Donald N. Smith Endowed Scholarship

Name: Donald N. Smith Endowed Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Information And Eligibility:
The Donald N. Smith Endowed Scholarship is one of the manufacturing-focused scholarships awarded through the SME Education Foundation, an organization dedicated to strengthening the manufacturing workforce across North America. This scholarship is specifically designed to support students who are actively pursuing careers in manufacturing, engineering, or industrial technology and who are enrolled in engineering-related coursework at accredited colleges or universities in the United States or Canada.

This award is open to both graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students who plan to enroll or are already enrolled in either a two-year or four-year college program. Eligible students must be seeking an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, manufacturing technology, industrial engineering, industrial technology, or a closely related discipline. These fields include, but are not limited to, mechanical engineering, automation, robotics, quality engineering, production systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

A defining feature of the Donald N. Smith Endowed Scholarship is its strong alignment with hands-on, career-oriented manufacturing education. The scholarship is intended for students who plan to enter the manufacturing workforce and contribute to areas such as production efficiency, process improvement, automation, sustainability, and industrial innovation. Applicants who can clearly articulate how their academic program connects to real-world manufacturing applications tend to be especially competitive.

While the scholarship is open to students across the U.S. and Canada, preference is given to students enrolled at the University of Michigan, the University of Michigan–Dearborn, or the University of Michigan–Flint. This preference reflects the scholarship’s historical ties to manufacturing education within Michigan, though students from other accredited institutions are strongly encouraged to apply and are fully eligible for consideration.

Applicants must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The SME Education Foundation recognizes that many manufacturing students balance demanding technical coursework with internships, co-op programs, or part-time employment, and the GPA requirement reflects this practical understanding of engineering education.

Scholarship funds may be used to help cover tuition, required fees, textbooks, lab expenses, equipment, or other education-related costs. Awards are made based on the strength of the application, alignment with manufacturing career goals, academic performance, and available funding during the award cycle.

All applications are submitted through the SME Education Foundation’s centralized online scholarship application system. Students only need to complete one application to be considered for multiple SME scholarships for which they are eligible, including the Donald N. Smith Endowed Scholarship. The annual application period opens November 1 and closes February 1.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a graduating high school senior or current undergraduate student.
• Must be enrolling in or currently enrolled at a two-year or four-year college or university.
• Institution must be located in the United States or Canada.
• Must be pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, manufacturing technology, industrial engineering, industrial technology, or a closely related field.
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Open to U.S. and Canadian citizens.
• Preference given to students attending University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, University of Michigan–Dearborn, or University of Michigan–Flint.

Application Requirements:

• Completed online application through the SME Education Foundation portal.
• Official academic transcript.
• Personal essay outlining manufacturing career goals and academic interests.
• Résumé highlighting education, work experience, internships, or technical projects.
• Letters of recommendation or references.

Deadline: February

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