The Winpisinger Center has announced it is accepting applications for the 2026 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant, with a submission deadline of November 30. The grant aims to help local unions within the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) send current and emerging leaders to leadership training programs when financial resources are limited.
According to Official Circular 908, which established the grant, funding is provided annually to one local from each IAM Territory. For 2025, this includes the Eastern, Midwestern, Western, Southern, Canadian, and Air Transport Territories, as well as Headquarters and vicinity, including the Rail Division. The grant reimburses all costs incurred by a local in sending a member to a leadership program at the Winpisinger Center.
The grant can be renewed for each selected local. Members chosen by their locals may attend up to four annual leadership programs if they complete each prior session satisfactorily and if their local submits an accountability statement confirming participation and contribution to union activities.
Seven locals were awarded the inaugural Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant in 2025: Local 550 (Surrey, British Columbia), Local 4538 (Towson, Maryland), Local 1894 (South Ozone Park, New York), Local 2916 (Corpus Christi, Texas), Local 104 (Huntington, West Virginia), Local 1613 (Vandalia, West Virginia), and Local W38 (Shelton, Washington).
The grant was created by delegates at the 2024 IAM International Convention in honor of Chris Wagoner. Wagoner served as Director of the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center before his death in 2022. “Brother Wagoner, a 30-year member of the IAM, believed that expanding opportunities for Leadership training was critical to our future growth and strength as a union.”
