International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers

International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers supports postsecondary education for Iron Workers families through named scholarship programs tied to union membership and academic readiness. Its education-related work reaches the children of members, including children, stepchildren, adopted children, and court-appointed custodial children in at least some programs. The organization’s scholarship activity serves high school seniors who plan to enroll full time in associate or bachelor’s degree programs and who intend to study in the United States or Canada. A clear example is the Eric S. Waterman Scholarship, which opens on 3/1/2026 and closes on 5/30/2026. That program is directed to children of members of Iron Workers Local 48, requires applicants to rank in the top 50% of their class, and looks for participation in extracurricular activities or leadership. The organization also offers the John H. Lyons Sr. Scholarship for graduating high school seniors who are children of Iron Workers, also centered on students in the top 50% of their class who are pursuing associate or bachelor’s degrees in the U.S. or Canada. Across these programs, award amounts vary, and the emphasis falls on educational advancement rather than essay submission, financial need, or merit scoring alone. Taken together, these scholarships show an organization investing in the next generation of Iron Workers families across the U.S. and Canada. Its scholarship criteria connect family affiliation, academic standing, and student engagement outside the classroom, positioning higher education support as a meaningful part of how it serves its membership community.