Richard D. Short Construction Skilled Trades Scholarship
Applications will open Spring 2027
This scholarship was established in 2026 with the support of Richard Short, a DFI past president, emeritus trustee of the DFI Educational Trust, and 2010 DFI Distinguished Service Award recipient.
The fund provides financial assistance to students pursuing training in the construction trades and who are attending trade and vocational schools, training centers, community colleges, technical institutes, apprenticeships and/or workforce development programs. Recipients must be enrolled in one of the training institutions/programs noted above for the purpose of entering the construction industry as a skilled laborer and demonstrate financial need.
Award
In 2026, thirty-five travel grants of $1,000 each are available to support past scholarship recipients and applicants who wish to attend DFI’s Annual Conference. These grants cover lodging, meals, travel and other related expenses. Additionally, recipients receive full conference registration at no cost.
The award is contingent upon the students’ attendance at the conference, and reimbursement will be provided in the form of a check at the end of the event.
Eligibility & Requirements
All DFI Educational Trust Scholarship recipients in the past two scholarship cycles (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026) are invited to apply for these grants to meet with industry members at DFI’s Annual Conference.
If grants are still available, scholarship applicants from the Fall/Spring cycles will be invited to apply and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Richard D. Short, P.E., BC.GE
Richard D. Short, P.E., BC.GE, started his career in San Francisco in 1966, where he worked for several firms before earning a master’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduating in 1972, he practiced as a geotechnical engineer until eventually retiring in 2008 and starting his own consulting geotechnical engineering firm, Richard D. Short and Associates.
An active member of DFI since 1993, Short was president from 2002–2004 and served as a trustee starting in 1996. During his presidency, he encouraged DFI to purchase its headquarters building and establish the Outstanding Project Award program.
As DFI president, Short is co-credited with Past Presidents David Coleman and Byrl Williams for the establishment of the Educational Trust in 2006 and was the first chair of the DFI Educational Trust Board.
DFI recognized Short with the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) in 2010. He represented DFI at the Federal Highway Administration International Technology Scanning Program in Europe. He started the first DFI-sponsored student group, located at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught on a part-time basis. His work also advanced the deep foundations industry. As a geotechnical engineer, Short pioneered the use of European technologies in the San Francisco Bay area.
Founding Donors
- David Coleman
- Condon-Johnson and Associates
- M. Byrl and Frances Williams