NIICA Launches 2026 Maddison Spaulding Memorial Scholarship to Support Women in Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing

Scholarship honors the legacy of an inspiring apprentice while supporting women pursuing careers in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing

HANOVER, MD, UNITED STATES, October 10, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Today, the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA) announced the opening of the application cycle for the 2026 Maddison Spaulding Memorial Scholarship, now entering its second year. Created to honor the legacy and memory of Maddison Spaulding, an apprentice at Applied Materials whose leadership and advocacy left a lasting mark on the semiconductor manufacturing community, the scholarship provides direct financial support for women in Registered Apprenticeships (RAs) across semiconductor and advanced manufacturing.

Maddison was more than an apprentice; she was a passionate advocate for the transformative power of RAs. As the first female apprentice in NIICA’s Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors (GAINS) program, she believed deeply in apprenticeships as pathways to access and opportunity. The scholarship keeps her voice alive and ensures her legacy continues to guide and uplift new women in the field.

Women remain underrepresented in manufacturing. Although women now make up roughly 29% of the U.S. manufacturing workforce, they still remain significantly underrepresented in a sector critical to our nation’s future. By addressing real-world challenges, the scholarship strengthens opportunities for women pursuing apprenticeships in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing.

“Maddison’s passion for her work and her unwavering support for those around her truly set her apart,” said Clara Neri-Mejia, Program Manager, Global Training Institute, Applied Materials. “She wasn’t just an exceptional apprentice; she was a role model who inspired everyone she worked with. Through this scholarship, we’re honored to carry forward her legacy by empowering other women to follow their dreams in semiconductor manufacturing.”

First awarded in early 2025, the scholarship provides up to five $1,000 grants each year. Funds are distributed to the selected apprentices to help cover wraparound needs such as transportation, childcare, tools, and other eligible costs. The inaugural class of recipients represented apprentices from Moog, Micron, and NY CREATES.

“Maddison’s story reminds us of the transformative power of Registered Apprenticeships,” said Mike Russo, President and CEO of NIICA. “She embodied the determination, skill, and spirit that make apprenticeships such a vital pathway for individuals and for our nation’s most critical industries. The Maddison Spaulding Memorial Scholarship ensures her legacy continues to inspire, while supporting the next generation of apprentices as they pursue meaningful careers in advanced manufacturing and semiconductors.”

This scholarship ensures that Maddison’s impact continues, inspiring apprentices to pursue meaningful careers and reinforcing the future of these critical industries.

About the Scholarship
The Maddison Spaulding Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to female RAs in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing who participate in NIICA’s GAINS program or equivalent Registered Apprenticeship tracks. Eligible candidates are nominated by mentors or supervisors and evaluated on criteria including resilience, leadership potential, and commitment to career excellence. The scholarship supports real, tangible needs that often act as barriers to participation.

New for 2026, NIICA has introduced a two-step submission process to simplify participation for both employers and apprentices. Companies with NIICA-affiliated Registered Apprenticeship programs are invited to submit nominations through January 1, 2026. Nominees will then be contacted directly by NIICA to complete their individual applications.

Application & Key Dates
• Application Opens: October 10, 2025
• Deadline for Nominations: January 1, 2026
• Recipients Announced: February 20, 2026

For full eligibility criteria and to apply, visit: www.niica.org/maddison-spaulding-scholarship.

About NIICA
The National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advancing a national strategy to strengthen the talent pipeline for strategic industries—advanced manufacturing and technology related industries critical to U.S. competitiveness and security. NIICA serves as a U.S. Department of Labor national industry Intermediary for Registered Apprenticeships in semiconductor, nanotechnology, and advanced manufacturing, and drives workforce solutions through its Center for Skill-based Learning™ and National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative.

Stephanie Frederick
NIICA
sfrederick@niica.org

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