IIAR Founders' Engineering Scholarship

The Founders Scholarship is awarded each year to incoming collegiate Juniors and Seniors exhibiting exceptional character and an interest in pursuing an engineering or related technical degree leading to a career in the refrigeration field. The scholarship also provides additional funds for registration, travel, lodging and meals associated with attending IIAR’s Annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo during the Spring of their Junior year. Applications for the 2026/27 school year are now closed, applications for 2027-2028 school year will open in August 2026. The 2026/27 awards announcement is scheduled for June 2026. Scholarship Details • Junior Year: $4,000 total, paid in two $2,000 installments • Senior Year: $9,000 total (if conference is attended in junior year), paid in two $4,500 installments • Senior Year (without conference attendance): $4,000 total, paid in two $2,000 installments • Additional funds provided for travel, lodging, registration, and meals to attend IIAR’s Annual Conference during junior year • Scholarship funds apply to tuition only and are paid directly to the recipient’s college or university. Eligibility Criteria • Must be an undergraduate student entering junior or senior year at a four-year accredited U.S. college or university • Must have completed at least 45 semester credit hours or 90 quarter credit hours at the time of application • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or 3.75 on a 5.0 scale) • Must be pursuing a degree in an engineering or technical field applicable to industrial refrigeration, such as: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Environmental, Agricultural, Chemical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering Computer Science, Automation, or Mechatronics • Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Environmental, Agricultural, Chemical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering • Computer Science, Automation, or Mechatronics • Must demonstrate a proven interest in applying technical skills to careers in the commercial and industrial refrigeration industry using natural refrigerants. Applications must be received by January 31. Awards will be made in May/June time frame. Scholarships will be paid in August/September for the fall/winter semester and then in following December/January for winter/spring semester to the selected scholarship winner’s institution assuming the scholar recipient remains qualified. Application Process 1. Visit the IIAR website to access the Founders Scholarship application 2. Complete the application and upload required documents, which may include: Academic transcripts Resume or CV Personal statement or essay describing interest in natural refrigeration and career goals Recommendation letters (if required) 3. Academic transcripts 4. Resume or CV 5. Personal statement or essay describing interest in natural refrigeration and career goals 6. Recommendation letters (if required) 7. Submit the completed application by the specified deadline (check IIAR’s site for current dates) 8. If selected as a junior, attend the IIAR Annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo to qualify for the senior year award increase. The objective of the IIAR/NRF Founders Scholarship program is to attract outstanding engineering and technical students who are seeking careers in the refrigeration field. Applications will be reviewed and scored by the Scholarship Subcommittee to select awardees.