The Security Industry Association (SIA) has opened applications for three scholarship programs aimed at supporting education and professional development for security industry professionals and students.

Applications are being accepted for the 2026 SIA RISE Scholarship, SIA Veterans in Security Scholarship and Women in Security Forum Scholarship. The deadline for all three programs is Friday, Sept. 11.

The RISE Scholarship offers $3,000 awards for young security professionals, student members and those who are new to the industry. The program is open to SIA student members and members of SIA's RISE community who work for SIA member companies worldwide.

Recipients can apply the funding toward continuing education, student loan repayment and professional development programs such as training and certifications. The program is intended to expand professional knowledge in areas including business, human resources, information technology, marketing and sales, project management, security engineering and risk management.

The 2026 program also includes three special RISE awards for select recipients: the Joey Comunale Scholarship, Dalal Family Scholarship and Pierre Trapanese Scholarship.

SIA is also introducing a Veterans in Security Scholarship program in 2026. Presented by the association's Veterans in Security community, the program will award multiple scholarships of up to $5,000 each.

Funding can support college degrees, certificate programs and professional learning and development related to security, as well as student loan repayment for industry-related programs.

The scholarship is open to U.S. military veterans currently associated with SIA member companies and currently serving members of the U.S. military who plan to transition into private-sector security careers.

The third program, the SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship, will award recipients $7,500 each. The scholarship is open to all SIA members and student members, with funding available for approved degree programs, continuing education, student loan repayment and professional development such as training courses, certifications and conferences.

SIA also presents the Sandy Jones Award each year to the top-scoring scholarship applicant. The distinction is named for security industry veteran and longtime SIA member Sandra "Sandy" Jones.

“SIA’s RISE, Veterans in Security and Women in Security Forum scholarships—presented by three vibrant SIA member communities—are excellent opportunities to support your professional development, learning and growth,” SIA CEO Don Erickson said.

“SIA is proud to build on our commitment to fostering the next-generation security workforce, and with more scholarships this year than ever before, we look forward to helping our industry’s emerging leaders, young professionals, women and military veterans achieve their professional and educational goals,” Erickson added.

The 2026 RISE Scholarship is supported by Allegion, Axis Communications, Brivo, Convergint, Genetec, HID, M.C. Dean, Securitas Technology and ZKTeco USA.

The Women in Security Forum Scholarship is supported at the Diamond Level by Axis Communications and Convergint, at the Ruby Level by Brivo, Johnson Controls, PSA, SAGE Integration and Zenitel and at the Sapphire Level by Defined Marketing, Fracktional Solutions and Vector Firm.