AIST Foundation Steel Intern Scholarships
Offered by AIST Foundation (Association for Iron & Steel Technology)
About This Scholarship
The AIST Foundation — the charitable arm of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology — awards up to 50 Steel Intern Scholarships each year to pull strong engineering and computing students into the North American steel industry. Standard awards are $7,500 for the academic year, and the single top applicant receives the Premier Intern Scholarship worth $12,000.
What makes this program distinctive is the built-in career pipeline: every scholarship is paired with a guaranteed, paid summer internship at a North American steel producer or steel-related company. Recipients for the 2027-28 academic year complete their internship during the summer of 2027, getting industry experience on top of the money.
Eligibility is broad by professional-society standards. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors heading into their first year of graduate school may apply from majors including engineering, engineering technology, computer science, data science, environmental science, and industrial safety. A 2.5 GPA clears the bar, and AIST membership is optional — it can strengthen an application but is not required.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate sophomores and juniors, plus seniors entering their first year of graduate school
- Majoring in engineering, engineering technology, computer science, data science, environmental/sustainability science, or industrial safety
- Minimum 2.5 GPA and full-time enrollment (12+ undergraduate credits)
- Citizen of a USMCA country (United States, Canada, or Mexico)
- Willing to complete a paid summer 2027 internship at a North American steel or steel-related company
How To Apply
- Complete the online application at aist.org during the August 1 - October 5, 2026 window
- Submit transcripts, recommendation materials, and essay responses about your interest in the steel industry
- Winners are announced in mid-December 2026, then matched with paid summer 2027 internships
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to join AIST to apply?
No. AIST says student membership through the Material Advantage program can enhance an application, but it is not mandatory.
Is the internship optional?
No — the paid summer internship at a North American steel producer or steel-related company is a core requirement of the scholarship.