Gene Haas Foundation Donates $1.5 Million to Support SAE International Collegiate Design Series Programs

Donation to Fund Registration Fees for Hundreds of Formula SAE IC/EV and Baja SAE University Teams for 2027 Competition Season

SAE International^® announce that the Gene Haas Foundation is supporting student participation in SAE Collegiate Design Series^® (CDS) programs by covering registration fees for hundreds of collegiate engineering teams competing in the 2027 Baja SAE^® and Formula SAE^® programs allowing teams to focus additional efforts on the engineering design process. The $1.5 million donation was presented at a ceremony on Sept. 22, 2026, at the SAE International Headquarters in Warrendale, Penn.

“We are grateful to the Gene Haas Foundation for its commitment to engineering students and hands-on education,” said Chris Ciuca, Vice President of Professional Engagement & Programs, SAE International. “The Collegiate Design Series gives university students an opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world engineering challenges, while developing the skills and experience that will help prepare them for careers in mobility and beyond.”

SAE CDS competitions give student teams the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world engineering challenges through hands-on design, manufacturing, testing, and competition experiences. Students develop technical, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork skills while collaborating in environments that closely reflect real engineering careers across the mobility industry.

“Hands-on experiences like Formula SAE and Baja SAE are what truly set students apart to employers. Supporting these programs is a direct extension of the Gene Haas Foundation’s mission to advance technical education beyond the classroom and equip students with the real-world skills employers are looking for,” said Kathy Looman, Executive Director, Gene Haas Foundation.

This Haas Foundation gift marks SAE Workforce Development’s first pipeline partnership. This team is committed to developing a coordinated approach to closing the industry’s talent gaps through partnerships, investment models, and workforce solutions designed to expand SAE’s impact, create sustainable growth, and meet the mobility industry’s most pressing workforce needs.

For more information about SAE Workforce Development efforts, contact wfd@sae.org

For more information about the SAE Collegiate Design Series, visit https://www.sae.org/events/student.

Photo 1:  L to R: Reuben Sarkar, CEO, SAE International; Kathy Looman, Gene Haas Foundation; Chris Ciuca, SAE International; and West Virginia Formula SAE and Baja Teams

Photo 2: L to R: Chris Ciuca, SAE International; Kathy Looman, Gene Haas Foundation; Reuben Sarkar, CEO, SAE International; Allison Hostetler, Senior Director – Product Line, SAE International; West Virginia Formula SAE and Baja Teams

About the Gene Haas Foundation
Established in 1999 by Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation, Inc., the Gene Haas Foundation supports manufacturing education and the communities where Gene Haas’s businesses operate. The Foundation works to introduce students to careers in manufacturing and expand access to technical education, particularly in CNC machining, through scholarships, educator training, grants to educational institutions, and sponsorship of hands-on student competitions. Its support helps students develop practical skills and explore career pathways in manufacturing. Learn more at www.ghaasfoundation.org.

About SAE International^®
SAE International is a global organization committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including award-winning programs like A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series^™. Learn more at www.sae.org.

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