Applications Now Being Accepted for FGIA’s 2026 Bill Briese Education Grant Program

Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) corporate member companies have until March 31 to apply for the Bill Briese Educational Engagement Grant Program, which awards a $1,000 grant per company to use toward a first-time FGIA conference registration or enrollment in an FGIA education program. This company-focused grant, sponsored by GED Integrated Solutions, is aimed at extending education opportunities, building engagement within FGIA, expediting integration into the industry and furthering professional growth and advancement.

“Now in its fourth year, the Bill Briese Educational Engagement Grant Program has helped many member companies reach their ongoing education and enrichment goals,” said Kaydeen Laird, FGIA Education Manager. “I am sure Bill would be extremely proud of this legacy of learning.”

In 2022, the industry lost a valued leader in the education sector. Bill Briese, former Research and Development Engineering Manager for GED Integrated Solutions, was a longtime active leader within the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) and continued to grace FGIA with that leadership and enthusiasm after the unification of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and IGMA in 2020.

“Known for being generous with both his time and knowledge, he worked diligently to train the next generation of insulating glass fabricators,” said Laird.

Briese was a presenter at the annual FGIA Insulating Glass (IG) Fabricators Workshop, leading demonstrations of glass cutting and washing. His prominent roles within the Association showed his commitment to education and included Chair of the IG Fabricator Workshop/Preventing IG Failures Task Group, Treasurer of the Board of Directors and Glass Products Council Co-Chair of the Education Steering Committee.

The grant is fully funded through 2027. In the coming years, FGIA will be exploring alternative funding sources and opportunities to expand the program and continue supporting the future of the fenestration industry.

Qualifications

An FGIA corporate member company seeking support to further career opportunities for employees through FGIA education programs and event participation may apply. Recipients are awarded a $1,000 grant per company per year, eligible for use within 12 months of receipt for the following:

• First time in-person FGIA conference registration
• Enrollment in FGIA education program

A minimum of two grants will be awarded per year in each of the first five years of the program, which began in 2023.

Application Process

FGIA corporate members may submit a grant application via the new grant submission portal on the FGIA website. The application takes just minutes to complete, and submissions from any individual from FGIA corporate member companies will be reviewed.
The application process will close on March 31. The FGIA GPC Advisory Committee members will vote on anonymous applications in May, and grant recipients will be announced during the FGIA 2026 Virtual Summer Summit.

For more information about FGIA, visit FGIAonline.org.