Scholarships
The ACE Mentor Program is an after-school program designed to motivate high school students toward architecture, construction management, and construction related engineering careers. Since 1995, ACE has been opening students’ minds to the possibilities available to them in these careers by engaging them in year-long design projects with professional architects, construction managers, and engineers. By working with the Mentors in the classroom, students are able to see and experience first-hand the world of the building design and construction professional.
The ACE Mentor Program wants to see all students succeed in achieving their goals. We are excited to offer individual scholarships to eligible Juniors & Seniors planning to pursue college majors related to the A.C.E fields.
2025-2026 scholarship application
Scholarships open Monday, February 9, 2026 and close Friday, April 10, 2026
Scholarship recipients will be announced at the Scholarship awards program at the Student Showcase End-of-Year Celebration event at SDSU.
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Candidates for the ACE Mentor Program’s Scholarship Program must participate for at least one entire year (Spring/Fall) in the ACE Mentor Program and, must have registered at ACEMentor.org to be eligible AND plan to enroll full-time in an undergraduate major related to architecture, construction management, or construction-related engineering or related fields as approved by the Scholarship Committee.
All applications must be done online at www.acementorsd.org
Eligible candidates must submit all of the following materials:
Online application and two 500-word essays from the four topics.
An official academic transcript. Email transcripts to the ACE Scholarship Committee at: alawrence@dyna-sd.com
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Architecture: The process and the product of planning, designing, and constructing buildings or other structures. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural symbols and as works of art.
Architectural Engineering: Also known as building engineering, this is an engineering discipline that deals with the technological aspects and multi-disciplinary approach to planning, design, construction and operation of buildings, such as analysis and integrated design of environmental systems (energy conservation, HVAC, plumbing, lighting, fire protection, acoustics, vertical and horizontal transportation, electrical power systems), structural systems, behavior and properties of building components and materials, and construction management.
Civil Engineering: A professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways.
Construction Management: A professional service that provides a project's owner(s) with effective management of the project's schedule, cost, quality, safety, scope, and function.
Construction Trades (vocational): Electrician, HVAC, Plumbing, etc.
Construction Technology: On the forefront of creating new applications and tools that are changing how the construction industry designs, plans and executes its projects. These advanced software and construction-focused hardware will help shape the industry for decades.
Must have focus on one of the ACE disciplines
Electrical Engineering: An engineering discipline concerned with the study, design and application of equipment, devices and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
Environmental Engineering: A professional engineering discipline and takes from broad scientific topics like chemistry, biology, ecology, geology, hydraulics, hydrology, microbiology, and mathematics to create solution that will protect and also improve the health of living organisms and improve the quality of the environment.
Must have focus on one of the ACE disciplines
Geotechnical Engineering: A specialization within civil engineering that involves investigating and understanding what is beneath the ground's surface. Geotechnical engineers figure out the impact that geological formations may have on construction projects.
Interior Design: The art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space.
Landscape Architecture: Includes site analysis, site inventory, site planning, land planning, planting design, grading, storm water management, sustainable design, construction specification and ensuring that all plans meet the current building codes and local and federal ordinances.
Mechanical Engineering: An engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science to design, analyze, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems only in the construction industry.
Structural Engineering: A sub-discipline of civil engineering in which structural engineers are trained to design the 'bones and muscles' that create the form and shape of man-made structures.
Urban Planning: Also known as regional planning, town planning, city planning, or rural planning, is a technical and political process that is focused on the development and design of land use and the built environment, including air, water, and the infrastructure passing into and out of urban areas.
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Other Scholarship and Internship Opportunities
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The Home Depot Foundation Path to Pro Scholarship
$2,500 Construction Careers Scholarships
Eligibility Requirements:
Be a high school senior, high school graduate or have a GED equivalent.
Plan to enroll, or be enrolled within 1 year, in an approved trade-related program at an accredited two-year school or institution (i.e. technical/vocational school, community college or training center) in the United States.
Not be an employee or dependent of an employee of the The Home Depot. Employees of The Home Depot and their dependents are eligible to apply for a scholarship from The Homer Fund.
Programs/Career Paths: Carpentry, Construction Management, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing.
Application Deadlines & Announcements
Application Deadline: Last day of March, June, September and December.
Winners will be notified approximately 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.
Scholarships must be used within 1 year of acceptance.
Awards are paid directly to recipient's school or training center. Please review our acceptable use of funds policy via the Scholarship "How it Works" Link on our webpage.
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DPR Build Up High School Internship
Expand your knowledge this summer with DPR’s Build Up High School Internship in Construction Management. Tool belts not required!
DPR’s Build Up Internship is an 8-week, in-person program where participants work 35-40 hours per week.
What You Will Do
With the guidance of a dedicated mentor team, Build Up interns will work 35–40 hours per week on an active jobsite and support essential construction management functions, including:
Assisting with subcontractor coordination and communication
Supporting document control and project tracking
Participating in quality inspections and site walks
Learning jobsite safety practices and participating in safety training
Helping update schedules, site plans, and project documentation
Completing a variety of entry-level construction management assignments, both alongside mentors and independently
Application deadline: April 15, 2026
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CMAA San Diego 2026 Scholarship Program
The Mission of CMAA is "To promote and enhance leadership, professionalism, and excellence in managing the development and construction of projects and programs."
The Vision of CMAA is "to be the recognized authority in managing the development and construction of projects and programs".
The Purpose of the CMAA San Diego Regional Chapter’s Scholarship Awards is to promote student involvement in the Chapter, and to reward students exhibiting genuine interest in the improvement of the construction management industry, as demonstrated in their studies and statements of short and long-term goals.
ELIGIBILITY
1. Applicant must be enrolled in an Associate's, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program with an emphasis in the Architectural/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry at a California college/university located in San Diego or Imperial County. Preference will be given for Construction focused programs.
2. Applicant must have full-time enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year (part-time students are not eligible for awards).
3. Applicant must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Online applications must be submitted in electronic format via the CMAA San Diego’s website (https://cmaa-sd.org/Student_Outreach). E-mail in PDF applications will not be accepted.
2. Applicant is responsible for ensuring that all items/documents listed below are included with their application using the upload feature of the online application:
a)Grade Transcript or Degree Progress Report (un-official transcripts are acceptable)
b)Recommendation Letter(s)
c)Proof of current enrollment (acceptable ways to evidence proof of enrollment may be a letter from the institution’s registration office, printout from a school-related website that indicates enrollment status (such as Web Portal) or other proof that demonstrates the applicant’s current enrollment status)
Applicant must be able to attend the CMAA San Diego Regional Chapter’s Awards Banquet and Scholarship Dinner between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on April 28, 2026, in San Diego.
Attention and consideration will be given to participation and/or involvement in professional/student organizations such as the Student Chapter of CMAA; enrollment in the CMIT program, participation in CMAA San Diego Regional Chapter events and other extracurricular activities, reference(s); applicant’s expressed interest in construction management, GPA and past CMAA scholarship awards.
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APWA Scholarship/Internship Program
Criteria for both Programs:
* Students must be pursuing a degree in a public works related field, such as civil engineering, surveying, construction management, geotechnical engineering, or other closely related technical fields that feed into public works careers.
* Students must have an address during the 2026-2027 school year (For Scholarship) and during summer of 2026 (for internship) within the Chapter region (San Diego or Imperial Counties)
*Each selected scholarship or internship recipient must attend an APWA Chapter General Lunch Meeting to be recognized by the Chapter
Additional information for scholarship applicants:
*In addition to pursuing a college degree, this program also has the option to support those who are pursuing a technical certification to become an operator or technician in the public works field
*Students shall request two letters of recommendation to be completed by school-related references such as a teacher, counselor, etc. Please have your references describe why they feel you should be considered for the APWA scholarship. Please include any information related to the applicant's accomplishments, character and needs as they feel may be applicable for consideration.
Additional information for internship applicants:
Must be available during the summer of 2026 (with a June/July start)
Must be a current college student
APPLICATION DEADLINE WILL BE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026 AT 5 PM