Shifting gears –
For years, the RPM Foundation has provided critical funding to training and education programs focused on teaching youth the skills necessary to maintain, restore and preserve special interest vehicles. While we will return to this model in the future, our focus is now placed on the RPM Apprentice Program, which places students in working restoration shops, ensuring they are paid for their hands-on training.
Learn about the RPM Apprentice Program
With partner shops around the United States, we encourage you to apply to become an RPM Apprentice if you are interested in a career in automotive restoration. Our goal is to ensure students of the trade are provided with exceptional paid opportunities to learn the intricate processes of restoration. Whether you desire to work in fabrication, upholstery, mechanical restoration or another area of interest, we can match you with a shop staffed by leading professionals who are eager to share their knowledge. Click here to learn more and to apply!
Please continue to check this page to stay up to date on our future grant opportunities.
About our grant programs
If your program is committed to hands-on education and teaching young people the specialized skills and knowledge needed to maintain cars, motorcycles and boats, we admire what you’re doing. And we want to help fund it!
Aren’t sure if your program fits? Check out our list of past recipients to get a good idea of what programs we’ve already funded, and read all of the information on this page to learn what we’re looking for. Feel free to contact us with your program details to see if it fits before you spend time on an application.
Before completing the application, please read the following carefully.
Who we are:
The RPM Foundation supports the education and training of the next generation of vehicle restoration and preservation craftsmen and women. RPM safeguards the critical skills necessary to restore and preserve collector vehicles by supporting hands-on training and engaging the next generation.
What we do:
We promote interest in collectible cars, motorcycles and boats by developing the next generation of enthusiasts, restorers and craftsmen. By providing funding through scholarships and grants to organizations that have a proven history of being committed to hands-on training, we are securing the future of the vehicle restoration and preservation industry.
What we’re looking for:
We are concerned about the future and the fact that fewer young people are learning the trades and skills that will help preserve our heritage. To that end, we help organizations who are dedicated to instructing and training the next generation to restore and preserve vintage cars, motorcycles and boats, as well as providing them with a pathway to careers.
Typical Grant Awards & Expectations
An average first-time grant award is about $10,000. Grant awardees are required to submit progress reports via social media updates throughout the term of the grant. Applicants should also provide information about other funding sources should RPM only award a portion of the applicant amount requested.
Our highest priorities today are student apprenticeships, internships, and scholarships. The RPM Foundation does not fund salaries. Equipment / parts / materials funding requests must be accompanied by an itemized cost list. Programs with a proven track record of career placement stand the best chance of receiving funding.
Application Dates:
| Deadlines | Announcement Dates |
Our grants program is currently on hold while we focus on expanding the RPM Apprenticeship Program. At this time we do not have an estimated date when the grant application process will reopen.