Deadline to Apply for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence is Friday, May 1
LOS ANGELES, Calif.— Outstanding U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers can apply for a total of $2 million in cash prizes starting today.
Since 2017, more than $10 million has been awarded to 183 skilled trades teachers and their programs. The deadline to apply for the 2026 prize is Friday, May 1. Teachers can apply at: HFTforschoolsprize.org.
The total amount of the prize awards will increase this year from $1.5 million to $2 million to mark the 10th anniversary of the prize. The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence will be awarded to 25 public high school teachers and their skilled trades programs. Winners will be announced in the fall.
“For the past 10 years, we have been honored to celebrate remarkable skilled trades teachers across the United States,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “Given the escalating shortage of skilled trades professionals in the United States, the work of high school skilled trades teachers is more urgent and important than ever before.”
The mission of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is to increase understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. The prize is its flagship program.
The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence was started in 2017 by Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder Eric Smidt. The prize recognizes outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in U.S. public high schools and the valuable work of teachers who inspire students to learn a trade that prepares them for life after graduation.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the difference these outstanding teachers are making every day in preparing the next generation of tradespeople,” Smidt said.
The best skilled trades programs embody what great hands-on teaching and learning should look like in any classroom. Excellent skilled trades teachers are deeply knowledgeable and passionate about their subject matter and the potential of their students, teach skills in leadership and collaboration, and offer a relevant curriculum that is connected to skilled trades career pathways.
The five Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence grand prize winners will receive $100,000 each, with $30,000 going to the teacher and $70,000 going to their program. Twenty additional prize winners will each win $75,000, with $25,000 going to the teacher and $50,000 going to their program. Teachers whose school, district or state policy prohibits the receipt of the individual portion of prize earnings are eligible to apply on behalf of their school’s skilled trades program.
About Harbor Freight Tools for Schools
Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is a program of The Smidt Foundation, established by Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder Eric Smidt, to advance excellent skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. With a deep respect for the dignity of these fields and for the intelligence and creativity of people who work with their hands, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools aims to drive a greater understanding of and investment in skilled trades education. We believe that access to quality skilled trades education gives high school students pathways to graduation, opportunity, good jobs, and a workforce our country needs. Harbor Freight Tools is a major supporter of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program. For more information, visit htfforschools.org.
Harbor Freight Tools for Schools and Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence are registered trademarks licensed by The Smidt Foundation.
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