The Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC) and the SVC Foundation have opened applications for their annual Travel Sponsorship and Scholarship programs.
The SVC and the foundation say they are continuing their commitment to supporting the next generation of technicians, engineers, scientists, and industry professionals involved in vacuum coating and related technologies.
Visit https://www.svc.org/membership/svc-student-young-professional-travel-sponsorship-program/ for information on applying.
Designed to encourage student engagement and early-career participation in the surface engineering and vacuum coating industries, the two programs provide complementary opportunities for qualified applicants worldwide. Students and young professionals are encouraged to apply for both programs to maximize their chances of receiving financial support.
This year, the SVC announced an expansion of its Travel Sponsorship Program. The organization’s Young Members Committee will fund an additional student travel award, enabling one more recipient to attend the 2027 SVC TechCon in Dallas.
“Capturing the imagination and interest of young technicians, engineers, and scientists is essential to sustaining the ecosystem of technologies and companies that make up the SVC community,” the organization noted in announcing the programs.
Travel Sponsorship Program Supports Student and Young Professional Presenters
The SVC Student/Young Professional Travel Sponsorship Program provides selected recipients with travel assistance and complimentary conference registration to attend the SVC Annual Technical Conference (TechCon). Awardees must present an oral technical paper at the event.
The program is open to full-time students as well as young professionals under the age of 35 who are employed in industry. Applicants from academia, research organizations, technical institutions, and commercial enterprises in the United States and internationally are encouraged to apply.
A limited number of sponsorships will be awarded based on a competitive review process conducted by the SVC Travel Sponsorship Committee. Applications are evaluated on several factors, including:
- Quality and completeness of the application
- Relevance of the project to SVC’s mission and technical interests
- Potential impact of the proposed presentation
- Alignment with the selected conference session
- Demonstrated need for financial assistance
Preference is generally given to applicants who have not previously received SVC travel sponsorship support. The committee also seeks to distribute awards among a diverse range of institutions.
Participation Requirements
Applicants must secure a sponsor before applying. Sponsors may be faculty advisors, supervisors, or qualified representatives from academic, research, or technical organizations who are familiar with both the applicant’s work and the nature of SVC’s technical programs.
In addition, recipients must agree to provide either a manuscript based on their presentation or the PowerPoint presentation delivered at TechCon for subsequent publication by SVC. Submission of these materials is required before any financial support is distributed.
Key Deadline
Applications and abstracts for the SVC Travel Sponsorship Program must be submitted by October 4, 2026.
With growing demand for skilled professionals across advanced manufacturing, vacuum coating, and surface engineering sectors, the SVC and SVC Foundation programs continue to play an important role in helping emerging talent gain technical exposure, present research, and build industry connections on a global stage.
For students and young professionals interested in advancing their careers while contributing to the future of vacuum coating technology, the 2027 programs represent a valuable opportunity for professional development and industry engagement.
