The Security Industry Association (SIA) is accepting applications for four recognition and scholarship programs for 2026 designed to support professional development and educational advancement across the security industry. The programs include the 25 on the RISE Awards, the Denis R. Hébert Identity Management Scholarship, the James Rothstein Business Scholarship and the SIA–SecuritySpecifiers Young Consultants Scholarship.

The 25 on the RISE Awards, presented by SIA's RISE community, recognize 25 emerging security professionals each year for contributions that advance the industry. Eligible nominees must be under the age of 40 or have fewer than two years of industry experience and work for a company directly related to the security industry. Honorees will receive funding to attend the 2026 Securing New Ground conference, scheduled for Oct. 20-21 in New York City, where they will also be recognized.

The Denis R. Hébert Identity Management Scholarship awards two $5,000 scholarships annually to young professionals employed by SIA member companies. Named in honor of former SIA Board Chair Denis Hébert, the program supports post-secondary education related to identity management, including training courses, accredited college courses, certifications and other credentialing programs. Recipients are nominated by industry peers and selected by the SIA Learning and Development Committee.

The James Rothstein Business Scholarship provides financial assistance for emerging professionals and students to attend the 2026 Securing New Ground conference. Named after former SIA Board Chair James Rothstein, the scholarship covers conference registration and travel expenses. Applicants must be either a SIA student member or a member of the SIA RISE community who is employed by a SIA member company.

The SIA–SecuritySpecifiers Young Consultants Scholarship supports security consultants, designers and specifiers by providing funding to attend CONSULT, taking place Oct. 9-12, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. Scholarship recipients receive a full conference pass, access to symposium sessions, meals and events, a mentorship meeting with scholarship sponsors, a sponsored conference dinner and the opportunity to participate in SIA's RISE community. Applicants must be 35 years old or younger, work full time in security design or consulting at a security consulting or architecture and engineering firm and have at least 12 months of security industry experience.

"SIA is proud to present this year's 25 on the RISE Awards and two scholarships established in the names of past two SIA Chairs who advanced the association's value proposition – the Denis R. Hébert Identity Management Scholarship, James Rothstein Business Scholarship. We're also pleased to again present the SIA–SecuritySpecifiers Young Consultants Scholarship. These are four impactful opportunities for career development, professional growth and learning," said SIA CEO Don Erickson.

"SIA is intentionally focused on growing the next generation of leaders, and these programs are part of our broader mission to attract, develop and retain a talented workforce that ensures the long-term success of our industry," Erickson added.

Applications for all four programs are due Friday, July 31.