Give Back to the Construction IndustryParticipate in the AIC Education Foundation to Support the Future of Construction
The AIC Education Foundation is a 501c(3) charitable foundation dedicated to providing educational resources and opportunities for professional constructors. The AIC Education Foundation is dedicated to funding various educational programs that directly impact the lives of professional constructors and educators.
Specifically, the AIC Education Foundation helps fund scholarships for university students seeking to earn the Certified Associate Constructor (CAC) designation. The Foundation also promotes The Professional Constructor Journal, a scholarly journal published twice per year by AIC and AIC University, our online education program.
Announcing the 2026 American Institute of Constructors Education Foundation Dr. Dennis C. Bausman National Construction Education Program Certification Award
The American Institute of Constructors Education Foundation (AICEF) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Dr. Dennis C. Bausman National Construction Education Program Certification Award, which honors accredited university construction programs that serve as AIC exam sites and actively promote construction ethics and professional certification among their students. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2026.
- Award purpose & value: Recognizes accredited baccalaureate construction education programs that host AIC exams and promote constructor ethics and certification, with a custom plaque and a $4,000 stipend.
- Use of funds: Award funds must be used to enhance students’ education on construction ethics and professional certification, such as CAC prep sessions, participation in the AIC Ethics Competition, ethics-focused guest speakers, or joint industry–student activities.
- Core eligibility: Programs must be accredited baccalaureate construction education programs, serve as AIC Constructor Certification Commission–approved CAC exam sites, and administer AIC exams at least once per year.
- Student engagement: Programs must require or strongly encourage students to take the CAC exam, effectively prepare them for it, and demonstrate efforts to motivate successful examinees to complete certification.
- Ethics and certification initiatives: Applicants must document recent or ongoing initiatives that promote construction ethics and certification, including activities like the AIC Collegiate Ethics Competition.
- Application requirements: Eligible programs must submit a formal letter on institutional letterhead (maximum four typed pages) by March 1st, detailing how they meet all criteria, how funds will be used, and agreeing to submit a report within one year of receiving the award.
- Selection process: AIC Education Foundation Trustees review complete applications, vote to select the program that best meets the criteria, and present the award to the recipient program at an official Foundation meeting.
This award offers a meaningful opportunity for university construction programs to strengthen their ethics and certification initiatives while gaining national recognition for their commitment to preparing the next generation of professional constructors.
Announcing the 2026 American Institute of Constructors Education Foundation Construction Education Faculty and/or Student Travel Award
The American Institute of Constructors Education Foundation (AICEF) Construction Education Faculty and/or Student Travel Award provides financial support for ABET- and ACCE-accredited construction education programs for their faculty or students to attend construction-related events that enhance professional development. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2026.
- Award purpose and amount: Up to three annual awards of $2,000 each help support travel to student competitions, construction education meetings, national association events, and similar professional activities.
- Who can apply?: Eligible applicants are accredited colleges or universities whose faculty and students participate in associate, baccalaureate, or graduate construction education programs.
- Mission-driven initiatives: Programs must describe recent or ongoing efforts that promote the mission of AIC, such as students taking the CAC examination, participating in ethics competitions, or becoming AIC members.
- Application letter requirements: Applicants must submit a formal letter on college or university letterhead (maximum three double-spaced pages) explaining how they meet eligibility criteria, outlining AIC-related initiatives, and detailing how the funds will be used.
- Use of funds and reporting: The letter must show how travel will enhance professional growth (e.g., competitions, conferences, presentations) and include a commitment to submit a 1–3 page report within 60 days describing how the award funds were spent and the outcomes.
- Social media and submission details: Programs must agree to post three social media updates (LinkedIn, Instagram, and one additional outlet) highlighting the AIC Education Foundation and the learning gained, and submit the signed letter from the program head by March 1, 2026, to chair Andy Wasiniak (with a cc to Roger Liska).
- Selection and award process: A designated AICEF representative reviews applications for completeness, all Trustees vote on top candidates, and the three programs receiving the most votes are selected (with ties resolved by Trustees), with awards presented at a called meeting of the AICEF Trustees.
Overall, this award is designed to strengthen accredited higher education programs in construction by funding meaningful travel experiences that align with our mission and by visibly showcasing their impact through reporting and social media outreach.
Announcing the 2023 Francis R. Dugan Scholarship Recipient
We are eager to announce the winner of the 2023 Francis R. Dugan Scholarship award, as recognized by the American Institute of Constructors Education (AIC) Foundation. This year’s winner is Michelle Farias, a Construction Management student at the University of Houston!
Michelle was awarded a $2,000 scholarship to support her studies at Houston. She enrolled in Houston’s esteemed program in Fall 2021 and expects to graduate in Spring 2024. Consider her impressive credentials:
- Academic Performance: 4.0 GPA
- Academic Awards and Honors: President’s List and CMAA Scholarship (Spring 2022)
- Industry: internship as a Project Coordinator with a commercial construction company
- Internship Duties: administration and coordination of construction project input into the Procore construction management software.
About the Francis R. Dugan Scholarship
The scholarship was created by the AIC’s Education Foundation to award financial assistance to students in accredited construction management-related Associate and Baccalaureate degree programs.
The scholarship is named for longtime AIC Member and AIC Education Foundation Founder Francis R. Dugan, FAIC. Mr. Dugan passed away on December 26, 2014. Mr. Dugan was a member of the AIC for over 45 years, a Past National President, and CPC #93. Each year, at least one scholarship is awarded.
Support The AIC Education Foundation
The AIC Education Foundation is funded by contributions from individuals and companies that share the values of providing educational opportunities to professionals in the construction industry. As a 501c(3) charitable organization, all contributions to the AIC Education Foundation are 100% tax deductible.
You can also directly support the AIC Education Foundation. The scholarship was established in 2014 to honor one of the founding members of the AIC and the AIC Education Foundation, Francis R. Dugan, FAIC. The Dugan Scholarship is awarded yearly to one Construction Management University Student in the amount of $2,000. Become a supporter of the Fran Dugan Scholarship by making a tax-deductible donation today!
Please mail your contribution to:
The American Institute of Constructors Education Foundation
c/o Dave Mattson, Sr., FAIC, CPC
Treasurer
D. R. Mattson, Inc.
Post Office Box 27842
Tempe, Arizona 85285-7842
If you prefer to make a direct contribution at your local Edward Jones office, please contact either:
- Dave Mattson, Sr., FAIC, CPC, Treasurer
(602) 757-5733
[email protected] - Andrew Wasiniak, FAIC, CPC, Chair
(313) 221-1013
[email protected]