MEGAN BALPARDA AWARDED FIA MOTORSPORT ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP
- Megan Balparda has been awarded the FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship, offering a fully funded MSc in Advanced Motorsport Mechatronics at Cranfield University
- Megan will be the fourth scholar to receive this scholarship and will be offered an internship at the FIA after graduation
- The programme forms part of the FIA’s wider commitment to remove barriers to careers in motor sport and double participation worldwide
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has today announced that Megan Balparda has been awarded the FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year, offering a fully funded MSc in Advanced Motorsport Mechatronics at Cranfield University.
The MSc in Advanced Motorsport Mechatronics covers the design, testing and operation of competition vehicles as well as management techniques related to motor sport. After graduation, Megan will be offered an internship with the FIA to launch her professional career in motor sport engineering.
Megan is the fourth Motorsport Engineering Scholar. Previous scholars include Sanya Jain, Jesica Salvini and Yasir Muhammad. She is currently studying Applied Mathematics with a focus on physics and computer science at Middlebury College in Vermont, United States. Megan is fascinated by the data, strategy and engineering that decide races and has the ambition of one day becoming a race engineer.
Launched by H.E Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, in 2022, the FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship aims to promote diversity and inclusion, and remove barriers to engineering careers for talented young people worldwide. To further support with the cost of studying in the UK, the scholarship not only covers tuition fees, but also accommodation, living expenses, and travel costs.
Cranfield is one of the leading academic institutions in the motor sport space, ranking among the world’s leading institutions for mechanical and aeronautical engineering. It is also home to the FIA-approved Cranfield Impact Centre and AXSIM Racing.
H.E Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said:
“The FIA University Scholarship Programme is continuing to grow, reflecting the progress we are making to inspire the next generation of motorsport professionals. Having launched the FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship in 2022 to promote diversity and increase access to opportunities around the world, I am delighted to congratulate Megan as the latest recipient of the world-leading education that Cranfield University provides.”
Professor David Hassan, at FIA University said:
“At the FIA, we are committed to supporting the next generation by expanding opportunities and driving global accessibility. With the addition of the internship after graduation we continue opening doors to exciting careers through world-leading education, global opportunities and financial support. We congratulate Megan as she begins this new chapter.”
James Brighton, Professor of Automotive Engineering at Cranfield University, said:
“We are very proud to once again partner with the FIA to continue this scholarship. Motor sport is a challenging industry to break into, and this initiative provides a fantastic pathway for talented students to gain the skills, experience and networks they need to succeed in their careers.”
Megan Balparda, FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholar, said:
“This scholarship is the opportunity of a lifetime. It means not only studying at one of the world’s leading specialist motor sport universities but also the knowledge that I have support I can rely on while I pursue my dream career. I am incredibly grateful to the FIA for seeing my potential.”
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Maria Zander, Corporate Communications Manager: mzander@fia.com
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 six FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.