Founders' Engineering Scholarship

Overview

The industrial refrigeration industry is a multi-disciplinary field which offers exciting job opportunities in virtually all engineering fields of study, including but not limited to: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Environmental, Industrial and Manufacturing, Agricultural, and Chemical Engineering, as well as Computer Science, Automation, and Mechatronics. 

Engineers working in the industrial refrigeration industry have the opportunity to help address the urgent issue of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by applying environmentally friendly natural refrigerants using existing and new technologies to energy efficient refrigeration and heat pump systems. 

The NRF is the foundation arm of the International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration, (IIAR), technical association. 

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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

Our Founders Scholarship is awarded by the Natural Refrigeration Foundation (NRF) 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. Learn more about the NRF and its mission in providing education, research and scholarships for the Natural Refrigeration Industry. 

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.

NRF Graduation

Award

Scholarship funds are applicable for tuition only and are paid directly to the recipient’s college or university.

Junior Year
$4,000 to be paid in two equal installments of $2,000.

Scholarship recipients will receive an invitation to attend IIAR’s Annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo during the spring of their junior year. The scholarship provides additional funds for registration, travel, lodging and meals associated with attendance. Juniors must attend the conference and maintain the minimum GPA in order to trigger a disbursement increase in their senior year.

Senior Year
$9,000 to be paid in two equal installments of $4,500 for recipients who attended IIAR’s Annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Heavy Equipment Expo during the spring of their junior year. Students will be reimbursed for travel expenses to the conference. 

OR

$4,000 to be paid in two equal installments of $2,000 for recipients who did not attend IIAR’s Annual Conference & Heavy Equipment Expo during the spring of their junior year.

Scholarship Criteria

  • Open to undergraduate students entering their Junior or Senior years and attending a four-year accredited college or university.
  • Applicants must have a proven interest in applying their skills in the commercial and industrial refrigeration industry using natural refrigerants and must be pursuing a degree in an engineering field.
  • Must have completed 45 semester credit hours (or equivalent) or 90 quarter credits at the time of application.
  • Must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (3.75 on a 5.0 scale) towards an engineering degree.
  • 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.

2027 Scholarship Deadline

Application Requirements

Letter(s) of recommendation and college transcripts can be submitted via e-mail: [email protected]. 

 

Selection Criteria

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 based on the following criteria:

  • One (1) point for a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (3.75 on a 5.0 scale).
  • Additional (1) point for each 0.2 points on a 4.0 scale (0.25 on a 5.0 scale) above the minimum GPA to a maximum of five (5) points.
  • 1-2 points for each letter of recommendation (maximum of four points).
  • 1-5 points for scholastic achievement.
  • 1-5 points for personal narrative essay.

Scholarship Application Form