Scholarship Application Information

Since 1998, the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE®) , leading global OEMs and Tier Suppliers, as well as the TPO supply chain have pooled their resources to create the SPE® Automotive TPO Engineered Polyolefins Global Conference , a dynamic, interactive, and cost-effective learning experience. The show highlights the importance of rigid and flexible polyolefins (TPOs) as well as a growing range of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) throughout the automobile and in other forms of ground transportation.

The event has become the world’s leading automotive polyolefins forum and typically draws over 600 key decision makers and some of the world’s foremost authorities on transportation polyolefin applications, economics, and market trends. As such, it provides excellent networking opportunities with key members of the automotive TPO, TPE, & TPV supply chain, and the opportunity to learn about designing lighter, less costly automotive components using the latest technologies and applications for these versatile materials.

For many years now, the Conference Committee has set aside a yearly scholarship fund from the Conference’s proceeds for applicants that are undergraduate or graduate students attending an approved college or university anywhere in North America. The amount of scholarship awards ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. It is awarded to candidates doing Undergraduate/Graduate research work on an independent project featuring rigid or flexible polyolefins (TPO, TPE, TPV). The development work may involve the materials development, processing, painting, additives to enhance properties, bonding, sustainability or any related studies involving TPO, TPE, TPV.
Student candidates interested in applying for our scholarship should fill out the application form on the next page and also submit a one-page description of the proposed work, expected results and candidate’s credentials. All applicants must be in good standing with their colleges or universities at the time they apply for the scholarship.

Deadline for submitting an application is August 11, 2025. It should be sent via e-mail to Karen Rhodes-Parker, SPE Detroit Section Administrative Assistant (Email: [email protected] and Phone Number: (248-244-8993). Final selection of the winner(s) will be decided after each finalist’s scheduled 20-minute presentation via WebEx during the month of September 2025. Once confirmed, the scholarship winner(s) are expected to write a paper (research report) and publish their findings at the 2026 SPE Automotive TPO Global Conference.