The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) Internship Grant program was upgraded in 2025 to offer a new level of support for the multiple entities involved with developing the future talent of our industry.
Therefore, Part 1 of the ‘legacy program’ (internships) was discontinued at the conclusion of 2024. However, to allow for Part 1 interns from 2024 to be hired upon graduation in 2025, the Part 2 (full-time new hires) remained active throughout 2025.
Don’t miss your company’s chance to submit a Part 2 grant. The final due date for the legacy program is December 31, 2025.
What are the details on submitting a Part 2 Internship Grant?
- Due by December 31, 2025, then discontinued in 2026.
- For companies successfully converting an intern from their previous Part 1 list (2024 or earlier) to a full-time new hire in 2025, a $500 check will be mailed to the company, to present to their new hire.
- New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must have been included on a Part 1 list.
2026 will be here before we know it! Program details for the new year follow.
2026 Program – Employers
What are the 2026 internship Grant Details for Employers?
Intended to offer support to mechanical contracting companies that are new to offering internships, small companies, or those that are looking to grow their internship program in the mechanical industry.
- $1,000 grant (25 total available)
- Due April 1, 2026, for 2026 planned internships.
- Notified of award by May 1, 2026.
- Submitted by the company. One application per company location.
- 8-week internship minimum may occur any time during 2026. Intern may be from any 4-year accredited college or university. Internship must be in the mechanical contracting industry.
- Following the internship, a photo must be submitted with the intern on the jobsite, at the office, by a company sign, or in branded swag.
2026 Program – Affiliated Associations
What are the 2026 Internship Grant Details for Affiliated Associations?
Intended to offer support for the development and growth of local student chapter programming that creates new employment opportunities or student inclusivity at events with potential employers and/or mentoring programs/new resources for student chapters.
- $5,000 grant (5 total available)
- Due April 1, 2026 for 2026 plans.
- Notified of award by May 1, 2026.
- Submitted by the Affiliated Association Executive or Staff.
- One application will be accepted per Affiliated Association, covering all related 4-year schools with student chapters.
2026 Program – Student Chapters
What are the 2026 Internship Grant Details for Student Chapters?
Intended to offer additional support to student chapters that are successfully connecting students with internship and full-time employment in the mechanical contracting industry. Chapters are encouraged to utilize this funding to bring additional students to future mechanical educational conference such as the MCAA GreatFutures Forum or MCAA Convention.
Student Chapter: Internship Grant Forms for 2026
- Up to $500 per intern from 2025.
- Up to $1,000 per full-time new hire from 2025.
- Due January 15, 2026 for interns/new hires from the 2025 calendar year (January 2025 – December 2025).
- Notified of award in March 2026.
- Submitted by the Faculty Advisor or Industry Advisor.
- One application will be accepted per school, per grant type.
- Must be submitted with a photo of the intern/new hire on the jobsite, at the office, by a company logo or in company swag.
- Interns and full-time new hires must be active participants in a student chapter at a 4-year college or university.
- Minimum eligible internship duration is 8 weeks and may have occurred at any time during the 2025 calendar year.
Looking for more information on the MCAA Career Development Initiative?
Contact Michele Hoffman (mhoffman@mcaa.org) or visit MCAA’s Career Development Initiative page to learn more about student chapter programming.
Also be sure to check out the JRGF website to explore the work the John R. Gentille Foundation is doing to further education and research in the mechanical industry.
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