CarbonCure Announces Sustainability in Concrete Scholarship

CarbonCure Technologies is proud to launch a new initiative with the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) Program to provide future leaders with the experience and knowledge they’ll need to advance sustainability in the concrete industry. 

As demand for low carbon construction materials continues to grow, so too does the opportunity for concrete producers to adopt a portfolio of techniques and technologies, such as CarbonCure, that can reduce their carbon emissions and strengthen their businesses. Change is never easy, however, especially in an industry like concrete that has been around for centuries. 

Educational institutions equip future leaders with problem-solving tools and strategies to drive innovation across the industry and ensure its longevity. The CIM Program, in particular, is keeping sustainability top of mind in concrete curricula. 

“Many of our employees are CIM Program graduates, and they attest to the value of a concrete-focused, business management education. Producers are also turning to us for help finding talent to lead their company’s transition to sustainability. We are proud to support future industry leaders as they build the skills they’ll need to adapt products, supply chains and business models to reduce emissions from cement and concrete manufacturing,” said CarbonCure Chair and CEO Robert Niven. “We applaud the program’s emphasis on innovation and low carbon solutions, demonstrating for CIM scholars that sustainability is good for business and good for their careers.”

What is the CIM Program?

The Concrete Industry Management (CIM) Program was developed in 1996 in response to the progressively changing concrete industry of the 21^st century. The coursework focuses on building the technical, communication and management skills required to facilitate a thriving concrete industry for generations to come.

The CIM Program began at the Middle Tennessee State University and has since expanded to the New Jersey Institute of Technology, California State University – Chico, Texas State University and South Dakota State University. In addition to the five program universities that offer degrees in CIM, a CIM Executive MBA is also available.

Alongside its academic institution partners, the CIM Program is also supported by leading organizations across the concrete industry that provide learning opportunities, scholarship funding, mentorships, internships and other guidance for students interested in pursuing a career in the concrete industry. 

Today, the program produces well-rounded graduates with a strong foundation in sustainability and business management skills. The concrete-specific courses teach the fundamentals of concrete, properties and testing, concrete construction, industry trends and more.

CarbonCure Sustainability in Concrete Scholarship

CarbonCure is on a mission to make concrete a climate solution, aiming to reduce and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 500 million metric tons each year. 

“As part of our mission, we are looking to support the next generation of sustainability champions within the concrete industry and are excited to launch the CarbonCure Sustainability in Concrete Scholarship in collaboration with our producer partners from around the world,” said CarbonCure Sr. Director of Sustainability Christie Gamble.

Any undergraduate freshman, sophomore or transfer student enrolled full time in a CIM academic institution can apply for the CarbonCure scholarship, provided they have demonstrated an interest in promoting sustainability within the concrete industry. 

The inaugural scholarship is available at each of the five institutions that offer the CIM Program and CarbonCure will award one scholarship of $2,000 per school. In addition to the funds, CarbonCure will also offer to one of the scholarship recipients an internship opportunity at its state-of-the-art research and development facilities in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. 

"Sustainability is a key benchmark for concrete producers today. The CarbonCure Scholarship in Concrete Sustainability comes at a pivotal time in our industry and will help support our current and future leaders to build the knowledge and practical experience they’ll need to face any unexpected challenges and build more sustainable businesses. We couldn’t be more excited about CarbonCure’s partnership with the CIM Program,"

said Jon Huddleston, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Associate Professor and CIM Program Director.

How to Apply for the CarbonCure Sustainability in Concrete Scholarship

Eligible scholarship participants must draft a 1,000-word essay explaining their understanding of concrete’s role in mitigating climate change and how they, personally, intend to contribute to building a more sustainable future through their careers in concrete. 

If you or someone you know may be a good candidate for the CarbonCure Sustainability in Concrete Scholarship, you can learn more about the program and submit your application here. Student submissions and essays will be judged by a panel of CarbonCure employees, and the application deadline is September 30, 2022.