One of the missions of the PCI Foundation is to help support and fund precast studios at universities across the country.  Studios are important tools to help future engineers and architects learn what precast is and the benefits it can bring to projects they will design in the future.

About the PCI Foundation

The PCI Foundation has been providing curriculum development grants to universities of architecture, engineering, and construction management for 20 years. This funding gives professors the ability to partner with local precast producers, engineers, and architects to create unique precast content. These partnerships foster relationships between the precast industry, university professors and future industry leaders. 

PCI Studios

Since 2007, the PCI Foundation began sponsoring learning studios at universities with majors in engineering, construction management, bridges, and architecture. The PCI Foundation assists with funding  programs for several years before universities are asked to begin supporting the projects on their own.  To date, research has shown a high ROI on program continuation after PCI has passed the program off to universities.  

So far more than 4,000 students have participated in a PCI Studio at 31 universities.

How to Apply for a PCI Studio

For schools interested in starting a PCI Studio, there is a simple process to follow to apply for a grant.  After reviewing the Proposal Guidelines and Getting Started guidelines to fully understand the application requirements, schools can reach out to the PCI Foundation to discuss the next steps and begin their proposal process.  An advisory committee is put in place for applications to help them stay on track during the process. Professors work with a precast partner during the writing of their proposal.

PCI Gulf South Studios

PCI Gulf South has partnered with several studios in the Gulf South region to help provide precast knowledge to future engineers and architects.

Under the direction of Charles Jones, RA at Tulane School of Architecture, future designers enrolled in the university use the studio to tackle environmental issues using precast concrete products.

As a recipient of a newly awarded PCI Foundation studio grant, Assistant Professor Alexis Gregory has begun to immerse her students in the vast opportunities precast offers to the design community.

In August of 2020, the University of Alabama was awarded a studio grant for a 4-year studio focused on precast and prestressed concrete education.

McNeese State University was recently awarded a PCI Foundation Studio. The studio program, which is composed of industry partners and academia, will focus on precast products and their use in the petrochemical industry.