December 4, 2025: Battery Council International has issued a call for applications for the second round of scholarships under the BCI Foundation, which was launched in 2024.
The trade body said on November 24 the application process was open for awards of up to $5,000 for individuals studying in the 2026-2027 academic year.
The program is open to full-time undergraduate (four-year and two-year) and graduate students.
Funds provided by the Foundation will be directed to two separate scholarship awards.
The BCI Battery Chemistry and STEM Scholarship, offered in partnership with Women in the Global Battery Industry, will award $5,000 to individuals studying electrochemistry, science, technology, engineering, mathematics or a related technical discipline that will support energy storage applications.
Meanwhile, the BCI Community Scholarship will award $5,000 to an individual who is an employee or direct family member of an employee working at a BCI-member company.
The Foundation, a stand-alone charitable entity, was formed in recognition of BCI’s 100th anniversary in 2024 and funded by initial donations of more than $115,000. The first class of BCI Scholars was selected in 2025, assisting three individuals in their academic pursuits.
BCI president and executive director Roger Miksad said although the trade body itself was more than 100 years old, in many ways the industry’s brightest days lie ahead.
“BCI and our members are investing in the next generation of industry leaders and innovators, and the charitable efforts of the Foundation will build on that legacy to ensure a vibrant pipeline of talent.”
Founding donors to the Foundation include lead battery industry giants Banner, CD Trojan, Clarios, Crown Battery, Daramic, Duncan, East Penn, ENTEK, EnerSys, GS Yuasa, Leoch Battery, Moura, Rolls Battery Engineering, Stryten Energy, Superior, and US Battery Manufacturing Company.
Additional contributions have been received from individual and anonymous donors across the industry.
Foundational scholarships are administered in partnership with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, a group dedicated to providing funding for automotive industry education programs.
BCI Foundation scholars will be screened and selected by an independent panel of reviewers.
Applications can be made online by March 31, 2026. Click here to make tax-deductible donations to the BCI Foundation.
