Brown-Forman Engineering Academy

Interested in being a part of engineering excellence?  Want to connect with other students and faculty before the first day of classes?   Apply now for the Brown-Forman Engineering Academy

What is the Brown-Forman Engineering Academy?

This is a two-week, live-on program designed to prepare accepted incoming engineering freshmen both academically and personally.  This enrichment program is designed to assist students with their transition into college through academic prep, peer support, faculty relationship building, and student success programming.  Additionally, accepted students will share the same block of classes in the fall and will continue to meet as a cohort for both fall and spring semesters, allowing students to earn scholarship monies for participating. (Read more about Fall and Spring Below)

When is the program?

The program will run as a two-week live on from July 12th – 23rd, 2026, allowing students early interaction with their peers, professors, and campus staff.  Accepted students will spend a portion of the day strengthening their math skills and evenings developing through co-curricular learning, workshops & trainings, as well as interactive activities and trips.

What are the benefits of joining the Brown-Forman Engineering Academy?

• Calculus prep course with the experts
  Four (4) hours a day will focus on calculus prep. Students who participate in the program describe being more prepared for the rigors of engineering math for the coming semesters.
• Build a support system of first-year and upper-class peers
  Each cohort contains peer mentors to assist in leading students through the 2-week program. Peer mentors are comprised of upper-class students, many of whom participated in BFEA before their freshman year.
• Exposure to faculty and staff
  The entire program is created and conducted with faculty and staff members that you will recognize in the fall! Getting to know their faces now prepares and encourages students to engage during the semester.
• Engage in the Industry
  Here’s the chance to tour some of the leading companies employing engineers within the city. Students can ask questions and network with engineers working in the field.
• Engaging with fellow Speed students before arriving on campus
  Students who participate in the program find lifelong friends! Some become roommate’s others form instant study groups. Either way, meeting before the semester starts creates a familiar face when you head to your first classes in the fall.
• Continued support throughout the semester
  Additional opportunities for engagement once the semester has begun! Reunite with your cohort through weekly meetings that allow you to meet additional industry professionals as well as participate and conversations and activities that further acquaint you with campus resources and engineering experiences.

What will this cost me?

Thanks to the generous support of Brown-Forman & GE Appliances, this program is FREE to admitted participants. This includes lodging, meals, extracurricular activities, and more.

Who should apply?

Incoming first-year Speed School students who have been accepted into the UofL Speed School of Engineering and who are eager to ensure a successful transition into college should apply!

Twenty four (24) students from the 2026 freshman engineering cohort will be admitted. The Brown-Forman Engineering Academy is open to all eligible students regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.

Students must:

• Place into ENGR 100 or 101 by
  ACT Math 25+
  SAT Math 590+
  Test or Dual Credit Score
  Accuplacer Algebraic Functions 250+

• Applied for housing (if you intend to commute in the fall you can still participate in BFEA, please read over the First-Year Live-On Policy and complete the automatic exemption.
• Intend to sign up for orientation sessions before July 8^th to be considered for the 2026 cohort.

How to apply?

Applications have closed for 2026.

Additional FAQs:

What will a typical day of BFEA look like?

*During the weekdays of the program, Math Prep will take place twice a day at the same time. The rest of the schedule will vary depending on what trips, speakers, and activities have been planned. The day above is an actual day, but it must be noted that all days won’t look exactly the same.

Is there any way I can learn more about the program?

Join us for an information session. This virtual presentation and conversation is open to all students and families who would like to learn if BFEA is the program for them. The format for the session is informal and allows for you to hear from staff and faculty who create and participate in the program. Hear firsthand in a short presentation about the two weeks and follow up in real-time with your questions.

What happens after the 2 weeks in the summer? Can you tell me more about participating in the fall and spring?

The program doesn’t end after the two weeks in the summer. Students will meet weekly to hear from additional engineers in the industry, work on interactive activities, and keep in touch with their cohort. Along with the meetings are a few requirements that if completed will award students a spring scholarship. The same will take place again in the spring for a summer scholarship. By participating in BFEA for the first-year students will have had the opportunity to earn 3 scholarships to assist with their studies. Ultimately the goal is to stay connected, help students find their sense of belonging within Speed School, and be able to provide resources as needed to keep them on track for the future.

Fall and Spring Requirements Include:

• Attend 30 hours of recorded study/tutor time
• Attend weekly meetings
• Attend 2 REACH Coaching Sessions
• Attend Part I & Part II Engineering Fundamentals Department Sessions
• Attend at least 2 ENGRain Sessions

*Requirements are subject to change based on the discretion of the coordinator

Questions about the program:

Contact Valerie Clay, Student Belonging and Engagement Coordinator

Program Sponsors: