SMTA Accepting Applications for $5,000 Charles Hutchins Educational Grant

The $5000 grant, co-sponsored by SMTA and Circuits Assembly magazine, is awarded annually to a graduate-level student pursuing a degree and working on thesis research in electronic assembly, electronics packaging, or a related field. The grant is intended for the purchase of technical books and research materials, for participation in conferences related to electronics assembly and packaging, and for living expenses if necessary. Applicants must hold a student membership in the SMTA.

The grant was established in 1998 in memory of Charles Hutchins, Ph.D., past president of the SMTA and distinguished industry colleague.

All required materials are due Monday, April 14, 2008. The Grant Committee reviews all qualified applications and makes their recommendation to the SMTA Board of Directors. The grant will be presented at the SMTA Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the SMTA International Conference in Orlando, Florida August 17-21, 2008.

The SMTA is accepting donations to the grant, which is the only form of funding the grant receives. The SMTA recently announced that for 2008 they will match "dollar for dollar" each donation made by an SMTA chapter (up to $1,000 per chapter) to the Hutchins Grant. The goal of making the grant self-sustaining may allow the Association to eventually increase the amount of the grant or to award more than one grant per year.

http://www.smta.org/hutchins/hutchins.cfm

The SMTA membership is an international network of professionals who build skills, share practical experience and develop solutions in electronic assembly technologies, including microsystems, emerging technologies, and related business operations.