Applications Open for Harbor Freight Tools for Schools 2026 Teaching Excellence Prize

Applications are being accepted for the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, as announced in a press release.

U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers can apply for a total of $2 million in cash prizes starting March 3, 2026. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 1.

The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence was started in 2017 by Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder Eric Smidt. Since 2017, more than $10 million has been awarded to 183 skilled trades teachers and their programs.

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 prize will be awarded to 25 public high school teachers and their skilled trades programs. Winners will be announced in the fall.

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.

“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.”