George J. Barker Memorial Scholarship
Offered by Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF)
About This Scholarship
The George J. Barker Memorial Scholarship is a graduate-level award from the Foundry Educational Foundation, the nonprofit that links the U.S. metalcasting industry with engineering and materials programs. The maximum award can reach $5,000, though FEF notes that funding levels, the number of applicants, and need can change the final amount.
The scholarship is open to U.S., Canadian, and Mexican citizens actively pursuing graduate study. Students at FEF Certified or Affiliated schools in Wisconsin get first preference, followed by students at other FEF schools, so graduate students in metallurgy, materials science, or manufacturing engineering with a casting focus are the natural fit.
The application asks for a description of your course of study and work experience instead of a formal essay, and finalists are interviewed by the evaluation committee in person or by phone. With a mid-December deadline, it is one of the first graduate metalcasting awards of the cycle.
Eligibility
- Actively pursuing graduate-level studies with acceptable academic performance
- U.S., Canadian, or Mexican citizen
- Preference for students at FEF Certified or Affiliated schools in Wisconsin, then other FEF schools
- Complete and updated FEF student profile (resume upload recommended)
How To Apply
- Complete and update your FEF student profile on fefinc.org and upload a resume
- Log in and register for the George J. Barker Memorial Scholarship
- Describe your course of study and work experience in the online application and complete the separate graduate application form
- Submit by December 15, 2026 and check for a confirmation email within one hour
- Be ready for an in-person or phone interview with the evaluation committee
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Barker scholarship worth?
FEF says the maximum award could be as much as $5,000, but the amount can vary with funding, the number of applicants, and need.
Do I have to attend a Wisconsin school?
No. Wisconsin FEF schools get first preference and other FEF schools come next, but the page does not make either a strict requirement.