NRF Founders’ Engineering Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Natural Refrigeration Foundation Founders’ Engineering Scholarship supports undergraduates preparing for careers in commercial or industrial refrigeration, heat pumps, and related natural-refrigerant technologies. The 2027-28 application opened August 3, 2026 and closes January 31, 2027. Eligible students attend an accredited four-year college or university, are entering the junior or senior year, have completed at least 45 semester credits or 90 quarter credits, and hold at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must pursue engineering and show a genuine interest in applying their skills within natural, commercial, or industrial refrigeration. Junior-year recipients receive $4,000 in two tuition installments and funded registration, travel, lodging, and meals for the IIAR Annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo. A junior who attends the conference and remains qualified can receive $9,000 in the senior year; without conference attendance, the senior-year amount is $4,000. This creates a potential two-year tuition total of $13,000 plus professional-development support. The online application asks for academic and contact information, supporting materials, and evidence relevant to the program's selection criteria, which include GPA, recommendations, scholastic achievement, and a personal narrative. Scholarship funds go directly to the recipient's institution for tuition.

Eligibility

• Attend an accredited four-year college or university
• Be entering the junior or senior year
• Have completed at least 45 semester credits, 90 quarter credits, or the equivalent
• Hold at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale or 3.75 on a 5.0 scale
• Pursue an engineering degree
• Demonstrate an interest in commercial or industrial refrigeration, natural refrigerants, cooling, or heat-pump industries
• Submit the complete online application and supporting materials by January 31, 2027