WASHINGTON — TV and radio broadcasters have a new resource to help fund internships to grow the pool of young engineering talent for the broadcast industry.

Pilot, NAB’s technology innovation initiative, in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters Educational Foundation, today announced the launch of a new program to provide grants to NAB members that establish paid engineering and media technology internships at their radio and TV stations.

“We believe these internships will help NAB member stations attract the best and brightest and expand awareness of the exciting work that a career in broadcast technology can provide,” said NAB CTO Sam Matheny. “We are thrilled to be working with NABEF on this program, as a key component of Pilot’s technology education efforts.”

Initial grants will be for part-time internships in the spring 2019 academic term and full-time internships in the summer of next year. The program is aimed at helping NAB members that do not offer engineering or media-technology internships at the moment.

The new initiative will also help selected stations identify and support interns as well as assist with their attending the 2019 NAB Show in Las Vegas.

The deadline for NAB members to apply for the grants is Aug. 15 for the spring 2019 internships. The deadline for the summer internship grants is Nov. 2.

“Through these grants, we expect to provide more opportunities for students to explore and learn about broadcast technology and engineering,” said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. “The result will be an increase in the pool of talent for our industry.”

More information is available on the NAB Pilot website.

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The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation announced it will recognize country music artist Sara Evans with the 2018 Service to America Leadership Award.

She will receive the award at NABEF’s Celebration of Service to America Awards on June 12 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington. The leadership award recognizes individuals and organizations responsible for improving lives through public service.

Evans serves as a Red Cross ambassador and in 2008 was presented with its national Crystal Cross award for her advocacy. Also, she recently raised more than $10,000 for the CMA Foundation, which helps fund music education programs; and she has also provided support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, Alabama Forever and the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.

[Read: NABEF Honors Broadcasters for Outstanding Service]

“Sara Evans continues to grace the country music charts with her stunning voice and lyrical authenticity to the delight of fans everywhere,” said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. “She also gives voice to a diverse group of causes working to make our world a better place. It is an honor to present her with NABEF’s highest award.”

She will also perform at the event. She has had five number one country singles: “No Place That Far,” “Suds in the Bucket,” “A Real Fine Place to Start,” “Born to Fly” and “A Little Bit Stronger;” and her most recent album debuted at number two on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart.

This year, she headlined the “CMT Next Women of Country Tour.”

She has previously been honored with the Academy of Country Music Top Female vocalist accolade and Country Music Association Video of the Year trophy, as well as American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and Grammy Awards nominations.

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