically, not all awardees.
How are the two required endorsements submitted?
Submission processes can vary by cycle; follow the foundation’s current application instructions for exactly how endorsements should be provided.
Can I apply in multiple years if I don’t win the first time?
Check the foundation’s current policy on reapplying across multiple cycles if you are not selected initially.
Does the ACI Foundation only fund students planning careers in construction?
No, the program is based on your academic program’s connection to concrete, not a required career commitment, though many recipients do go on to concrete-related careers.
Are online or distance degree programs eligible?
Check the foundation’s current guidance on program format, since eligibility criteria may address online or hybrid programs differently from traditional in-person ones.
Can faculty members nominate students directly instead of students applying themselves?
The standard process is for students to apply directly with the required endorsements; confirm current guidance if your department has a different nomination process in place.
Is prior ACI membership required to apply as a student?
Student applicants typically do not need to already be ACI members themselves, though one of your two required endorsers must be; confirm current guidance for specifics.
Does the scholarship favor students pursuing research over those pursuing coursework-based degrees?
No, both research-focused and coursework-focused concrete-related programs are eligible, as long as the concrete connection is genuine.
Can I apply if I switched into a concrete-related program partway through my degree?
Yes, what matters is your current enrollment status and program focus at the time of application, not how long you have been specifically studying concrete.