September 9, 2024: Battery Council International said on September 3 it has formally opened the application process for its first BCI Foundation scholarships — with awards of up to $5,000 available for families of BCI member firms studying in the 2025-2026 academic year.
The foundation is a charitable entity set up to mark BCI’s 100th anniversary this March and initially funded by donations totalling more than $115,000 from centennial sponsors including Banner, CD Trojan, Clarios, Crown Battery, Duncan, East Penn Manufacturing, EnerSys, GS Yuasa, Leoch Battery, Moura, Rolls Battery Engineering, Stryten Energy, Superior, and US Battery Manufacturing Company.
Additional contributions to the BCI Foundation include a $10,000 ‘challenge grant’ from ENTEK. Daramic supported the foundation with a separate $5,000 award.
Scholarships will be administered by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, a group dedicated to providing funding for aftermarket education programs and research. BCI Foundation scholars will be screened and selected by an independent panel of reviewers.
Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2025, with scholarship recipients notified of their selection by June 30, 2025. Funds provided by the BCI Foundation will be directed to separate scholarship awards including:
The BCI Battery Chemistry and STEM Scholarship, which will award $5,000 to individuals studying electrochemistry, science, technology, engineering, mathematics or a related technical discipline that will support energy storage applications. In partnership with Women in the Global Battery Industry, BCI will select at least one woman recipient to foster diversity in the industry.
The BCI Community Scholarship will award $5,000 to an individual who is an employee or direct family member of an employee currently working in a BCI-member company.
To apply for these opportunities, applicants should gather the relevant supporting materials listed on the application form. Most importantly, applicants must list ‘Battery Council International’ in the program group/business affiliation section and identify the relative who is employed by a BCI member firm under sponsor/contact name to ensure eligibility.
BCI president and executive director Roger Miksad said the trade body’s members have a proud history of supporting their respective local communities. “The charitable efforts of the BCI Foundation will build on that legacy to ensure a vibrant pipeline of talent so our industry will thrive for many years to come.”
Email info@batterycouncil.org for more information on the scholarships or the application process.
