WIA Accepting Applications for New Scarlett Grant Program and Student Scholarships

The Wood Industry Association (WIA) is separately seeking nominations for its inaugural James Scarlett Memorial School Grant Program and its long-running WIA Scholarship Program.

The deadline to apply for each of the programs is January 31, 2026.

About the Scarlett Grant Program
The WIA launched the James Scarlett Memorial School Grant Program to honor the memory and continue the influential legacy of James Scarlett, who died in a plane accident in 2024.

The James Scarlett Memorial School Grant Program is designed to directly support programs that are training future woodworkers.
Eligible educational institutions with an existing or developing woodworking, cabinetry, furniture, industrial design, or related program are invited to apply for a grant.

Funds can be used for:

• Purchasing woodworking machinery
• Acquiring software and supplies
• Supporting an industry-related school trip

Qualification Criteria
To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be an accredited K–12 public or private school, recognized educational non-profit, or post-secondary technical school in North America
• Offer an existing or developing woodworking-focused program
• Have a program that is fully operational or launching within 18 months of the award date
• Include documented support from school leadership

Grant applications will be reviewed by judges based on the program’s impact on students and the community, demonstrated financial need, and overall program quality.

Learn more and apply for the James Scarlett Memorial School Grant.

About the WIA Scholarship Program
The WIA Scholarship Program supports any college-bound individual planning to enroll or college student currently enrolled in a wood science or wood technology program.

Eligibility requirements include:

• The program, regardless of length, must be associated with an accredited two-year or four-year technical school, college, or university in North America.
• Applicants must have graduated from high school or its equivalent before July 1 of the scholarship year.
• Candidates must have sufficient academic records to be accepted by an accredited college, junior college, or technical institute.
• The scholarship is awarded for the fall semester and cannot be used for past expenses.
• Applicants who will have finished school before the fall semester are not eligible.
• There are no restrictions based on employment status, sex, race, creed, or nationality.
• Previous winners are eligible to reapply for scholarship funding, but cannot be awarded more than four times and must reapply each time.
• Individuals applying for or already in graduate programs are not eligible for scholarship funding.

Learn more and apply for a WIA Scholarship.