The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced the creation of the Fire Protection Engineering Support Fund on Wednesday, which will support fire protection engineering education and research programs at three American universities. 

Oklahoma State University Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology program, the University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering’s department of Fire Protection Engineering, and Worchester [MA] Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) department of Fire Protection Engineering are set to receive support from the NFPA’s new fund.

“This support marks the first time that the non-profit organization has committed funds to provide ongoing investment in the future of fire protection engineering,” the NFPA said in a press release. “At a time of unprecedented demand for leadership in FPE education, the NFPA funds will directly help these universities recognize fire protection engineering and research students who are tackling today’s most pressing fire protection challenges.”

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The institutions will use the funds to recognize students who show promise and passion for fire prevention engineering.

Oklahoma State University will recognize three students from its Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology program, who will receive an award to attend the NFPA’s annual conference and exhibition. 

The top five students from the University of Maryland’s department of Fire Protection Engineering will be given a stipend to cover time and travel expenses as they travel to schools to discuss careers in fire prevention engineering with teenagers engaged in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is using its share to create the NFPA Fire Protection Engineering Graduate Support Fund award, which will be distributed annually to a fire prevention engineering student during their course of study.

“Recipients of NFPA funds represent the future of fire protection engineering,” said Chris Dubay, NFPA’s vice president of engineering. “Supporting these students’ efforts presents a powerful opportunity to reinforce their passion and validate that their research has a real, vital impact on the world of fire protection.”

The inaugural winners of the fund’s awards will be recognized at NFPA’s Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 14, 2016.

Get more information or register for the International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference & Exhibition, May 3-5, 2016