STLE NextGen Fund

By Rebecca Lintow, CAE, Executive Director | TLT Headquarters Report December 2024

Join us in inaugurating our new investment in the future of the industry.


In line with our STLE 2023-2026 Strategic Plan goals, STLE leadership has been working diligently to revitalize our efforts to foster the next generation of tribologists and lubrication engineers. As a result, I am pleased to announce the launch of the new STLE NextGen Fund. 

Your generous donation will support STLE’s efforts to attract young talent to the tribology and lubrication engineering field. This is a critical and timely concern in our field, as highlighted in the new STLE special report, Knowledge Transfer Challenges in the Lubricants Industry. This report considers lubricant industry demographics and concerns that experienced lubricant professionals are not being replaced in time to transfer their industry knowledge to a new generation. You can download it for free at www.stle.org/knowledgetransfer.

What can you do now to help ensure that the rich technical knowledge of our community is passed on to the next generation? The STLE NextGen Fund offers an answer. Your donation to the Fund will directly support the STLE programs that provide financial assistance to student and early career professionals as they gain essential knowledge and experience. This Giving Tuesday, the STLE Board of Directors is working to build awareness with a challenge to kick off our fundraising efforts. We officially invite the entire STLE community to participate. Watch our social media channels for more details December 2-4.

The STLE Presidential Awards Program provides academic scholarships to encourage students to pursue an advanced degree or a career in tribology or lubrication engineering by subsidizing a research project related to the field. Since 1995, STLE has given out $182,000 in scholarships to 143 recipients. The STLE Early Career Awards recognize the technical achievements of STLE student members, young researchers and junior-level academic faculty and provides financial support for attendance to the STLE Annual Meeting. For eligibility requirements and more information, visit www.stle.org/scholarships

Both individuals and companies are invited to donate in support of a bright future for our industry. Your tax-deductible gift supports Early Career Awards, Student and Early Career Research Posters, Local Section Matching Funds, Tribology STEM Camp Initiatives, the Presidential Awards Program and more. Named gift opportunities also are available. Join the growing number of STLE members and companies supporting the 2024 STLE NextGen Fund at www.stle.org/donate.

Donors will receive periodic updates from STLE leadership on each of the related programs and on STLE’s Strategic Plan. I look forward to thanking our donors after a successful inaugural campaign for the new STLE NextGen Fund. For more information or to set up your donation, please contact Karl Phipps at kphipps@stle.org.

You can reach Certified Association Executive Rebecca Lintow at rlintow@stle.org.