The deadline for the 2015 MIA Natural Stone Scholarship is Friday, July 17, 2015. This scholarship is open to aspiring fabricators, installers, and administrative apprentices who meet the following criteria:

• Must have less than five years’ experience in the natural stone industry
• Must work for an MIA member company for at least six months prior to application
• Must be currently employed by an MIA member company when award is presented in January 2016

Applicants should submit a completed application form, along with a 250-500 word essay describing their commitment to the natural stone industry and a letter of recommendation from their employer. The scholarship covers travel and registration expenses for StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2016, held January 19-22, 2016 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. Winners will also attend MIA’s Annual Meeting.

The MIA Natural Stone Scholarship gives new stone professionals the chance to gain technical and practical knowledge, network, and explore their future leadership potential. 2014 scholarship recipient Stephen Beck, of Connecticut Stone Supplies, had this to say about winning the award: “I recommend anyone who is new to the industry to enter. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn and network and further my education about the stone industry.” 

This year’s scholarship is sponsored by Coldspring. For more information, please visit www.marble-institute.com/awards.