Overview

The International Road Federation Fellowship Program provides a one-time financial grant to international students who are currently studying or wish to study at an accredited university in a highway‑related field.

There are two paths to becoming an IRF Fellow, the Traditional and the Executive application processes.

• Through the Traditional process, applicants must not have started their Graduate degrees. The applicants are self-nominated on the IRF website. Fellows are selected based on a strong academic background, professional qualifications and leadership potential.
• Through the Executive process, students must be enrolled in Graduate studies. They must be nominated by a professor at an IRF Member University in order to be considered, and must demonstrate not only great educational accomplishments, but also a strong desire to use their education in their home countries. Member University professors are contacted directly to solicit three nominations per university each year.

IRF Fellowship Workflow

Traditional vs. Executive Application

Requirements: Traditional Fellowship

In general, candidates are expected to meet these criteria:

• A Bachelor of Science degree (or equivalent) in a transportation-related discipline
• A minimum of 2 years work experience in a transportation-related field
• A commitment to full-time study for a minimum of one year
• A notarized letter stating your intent to return to your home country within two years of graduation, for the purpose of permanent employment. IRF will provide a template for this certified document.
• The ability to travel to and within the United States of America
• The ability to actively engage in study and/or research in English
• Demonstrated potential as next-generation leader in the road transport industry
• Strong endorsements from national road associations (or similar agencies), IRF Members, and/or IRF Fellow(s)

While any graduate-level student may apply, IRF Fellowships are often offered through National Road Associations or Ministries of Public Works or Transport affiliated with IRF. Recipients are selected by these organizations in collaboration with regional or municipal counterparts and private sector firms. In all cases, the International Road Federation requires evidence that the applicant has an obligation to return to the sponsoring country after his or her studies, in order to apply the knowledge he or she has gained.

Requirements: Executive Fellowship

• Students must be nominated by a Member University professor in order to be considered.
• A notarized letter stating your intent to return to your home country within two years of graduation, for the purpose of permanent employment. IRF will provide a template for this certified document.

Application Process

Traditional

To apply for the IRF Fellowship Educational Grant you will need to complete the online application form.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2021

Please upload the following items during your electronic application process or, alternatively, you may mail the items to:

International Road Educational Foundation
500 Montgomery Street
Fifth Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
USA

• Transcripts of all your college credits including titles of courses taken and grades received, with certified English translation
• Three letters of reference, using the reference letter form template [DOWNLOAD FORM]
• Official TOEFL Score Report. The Institution Code for IRF is 9314
• Official GRE Score Report. The Institution Code for IRF is 9314
• Sponsor’s certification of availability funds [DOWNLOAD FORM]

Executive

*Professors will be contacted to provide required nominee information.

Selection for Traditional Applications

Upon receipt of an application, IRF reviews both the applicant’s professional record and his or her undergraduate academic record. The universities, however, tend to place greater weight on the previous academic record when reviewing an application for admission.

Accordingly, to be admitted to an accredited university, it is essential that the applicant’s undergraduate academic record be satisfactory. “Satisfactory” is the equivalent of an overall grade point average of “3.0” on a scale of 1 ‑ 4 for admission to a master’s degree program, and only slightly less for admission to a non‑degree program.

Particular attention should be paid to this requirement as admission to graduate schools is highly competitive, and an unsatisfactory academic record could cause the applicant’s case to be rejected by the International Road Federation and/or the universities.