The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) provides Internship Grants to student chapters, employers and affiliated associations. For student chapters, these grants enable participation in industry events and support networking and educational initiatives that connect students with mechanical construction leaders.
For companies, the grants help offset training costs, incentivizing them to hire and mentor cost-effective new talent. For interns, the grants provide essential resources to gain hands-on experience, bridging the gap between education and real-world applications. Through this support, JRGF empowers the next generation in mechanical construction and strengthens the path from learning to careers.
Grant Description
Grants are 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 conferences such as the GreatFutures Forum or MCAA Convention.
Grant checks distributed:
- Interns: Up to $500 each
- Full-Time New Hires: Up to $1,000 each
Grant Eligibility
- Interns and full-time new hires must be active participants in a student chapter at a 4-year university.
- Interns and full-time new hires must be employed within the mechanical contracting industry.
- Minimum eligible internship duration is 8 weeks and may occur any time during the calendar year.
Grant Process
- DUE January 15 for previous calendar year interns.
- Example: 2027 grants are for interns from January – December 2026.
- Submitted by the Faculty or Industry Advisor.
- Must be submitted with an intern photo on the jobsite, at the office, by a company logo, or in company swag.
- One application will be accepted per school, per grant type. Please ensure all eligible interns and new hires are included on the applicable forms.
- Reviewed by the Career Development Scholarships & Grants Sub-Committee.
Student Chapter Internship Grant applications for 2026 are currently closed. Please check back on September 14, 2026 for the 2027 forms (2026 employment).
Contact MCAA’s Michele Hoffman with questions or to submit photos via email.
JRGF Foundation
Support Us
Please consider making a contribution to the John R. Gentille Foundation for a project, initiative or cause. JRGF is designated as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) by the IRS. Your support will be greatly appreciated and will be used to enhance the mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, HVACR service and industrial piping industries.