ACI Foundation Scholarships 2027-2028: $5,000-$10,000 Concrete Industry Awards
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | ACI Foundation Fellowships, Scholarships, and Student Excellence Awards |
| Funded by | ACI Foundation |
| Field | Concrete-related undergraduate and graduate degree programmes |
| Award cycle | 2027-2028 academic year |
| General fellowship value | $10,000 USD educational stipend + paid ACI Convention travel |
| General scholarship value | $5,000 USD educational stipend |
| MENA Student Excellence Award | $7,000 USD stipend + travel and recognition |
| Saudi Arabia Student Excellence Award | $5,000 USD stipend + travel and recognition |
| Deadline | November 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT |
| Official URL | https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx |
The ACI Foundation is accepting applications for the 2027-2028 academic year for students in concrete-related undergraduate and graduate programmes. The official page lists 50 fellowships and scholarships, plus Middle East-focused Student Excellence Awards.
This opportunity is highly field-specific. It belongs on the shortlist for civil engineering, construction materials, structural engineering, and concrete technology students comparing niche awards with broader opportunities such as Hertz Fellowship, fully funded PhD scholarships, and women in STEM funding.
What Does It Cover?
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship stipend | $10,000 USD for tuition, residence, books, and materials |
| Fellowship travel | Paid travel to two ACI Conventions, subject to laws and restrictions |
| Scholarship stipend | $5,000 USD for tuition, residence, books, and materials |
| MENA Student Excellence Award | $7,000 USD stipend, North American ACI Convention interview travel, one ACI Middle East Conference, regional travel to obtain ACI certification, and recognition |
| Saudi Arabia Student Excellence Award | $5,000 USD stipend, convention/interview travel, ACI Middle East Conference, regional certification travel, and recognition |
| Recognition | Appropriate recognition in Concrete International magazine and on the Foundation website |
Eligibility
✅ You Must:
- Be a full-time student enrolled in a concrete-related degree during the award cycle.
- Be proficient in English.
- Submit a current resume.
- Submit a 500-word essay describing your interest in a long-term career in the concrete industry.
- Arrange official transcripts from all previously and currently attended institutions.
- Provide two endorsements, including one endorsement from an ACI member.
- Be prepared to attend the spring ACI Concrete Convention if selected as a finalist.
Additional Fellowship Requirement
- Fellowship applicants must attend an accredited institute or university in the United States or Canada during the award cycle.
MENA Student Excellence Award Requirement
- Applicants must attend a college or university in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, or Tunisia.
Saudi Arabia Student Excellence Award Requirement
- Applicants must attend a university in Saudi Arabia.
❌ Not Eligible If:
- Your degree is not concrete-related.
- You are not enrolled full time during the award cycle.
- You cannot provide official transcripts according to ACI Foundation requirements.
- You cannot secure two suitable endorsements, including one from an ACI member.
- You are applying late; ACI states late applications are not accepted.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Confirm the correct award track
Decide whether you are targeting a general fellowship, general scholarship, MENA Student Excellence Award, or Saudi Arabia Student Excellence Award. Eligibility differs by award type and study location.
Step 2: Prepare a concrete-industry career essay
The required essay is 500 words and must explain your interest in a long-term career in the concrete industry. Focus on technical interests, industry impact, research or project experience, and future contribution.
Step 3: Arrange official transcripts early
ACI requires official transcripts from all previously and presently attended institutions. Transcripts must be in English and adjusted to a 4.0 grading scale; WES evaluations are accepted.
Step 4: Secure two endorsements
You need two endorsements, and one must be from an ACI member. Endorsers cannot be students or family members.
Step 5: Submit before November 1, 2026
Applications close November 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Late applications are not accepted.
Step 6: Prepare for finalist travel if shortlisted
Finalists must attend the spring ACI Concrete Convention for an in-person interview. ACI states travel is paid by the fellowship programme, subject to laws and restrictions.
Comparison With Related STEM Awards
| Scholarship | Field | Value | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACI Foundation Fellowships | Concrete-related degrees | $10,000 + paid convention travel | Nov 1, 2026 |
| ACI Foundation Scholarships | Concrete-related degrees | $5,000 | Nov 1, 2026 |
| ACI MENA Student Excellence | Concrete-related students in listed MENA countries | $7,000 + travel/certification support | Nov 1, 2026 |
| Hertz Fellowship | Applied physical/biological sciences, math, engineering | Up to $250,000 | Late Oct 2026 |
| Schlumberger Faculty for the Future | Women in STEM PhD/postdoc | Grant support for study abroad | Nov 6, 2026 |
Insider Tips
1. Find an ACI member recommender now
The ACI-member endorsement is a specific requirement. Start with professors, lab supervisors, professional mentors, or local ACI chapter contacts.
2. Treat transcripts as the bottleneck
Official transcript delivery can be slow, especially if grading conversion or WES evaluation is needed. Start this before drafting the essay.
3. Make the essay industry-specific
Do not write a generic engineering essay. ACI wants a concrete industry career interest, so mention concrete materials, structural durability, cement chemistry, sustainability, construction innovation, codes, or infrastructure where relevant.
4. Check travel restrictions before relying on convention attendance
ACI notes travel is subject to current laws and regulations. Applicants needing visas should understand the process and possible restrictions.
5. Use the award even if it is not full funding
For niche fields, a $5,000-$10,000 award plus recognition can strengthen a CV, support conference networking, and signal industry commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ACI Foundation scholarship deadline?
Applications close November 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
How much are ACI Foundation fellowships worth?
Fellowship recipients receive a $10,000 USD educational stipend plus paid travel to two ACI Conventions, subject to restrictions.
How much are the scholarships worth?
General scholarship recipients receive a $5,000 USD educational stipend.
Who can apply for the MENA Student Excellence Award?
Students attending universities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, or Tunisia may be eligible if they meet the award requirements.
Is this only for graduate students?
The ACI Foundation page references concrete-related graduate and undergraduate degree programmes. Fellowship applicants have additional US/Canada institutional requirements.
Timeline Table
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | Applications open |
| August-September 2026 | Identify award track, ACI member endorser, and transcript requirements |
| October 2026 | Finalize essay, endorsements, resume, and official transcripts |
| November 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT | Applications close |
| Mid-November 2026-February 2027 | Applications under review |
| First week of February 2027 | Fellowship finalists notified for spring convention interview |
| Early April 2027 | Awardees notified |
Your Action Plan
1. Confirm your degree is concrete-related.
2. Choose the correct ACI award track: fellowship, scholarship, MENA, or Saudi Arabia.
3. Ask an ACI member for an endorsement immediately.
4. Request official transcripts and grade conversion if needed.
5. Draft a focused 500-word concrete industry career essay.
6. Submit before November 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
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Share this with someone studying civil engineering, concrete materials, or construction technology who needs a niche 2027-2028 scholarship deadline.