Jesica Salvini put her studies and experience to work at the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Season 10 finale.
The first ever FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship recipient Jesica Salvini attended the London E-Prix (20-21 July) with the FIA’s technical team, enabling her to be fully immersed in a major world championship event.
Designed to promote diversity and inclusion in the sport, the FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship is a unique initiative that supports one aspiring engineer to study towards a Master’s qualification (MSc) in Advanced Motorsport Engineering at Cranfield University in the UK.
Already a trailblazer as the first female track engineer in her native Argentina – where she earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering – Salvini was awarded the inaugural FIA scholarship in 2022, dovetailing her studies alongside a race engineer role in the stock car-based Turismo Carretera, the world’s longest-running active motor racing series.
She is due to complete her thesis and graduate from Cranfield – a globally-recognised postgraduate university that has conducted research, consultancy and testing for the motor sport industry over the past five decades – this autumn.
In the meantime, Salvini joined the FIA’s technical team on-site at the London E-Prix – the 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season finale and title-decider – where she also got the opportunity to share her knowledge and experience with members of FIA Girls on Track, a pioneering programme that seeks to inspire future generations of women in motor sport.
“What an incredible experience,” commented Jesica Salvini. “I had the chance to learn from the FIA’s Technical Team and I’d like to thank each of its members for their warm welcome and kindness. I’m proud to be the first ever FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship winner and grateful to the FIA for giving me such an opportunity.”
“We were delighted to welcome Jesica to the London E-Prix,” added FIA Chief Technical and Safety Officer, Xavier Mestelan-Pinon. “With her passion for the sport, her work ethic, her infectious enthusiasm and her drive to succeed, she has been an exceptional ambassador for the FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship.”
- The FIA will welcome Sanya Jain from India to the FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship
- Sanya is the third scholar to join the programme since it was launched in 2023
- She will receive full funding for a Motorsport Engineering masters at Cranfield University, the world-leading institution for motorsport education and research
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, is delighted to announce its 2025 Motorsport Engineering Scholar, Sanya Jain.
As scholarship winner, Sanya will study a fully-funded MSc in Advanced Motorsports Engineering at Cranfield University. This follows an undergraduate degree in Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo in Canada, where she was an Academic Representative for Class of 2025 and on Dean’s Honors List.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA is committed to building a more inclusive future for motorsport and initiatives like the Motorsport Engineering Scholarship allow us to support exceptional young scholars from around the world to unlock the innovative thinking our sport needs to thrive.
I’m delighted to congratulate Sanya on this achievement and look forward to following her journey at Cranfield University.”
Sanya Jain, FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholar, said: “This scholarship represents another step in a lifelong dream to work in motorsport engineering. I am honoured to have received the recognition and support of the FIA panel, and to have the opportunity to study at one of the world’s leading specialist motorsport universities. I’m excited to join my classmates at Cranfield in September.”
The FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship is one of the industry’s biggest funded educational opportunities. Launched in 2022 by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, in partnership with Cranfield University, the scholarship aims to help remove barriers to education for talented youth. It particularly welcomes young engineers from different parts of the world to apply and pursue a career in motorsport.
With access to a bursary for living costs and full tuition funding, scholarship recipients gain the opportunity to study stress-free at one of the world’s leading universities specialised specialists in motorsport education. Cranfield University has a track record in sending graduates often go on to succeed aton to top racing teams and manufacturers,, with support from leading motorsport professionals working and training at the university.
Cranfield University is one of the leading universities in the motorsport space – ranking in the global top 35 for mechanical and aeronautical engineering. It has carried out extensive research, consultancy, and testing for the motorsport sector since the 1970s. The university is also home to the FIA-approved Cranfield Impact Centre and AXSIM Racing, both widely used by the world’s on- and off- road racing teams.
Professor David Hassan at FIA University, said: “Congratulations to Sanya on this prestigious achievement. The panel was really impressed by Sanya’s academic strength, resilience, and embodiment of FIA values. We look forward to seeing her progress her academic studies and career during her scholarship at Cranfield University.”
James Brighton, Professor of Automotive Engineering at Cranfield University, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Sanya to Cranfield and look forward to supporting her on the next step of her career journey. The scholarship really is an amazing opportunity to bring remarkable young engineers closer to their motor sport dreams.”
Sanya is the FIA’s third Motorsport Engineering Scholar. Previous scholars include Argentinean Jesica Salvini and Yasir Muhammad from Pakistan.
The FIA carries out extensive educational and research work, as part of its ongoing commitment to being a research-led federation. This year the FIA has published an online abuse barometer, and new research into EV incentives.
About the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility.
Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including seven FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.
- Applications have opened for the second ever FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship at Cranfield University
- The scholarship aims to promote diversity and inclusion in motor sport
- Current scholar, Argentinean student Jesica Salvini, work as a race engineer at Abdala Racing alongside her studies
The global motor sport governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, has opened applications for the FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship at Cranfield University.
Now in its second year, the scholarship supports one aspiring engineer to obtain a Master’s in Advanced Motorsport Engineering at Cranfield. Scholars receive fully funded tuition and living expenses.
The scholarship is designed to promote inclusion in sport, and welcomes applications from students of all backgrounds.
Jesica Salvini received the first FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship in 2022, and works as a race engineer at Abdala Racing alongside her studies. She said: “The FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship has completely transformed my career. Studying alongside established motorsport professionals has helped me build connections, learn more about the business side of motorsport, and apply my academic learnings to the real world.”
Cranfield University is a globally recognised postgraduate university, which has undertaken research, consultancy, and testing for the motorsport sector since the 1970s. The university is also home to the FIA-approved Cranfield Impact Centre and AXSIM Racing, both widely used by the world’s on- and off- road racing teams.
FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “Fostering diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within motor sport is both a goal and a commitment. With this engineering scholarship, the FIA continues to pave the way for a future where talent is recognized and nurtured, regardless of candidates’ backgrounds.”
Professor of Automotive Engineering at Cranfield University, James Brighton said: “We are delighted to be opening the FIA scholarship for a second year. As there is fierce competition for roles within motorsport, and some barriers to entry, scholarships such as this are integral to opening up this industry to talented people from all backgrounds. Through our close links to industry, teaching excellence and the passion of the successful student, we will build the skills and network they need to excel in motorsport.”
Applications for the scholarship will close on 1st April 2024.
Brochure available in Spanish here.
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