Forging Foundation News January 2024

Scholarship Applications Are Now Being Accepted!

Undergraduate and graduate students interested in the forging industry can apply for scholarships through the Forging Foundation’s four scholarship programs.  

Deadline for all materials to be received is April 13th, 2024. Recipients will be announced in June.

Don’t forget to pass this information along to your students and interns!

You can find more information about each scholarship on the Forging Foundation’s website through the button below.

Forging Foundation’s Fourth Silent Auction

The Forging Foundation (FIERF) is excited to announce their Fourth Annual Silent Auction fundraiser to take place at the FIA Annual Meeting of Members on April 20th.

We ask that you consider donating an item or service for the auction at this year's event. Generous donations of services, gift cards, products and once-in-a-lifetime experiences will help our event succeed to raise funds that support industry-relevant research to advance the science of forging and engage students through curriculum, experiential learning, and scholarships to encourage them to pursue careers in the forging supply chain.

Research Grant Applications Due February 15, 2024

The Forging Foundation (FIERF) awards grants to universities and community colleges to advance the science of forging and to engage students and professors in industry-relevant research.

After some discussion, the FIA Technical Committee feels that there is a need in the industry for projects pertaining to:

  • Metallurgical Processing and Process Design, from primary melting through forging, heat treatment and joining
  • Process simulation, including microstructural / mechanical property prediction
  • Metallic Materials Development (additive, hybrid processes, metal matrix composites, and cast and wrought manufacturing)
  • Lightweighting
  • Die materials, surface technologies and die repair
  • Industry 4.0 & Digital Manufacturing including AI or Machine Learning
  • Forging Lubrication
  • Automation, Ergonomics & Robotics
  • Carbon Emission Reduction and Environmental, including Recycling
  • Inspection Techniques
  • Materials Characterization
  • Forging Industry Equipment Lifecycle Extension
  • Forging for Extreme Environments (hypersonics, chemical, nuclear, sub sea, space, and sub zero)

Please Note: This list is not exclusive and the committee invites proposals on all areas of forging research & technology.

Stage Gate Grant Request Form – Grant Requests over $10,000
Micro Grant Request Form – Grant Requests $10,000 and under

Click here to see previously funded projects. All requests should include deliverables that relate to the needs of the industry as defined in the 2022 Forging Industry Technology Roadmap and follow the Grant Policies and Procedures. Please submit all requests to the Foundation Office at [email protected] by February 15, 2024.

Forging Club Grant Applications Due February 15, 2024

Looking to start a forging club at your school?

The Forging Foundation (FIERF) is excited to introduce its very first forging club grant opportunity. The purpose of this grant is to help cover the cost of forging equipment, materials, and personal protective equipment needed to start a forging club. If your school already has an established Forging Club, funds from the grant can be used to improve or expand your forging capabilities.

Four schools will be awarded $5,000, to help start or continue Forging Clubs at their school.

Awarded schools must commit to compete in FIERF’s Forging Competition in 2025 and start an official Forging Club at their school.

Submit applications to [email protected] by February 15, 2024.

Forge the Future Summer Camps

2024 is the year for more! The Forging Foundation is excited to host not just one, but three summer camps this year! Students will have the opportunity to tour a forging facility, participate in STEAM and team building activities, and learn how to forge. Plus, campers will get to take home their own forging!

SUMMER CAMPS:

If your company is interested in participating in the camp or would like to sponsor an activity, limited sponsorship opportunities are available.

Workforce Development Grants

FIA’s lobby firm, The Franklin Partnership (TFP), provides FIA with a document that contains the current workforce grants and tax credits that are available to companies to apply for.

Chicago Partnership Opportunities

Richard Daley College is working to recruit manufacturing employers to host one or more high school students during their senior year of high school in a Youth Apprenticeship program in partnership with CPS and Chicago City Colleges Career Launch Chicago.

These students will be taking Blueprint Reading, Metrology, OSHA and other classes at Daley College this summer to prepare them for the Youth Apprenticeship (hopefully at your company) during their Fall 24 and Spring 25 school semesters.

 

Partner with FIERF

Thank you to all of the new and continued supporters of the Forging Foundation (FIERF).  We couldn’t continue to do what we do with out the generous support from you!

We invite you to partner with the Forging Foundation. A partnership with the Forging Foundation means you will help develop our future workforce!

All contributions, donations, and gifts to the Forging Foundation (FIERF) are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. All administrative costs and event expenses are paid by the Forging Industry Association so your donation goes directly to supporting FIERF programs such as scholarships, forging related research projects, education initiatives, and workforce development programming.

If you are interested in learning more about the Forging Foundation and the workforce development programming that we do, contact Amanda Dureiko at [email protected] or 216-781-6260.