ACI Foundation Scholarships

The ACI Foundation, part of the American Concrete Institute, gives out scholarships and fellowships every year to students around the globe studying concrete. Although it's based in the U.S., international students, including those from Pakistan, can apply if they meet certain requirements. Most of the programs require you to study at a university in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, while some specific awards are available for students in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The ACI Foundation aims to bring in and keep talented individuals who will shape the future of the concrete industry. They offer financial help, guidance, and chances to network, all to support this mission. The grants they provide are competitive and meant for students who show strong academic skills, leadership potential, and a keen interest in concrete materials, design, construction, and research.

Programs Offered

The ACI Foundation has different fellowships and scholarships, usually backed by people or companies in the concrete field. The names of the awards might change a bit each year, but they tend to fit into these main groups:

ACI Foundation Fellowships: Aimed at grad students (Master’s and PhD), these often come with a required summer internship.
ACI Foundation Scholarships: Open to both undergrad and grad students.
Regional Awards: Like the ACI Foundation Middle East & North Africa Fellowships, specifically for students from that area.

Benefits

The ACI Foundation has two main awards: Fellowships and Scholarships, and each comes with its own benefits:

ACI Foundation Fellowships (for study in US, Canada, or Mexico)

Educational Stipend: $10,000 USD to cover tuition, accommodation & board, books, and student fees.
Travel and Attendance: Paid airline, accommodation, travel stipend, and registration for two ACI Concrete Conventions held within the award year. Fellowship finalists are also invited to the Spring ACI Convention for an interview, with travel expenses reimbursed.
Mentorship: Assigned to an industry mentor for advice and networking.
Internships: Opportunities for a 10- to 12-week summer internship, as required by the fellowship or desired by the grantee.
Recognition: At ACI Concrete Conventions, in Concrete International magazine, and on the ACI Foundation's website and social media platforms.

ACI Foundation Scholarships (for study in US, Canada, or Mexico)

Educational stipend: $5,000 USD (certain scholarships may be provided in CAD).
Recognition: Concrete International magazine, as well as the ACI Foundation's website and social media.

ACI Foundation Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Fellowships

Educational stipend: $10,000 USD is paid as an educational stipend.
Travel and attendance: Paid airfare, lodging, travel stipend, and registration for two ACI Concrete Conventions (one in North America for an interview and one in the Middle East), as well as travel within the Middle East region for ACI certification.
Mentorship involves linking mentors in the industry.
Recognition: Concrete International magazine and the ACI Foundation's website both recognized the achievement.

Eligibility Criteria

Pakistani citizens' key eligibility conditions are:

Nationality: Generally unrestricted, which means Pakistani citizens can apply.
Academic Status: Must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student (Master's or PhD) as specified by the university for the duration of the award year.
Field of Study: Pursuing a degree or program that is directly relevant to concrete. Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Materials Science, Architecture, and other related topics are included.
University Location:
- For most ACI Foundation Fellowships and Scholarships: You need to be studying at or accepted into a recognized university in the U.S. or Canada (some also cover Mexico).
- For the ACI Foundation Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Fellowship: You have to be studying at a school in a participating MENA country.
Academic Performance: You need to show strong academic results to apply.
English Proficiency: All applicants should be good at English. If English isn’t your first language, you might need a written note that proves your skills or a copy of your TOEFL score (this is optional).
Endorsements: Applicants need two endorsements, and at least one has to be from an ACI member. The second can come from your employer (if possible) or a teacher.
Previous Awards: Each student can only get one fellowship and one scholarship from the ACI Foundation while studying.

How to Apply

You can apply online from July 1st to November 1st for awards for the next academic year. Here’s a simple guide to get you started:

Check Eligibility: Take a look at the eligibility requirements for the fellowships and scholarships you’re interested in. You only need one online application to apply for different awards, depending on what you qualify for.
Get Your Documents Ready: Make sure to collect these important documents:
- Personal and Educational Information: Provide full contact and academic information.
- Resume: A one-page document in Microsoft Word (.doc or.docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
- Essay: Write a 500-word essay about your interest in the concrete business, your career plans, and how the scholarship will help you accomplish them.
  Official academic transcripts. These are normally required to be in English and perhaps adapted to a 4.0 grading system.
- Endorsement: Get two endorsements. One must be from an ACI member (non-student), while the other may be from an employer or academic member. It is critical to contact these folks in advance to ensure that they are willing to provide an endorsement and that their email addresses are ready for the online application procedure. The system will contact them personally regarding their statements.
- English Proficiency Statement/ToEFL (Optional): If English is not your native language, you must provide a written statement demonstrating your proficiency. Submitting a TOEFL score is optional, although it can help your application.
Online Application: During the application period, visit the ACI Foundation's official scholarship website (acifoundation.org/scholarships).
Complete the form: Fill out the online application form correctly and completely. The system will walk you through the process and automatically recommend rewards for which you are qualified based on your responses.
Submit: Submit your application by the deadline (usually November 1st).

FAQs

1. Can I apply if I haven't been accepted into a US or Canadian university yet?

You can start your application, but you usually need to get into a full-time program at a US, Canadian, or Mexican university (or in the MENA region for a specific award) for that year to be eligible for the scholarship. It's better to wait until your admission is confirmed before applying.

2. How can I find an ACI member to endorse me in Pakistan?

You can reach out to professors in civil engineering or related fields at universities in Pakistan, as some of them might be ACI members. Also, professionals in the construction or concrete business in Pakistan could be members too. Check the ACI website for local chapters or networks that might have members. Joining the ACI Faculty Network can also give professors a free year of ACI membership.

3. Is an internship required for all awards?

No, internships are required for some fellowships but not for all scholarships. Make sure to check the specific requirements for each award you want to apply for.

4. What if I don't have a TOEFL score?

If English isn't your first language, you need to attach a written statement to your application confirming your English skills. A TOEFL score is optional, but it’s good to provide it if you have one.

5. When will I find out the results?

Fellowship finalists usually hear back by February of the next year and get interviewed in March. Scholarship winners are typically announced after that. You can usually find the exact timelines on the ACI Foundation website.

6. How are the funds given out?

Scholarship funds are usually sent in two equal payments over one year to the financial aid or registrar office of your school. For fellowships, it's usually paid directly to the student in two equal payments.

7. Can I apply for both a Fellowship and a Scholarship?

Yes, one online application lets you be considered for both, but you can only get one fellowship and one scholarship from the ACI Foundation during your studies.