ASNT Foundation Receives Battelle STEM Innovation Grant to Advance Workforce Development and Outreach
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
(Columbus, OH) The ASNT Foundation has been awarded a STEM Innovation Grant from Battelle, which recently announced a $1.2 million investment in Central Ohio nonprofit organizations dedicated to STEM education.
The grant will help the Foundation expand educational programs in nondestructive testing (NDT), a field essential to the safety and reliability of infrastructure, energy systems, aerospace, manufacturing, and more. This pilot initiative will distribute 500 “Ultrasound in a Box” kits to after-school and weekend clubs, giving middle school students, particularly first-generation and underserved learners, an early introduction to NDT and its in-demand career opportunities.
“We are honored to be among the organizations recognized by Battelle’s generous investment in STEM,” said Heather Cowles, Executive Director of the ASNT Foundation. “This support strengthens our ability to expand our outreach and education opportunities, ensuring the next generation of professionals is equipped to meet the growing demand for NDT in industries vital to public safety and innovation.”
The ASNT Foundation provides scholarships, faculty grants, and fellowships, and supports workforce initiatives to advance NDT education and career pathways. Recent milestones include launching US Department of Labor-approved national apprenticeship guidelines and funding faculty-led projects to develop new curricula to broaden access to NDT education.
“This grant provides the resources to expand our reach, introducing students and educators to a critical and in-demand career pathway in NDT,” said Alex Rios, Fundraising Manager at the ASNT Foundation. “It’s an investment in the future of a highly skilled NDT workforce essential to keeping our world safe.”
For more details on Battelle’s $1.2 million investment across Central Ohio STEM initiatives, see the full release on Battelle’s recent STEM funding.
About the ASNT Foundation
Established in 2022, the ASNT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. As a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of our industry partners and individuals who understand the importance of nondestructive testing (NDT) and its role in creating a safer world to support current and future generations of NDT programs through scholarships, grants, research, and workforce development.
Media Contact:
Heather Cowles
ASNT Foundation Executive Director
