The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has launched a new program to assist in establishing and maintaining fluid power laboratories at qualifying educational institutions.  Through its Fluid Power Laboratory Program, the Foundation will offer grants to qualifying schools to support the acquisition of fluid power materials, components and equipment.  The Foundation’s goal this first year is to award $100,000 to one school.  To date, the Foundation has received $35,500 in pledges—and one member company has agreed to match funds up to the first $50,000.  Your support is needed to help us raise the remaining $14,500. 

Qualifying educational applicants will be judged on the number of students expected to use the lab to learn about fluid power’s competitive advantages.  Components, hardware and the courses and activities educators will use to teach students about fluid power will also be taken into consideration.  To ensure that the Laboratory remains state of the art, grant recipients will be required to submit an annual status report.  The report will include information about student involvement, how the laboratory was used and what projects were initiated and completed.

Your support is needed

All NFPA members are invited to make donations or provide parts and equipment for the laboratory program. There are a number of ways to support the program:

• Make a monetary donation.
• Contribute parts or equipment.
• Serve on a review committee.

Join the growing number of companies that have already pledged financial or material support: Alro Steel, Bimba Manufacturing, Caterpillar, Deltrol Fluid Products, Eaton Corporation, Enfield Technologies, HUSCO International, Parker Hannifin, Poclain Hydraulics, ROSS Controls, Sun Hydraulics and Wojanis Supply Company.

For further information on how your company can get involved, contact Eric Lanke at elanke@nfpa.com or (414) 778-3351.