2026-2027 MBEX Scholarship Application
Introduction
Embarking on a career within the construction and building industry presents both incredible opportunities and significant challenges. In recognition of this dynamic landscape, the Midwest Builders Exchange and its partner, The Builders Group Education Foundation, want to support and empower the next generation of industry leaders and innovators.
Description
The 2026-2027 MBEX / TBG Construction Scholarship will be awarded to multiple students pursuing a construction-related degree at an accredited post-secondary institution in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin.
Students pursuing specialty trades, such as masonry, electrical, and carpentry, are strongly encouraged to apply. Construction-related fields of study, such as construction management, heavy equipment operations, and others, are also eligible.
A completed application with all required attachments must be submitted by Friday, May 29, 2026, at 11:55pm. All applicants will be notified of their award status in early July 2026.
Questions can be directed to Ashlee at [email protected].
Qualifications
To qualify for the 2026-2027 MBEX / TBG Construction Scholarship, applicants must:
• Be pursuing a construction-related field of study at an accredited post-secondary educational institution, be it a trade school, a two-year technical or community college, or a four-year university.
• Be entering the Fall 2026 semester as a freshman, sophomore, or junior. Students completing their degree beyond the traditional four years may also be eligible to apply.
• Be studying at an accredited post-secondary institution located in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and upload a copy of their most recent transcript.
• Possess a strong passion for the construction and building industry.
• Submit two short answers and one 600-word essay on the presented topic.
• Provide a Letter of Recommendation written by a professional / industry contact, a community leader, organizational representative, academic instructor, or academic advisor.
• Agree to attend a minimum of ONE MBEX-sponsored event during Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027. If a scholarship is awarded to an applicant living outside of Minnesota, further conversations will be had with MBEX staff on how you can fulfill this obligation.
Previous scholarship recipients are more than welcome to reapply if they meet the scholarship criteria and the Fall 2026 semester is not their final semester of study.
Selection Process
The scholarship application and review process will roughly follow the timeline below:
• Friday, May 29 @ 11:55pm - All applications, in full, must be submitted. A fully completed application includes all requested documentation, and it must be submitted via the online Kaleidoscope portal by the indicated date and time. Failure to provide all parts will result in the disqualification of one's application.
• Early June 2026 - MBEX Scholarship Committee reviews and scores all qualified applications.
• Late June 2026 - MBEX Scholarship Committee meets to discuss applications, select awardees, and determine award dollar amounts.
• July 2026 - All applicants notified of their award status.
ABOUT MBEX
The Midwest Builders Exchange (MBEX) is where commercial construction professionals across the Upper Midwest come to move their business forward, from project information to business insights and first-time bids to long-term partnerships. MBEX offers a user-friendly Plan Room, hosts a variety of events, and connects industry professionals who understand the value of collaboration.
The real work of construction doesn't happen in isolation; it happens between people. MBEX is not just a Plan Room; it's a connection point. A place where estimators, subcontractors, suppliers, and partners come together to exchange knowledge, build trust, and grow the industry.
Since 1888, MBEX has been the region's trusted source for meaningful industry relationships as well as accurate project information. Today, through our industry-leading Online Plan Room, MBEX's dedicated reporting team tracks and publishes nearly 5,000 commercial projects each year from across the Upper Midwest, helping members discover bidding opportunities earlier and make smarter bidding decisions. Our platform provides access to project plans, specifications, addenda, bidder lists, and award information, giving members the insights they need to pursue work with confidence.