Security Industry Association Opens Applications for Three 2026 Scholarship Programs

SIA invites security industry professionals and students to apply for the SIA RISE, Veterans in Security and Women in Security Forum Scholarships.

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) is now accepting applications for three key 2026 scholarship programs: the SIA RISE Scholarship, SIA Veterans in Security Scholarship and Women in Security Forum Scholarship. These initiatives offer funds to security industry professionals, as well as students, to help them further their professional development and educational goals.

The SIA RISE Scholarship, presented by SIA’s RISE community, offers $3,000 scholarships to create the education and career development goals of young security professionals, student members and those new to the industry. The scholarship—open to SIA student members and RISE members who are employees of SIA member companies worldwide— is intended to expand recipients’ professional knowledge in the areas of business, human resources, information technology, marketing/sales, project management, security engineering and risk management. Scholarship funds can be used toward continuing education, student loan repayment and professional development programs such as training and certifications. The 2026 RISE Scholarship is generously supported by Allegion, Axis Communications, Brivo, Convergint, Genetec, HID, M.C. Dean, Securitas Technology and ZKTeco USA. In 2026, select honorees will receive three special RISE Scholarships: the Joey Comunale Scholarship, the Dalal Family Scholarship and the Pierre Trapanese Scholarship.

New in 2026, the SIA Veterans Security Scholarship program is dedicated to advancing the education and careers of military veterans. This program, presented by the SIA Veterans in Security community, will award multiple scholarships of up to $5,000 each to support awardees in a wide range of scholarly and vocational pursuits, including college degrees, certificate programs and professional learning and development, related to security, as well as student loan repayment for programs related to the industry. The Veterans in Security Scholarship is open to U.S. military veterans who are currently associated with SIA member companies and/or currently serving members of the U.S. military who are planning to transition to private-sector careers in security.

The SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship was created to further educational opportunities for the widest spectrum of people and empower all to join the SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF) and thrive in the security industry. Through this scholarship—open to all SIA members and student members—each recipient will be awarded $7,500 to use toward approved degree programs, continuing education, repayment of student loans and professional development programs (e.g. training courses, certifications and conferences). The 2026 WISF Scholarship is presented with the generous support of Diamond Level sponsors Axis Communications and Convergint; Ruby Level sponsors Brivo, Johnson Controls, PSA, SAGE Integration and Zenitel; and Sapphire Level sponsors Defined Marketing, Fracktional Solutions and Vector Firm. Each year, SIA awards the top-scoring scholarship applicant with the Sandy Jones Award, a special scholarship distinction named for industry veteran and longtime SIA member Sandra (Sandy) Jones. 

“SIA’s RISE, Veterans in Security and Women in Security Forum scholarships—presented by three vibrant SIA member communities—are excellent opportunities to support your professional development, learning and growth,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “SIA is proud to build on our commitment to fostering the next-generation security workforce, and with more scholarships this year than ever before, we look forward to helping our industry’s emerging leaders, young professionals, women and military veterans achieve their professional and educational goals.”

Applications for these scholarship programs are due Friday, Sept. 11. Learn more about SIA’s scholarship programs and apply here.

About SIA

SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,700 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA GovSummit, which brings together private industry with government decision-makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industry’s top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.