FANUC America Establishes $1M Scholarship Fund with SME Education

FANUC America has established the FANUC Automation Endowed Scholarship Fund in collaboration with the SME Education Foundation. As the largest automation scholarship in SME Education Foundation history, this initiative will foster the next generation of skilled professionals in advanced manufacturing and automation, the organizations report. 

The SME Education Foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of SME, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing.

Since 2019, FANUC America has created more than 400 jobs in Michigan and has invested more than $187 million across the continent. This scholarship builds upon the company’s strategic investment plan to support and advance industrial automation in North America.

How It Works

The FANUC Automation Endowed Scholarship Fund represents a long-term commitment by FANUC America along with its Authorized System Integrators (ASI) and Education Solutions Providers (ESP). Over the next 4 years, a minimum of $1 million will be contributed to establish an enduring endowment. This endowment will provide annual scholarships totaling at least $50,000 to students pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing and automation across the United States and Canada.

The manufacturing industry faces the challenge of a projected 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030 due to a shortage of skilled labor, according to Paul Aiello, executive director of Education for FANUC America,

With more than 60 distinct programs, the SME Education Foundation provides merit and need-based scholarships, issues renewing and one-time awards, and seeks applications from all eligible students. Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded $18 million to over 5,000 future industry leaders. The Foundation’s pplication platform streamlines the scholarship process, allowing students to submit a single online application. Through automated matching, eligible students are considered for the FANUC Automation Endowed Scholarship Fund.

The SME Education Foundation will accept scholarship applications for the 2025-26 school year starting November 1. For additional information on how to apply for a scholarship, visit SME Education Foundation. For information on FANUC education programming for students and schools, visit FANUC America.

As the philanthropic arm of SME, the SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares, and supports the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. Established in 1979, the Foundation works to expose youth to modern manufacturing technologies, train students on relevant manufacturing processes, and award millions of dollars in scholarships annually. 

FANUC America Corp. is a subsidiary of FANUC Corp. in Japan, and provides CNC systems, robotics, and factory automation. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.