Security Industry Association Opens Applications for Two 2025 SIA Scholarship Programs

The Security Industry Association (SIA) is now accepting applications for two key SIA scholarship programs: the SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship and the James Rothstein Business Scholarship. These scholarships offer funds to security industry professionals, as well as students, to help them further their career, professional development and educational goals.

The SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF) Scholarship, an initiative established in 2020 and led by the SIA WISF community, offers multiple scholarships worth $7,500 each that SIA members and students can use toward professional development and education. SIA’s Women in Security Forum is a community for both women and men that works to promote, recruit and cultivate the leadership of women for a more inclusive and diversified industry. The WISF Scholarship program was created to further educational opportunities for the widest spectrum of people and empower all to join the SIA Women in Security Forum and thrive in the security industry. Scholarship funds may be used toward registration for SIA education or certification programs and/or conferences; repayment of student loan debt; registration for other industry education and certification programs; tuition for courses that will lead to completion of accredited trade, vocational or academic degree programs related to the security industry; and registration for industry online learning programs. The 2025 program is generously supported by Axis Communications, Brivo, Eagle Eye Networks, GSA Schedules Inc., Securitas Technology and Clear Cloud. Each applicant must be either 1) a SIA student member or 2) a member of SIA WISF and an employee of a SIA member company. Applications are due Friday, Aug. 22.

The James Rothstein Business Scholarship, established in 2024, is designed to support emerging professionals and students in the security industry by providing financial assistance to attend the Securing New Ground (SNG) conference. This competitive scholarship program covers SNG conference passes and travel expenses, enabling recipients to gain invaluable business insights, network with industry leaders and enhance their professional development at the security industry’s executive conference (taking place Oct. 14-15, 2025, in New York City). This scholarship was named after James Rothstein, operating partner at Lee Equity and a past member of SIA’s Board of Directors who served as chair from 2022 to 2024. In his role as a leader on the SIA board, Rothstein played an instrumental role in the development of the annual SNG conference, and he continues to support industry education and career advancement opportunities for early career professionals and students through various advisement and volunteer service roles. Each applicant must be either 1) a SIA student member or 2) a member of the SIA RISE community and an employee of a SIA member company. Applications are due Friday, Aug. 22.

“SIA is proud to offer impactful scholarships that help young professionals and women in security invest in their growth and take steps toward future goals and successes,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “These scholarships, one presented by our vibrant Women in Security Forum community and one named for an inspiring industry leader, provide valuable opportunities for our members to grow their knowledge and skills, advance in their careers and advance the next-generation security workforce. We encourage members to apply and spread the word about these scholarships and look forward to recognizing a new class of honorees in 2025.”

SIA will announce the winners of the 2025 Denis R. Hébert Identity Management Scholarship program during the 2025 AcceleRISE conference, taking place Aug. 4-6 in Boston, Massachusetts. This program annually awards two $5,000 scholarships to young professionals who are current employees of SIA member companies to help further their education in the field of identity management.

SIA will soon open applications for the SIA RISE Scholarship, an initiative led by the SIA RISE community for emerging security leaders. The SIA RISE Scholarship offers candidates $3,000 awards that can be used toward continuing education, student loan repayment and professional development programs such as training and certifications. Details will come soon; stay tuned to learn more!

Learn more about SIA’s scholarship programs and apply here.

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