Across the country, Structural Engineers Associations (SEAs) are brimming with creative ideas to strengthen our profession—mentorship programs, student outreach, seismic education, and more. But too often, those ideas stall without the resources to bring them to life.
That’s where the NCSEA Foundation’s SEA grant fund comes in. By pooling support from donors nationwide, the Foundation provides SEAs with the boost they need to launch programs that grow and sustain our profession from the ground up.
Your donations have already powered efforts like:
- Texas Student Chapters – Establishing new SEA student chapters at Texas Tech and the University of Texas at Arlington—introducing thousands of students to structural engineering and creating a pipeline for future leaders.
- Wisconsin Young Member Group – Expanding a new YMG from casual socials into statewide training, site tours, and symposiums that keep young engineers engaged and thriving.
- San Diego Seismic Outreach – Reviving a program that teaches earthquake science to 1,800+ middle school students, complete with shake table demonstrations—sparking early interest in engineering and reaching underserved communities.
SEA Grant Recipients
Evaluation Process
A subcommittee of the NCSEA Foundation Board will serve as the evaluation committee for the grant applications. Once the winning grants are selected by the subcommittee, they must be reviewed and approved by the NCSEA Foundation Board of Directors. In addition to the above information, several key factors will be evaluated with every grant application:
- Does the program support one or more of the Foundation’s pillars: People, Advocacy, or Innovation?
- How will the grant request advance the practice of structural engineering or strengthen your SEA?
- What is the potential impact of the program on the structural engineering profession or public awareness?
Grant Details
| Eligibility | Assessment Criteria |
|---|---|
| Any Structural Engineers Association (SEA) or individual member(s) of an SEA may apply for a grant. All applications must be reviewed and approved by the applicant's local SEA leadership before submission. Proposed initiatives must directly benefit and support the applicant's SEA and align with its mission and objectives. Projects that primarily support external organizations or initiatives unrelated to the SEA are not eligible for funding. Once SEA approval has been obtained, applications must be submitted through Submittable for consideration by the NCSEA Foundation. | A grant request may be submitted for any program that is consistent with the NCSEA Foundation Mission and Vision. Please note: The NCSEA Foundation will not consider requests for: - Political contributions or lobbying expenses. - Operational support for SEAs (e.g., new computers, staffing costs, bill payments, insurance coverage) |