Announcement of 2026 NRC Scholarship Program

Announcement of 2026 NRC Scholarship Program

Please read the instructions carefully and prepare your application details.
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) is pleased to announce the availability of scholarships for tuition assistance to NRC member company employees and children or grandchildren of employees of NRC member companies.

ABOUT THE NRC
The NRC is the only trade association organized specifically to serve the needs of railroad contractors, suppliers, and the entire railroad and rail transit construction industry. NRC's primary objective is to advance the mutual interests of its members and the railroad and rail transit construction industry. The NRC works hard to expand rail construction and maintenance business opportunities, protect rail contractors from intrusive government regulation, and improve railroad construction safety and operations.

AMOUNT OF AWARDS

This year, four total scholarships will be awarded as follows: For undergraduate applicants, the first place applicant will receive $15,000, the second place applicant will receive $10,000, and the third place applicant will receive $5,000. For trade school applicants, one applicant will receive $5,000. Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the student at the beginning of the next term of study. Students must be in attendance for a full year following receipt of the award.

ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:
- be a son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter of a current employee of an NRC member company OR a current full-time employee of an NRC member company; and
- be enrolled at the time of application as a full-time college student at an accredited two-year college offering an associate’s degree or an accredited four-year college or university offering a bachelor’s degree or a trade school, or a recent high school graduate enrolling at one of the institutions mentioned above.
- Must be enrolled at a qualified school for a full year following receipt of the award.
RENEWAL OF NRC SCHOLARSHIP

Previous winners of the NRC scholarships are eligible to be considered for renewal of their scholarship assistance each year. They must submit the following: a new application form, narrative statement, a letter of sponsorship from a NRC member company, an updated transcript including courses taken and grades received since their initial application, and a response to the essay questions.

APPLICATION DEADLINE — [August 14, 2026]

A complete application and all accompanying materials must be sent in one PDF document via this form no later than August 14, 2026 for consideration for the following academic term. The absence of any of the materials listed below will render the application incomplete. Any incomplete applications will not be graded.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this scholarship, all materials listed below must be sent to the NRC Scholarship Committee through this form. It is important to include to the best of your ability all attached materials in ONE PDF DOCUMENT. There are several methods to combine files into one PDF, including apps and websites. If one of the requested materials is missing, your application will NOT be graded.
1. Complete this Application for Scholarship Program
2. A letter written on official NRC member company stationery confirming sponsorship as requested in Section A of the application and stating the relationship of the member company employee to you (e.g., father, mother, or grandparent)
3. An official transcript from all schools attended, including high school and each college or trade school attended indicating all work completed through the spring semester of the year the application is made. The transcript(s) should list courses taken or in which currently enrolled. Previous scholarship winners and applicants entering their junior and senior year in college are not required to provide high school transcripts.
4. An essay, 500 words or less, addressing the following question: "How would you use this scholarship to maximize your academic success and impact the future you?"
5. An essay, 500 words or less, addressing the following question. Please reference 2-3 credible sources. We encourage you to reach out to current industry professionals for additional insight: "In your view, why is the rail industry important to communities and the national economy?"
Please complete this application and submit with with the required PDF attachements. ALL MATERIALS MUST BE COMPILED IN ONE PDF AND SUBMIT ON THIS FORM NO LATER THAN AUGUST 14, 2026.

EVALUATION AND NOTIFICATION

The Scholarship Committee will base its evaluation for awards on the materials submitted. All applicants will be informed of awards by December 4, 2026.
A. BACKGROUND
Full Name

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Home Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2
CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip Code
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email Address
example@example.com
Date of Birth

MonthDayYear
Place of Birth
Name of sponsoring NRC Member Company
Name of NRC member company employee or owner related to you
Relationship to you, e.g. father, mother, granparent (if applicable).
A letter from a company officer on official company letterhead confirming sponsorship and your relationship to company personnel must be included in application. If not applicable enter "NA" in the field.
Are you a past recipient of an NRC Scholarship?
What sources of income, including scholarships, will you have while attending college in the fall?
B. EDUCATION

For College/University applicants, please make sure to have your total GPA listed
High School

Name of School Location (City, State)Dates of Attendance
Number of years completed
Diploma or equivalent received?
List your total numerical GPA
Present college or university

Name of School Location (City, State)Dates of Attendance
Number of years of college/trade school completed as of application
Major Course of Study
List your total (to date) numerical GPA
Other colleges, universities or trade schools attended

Name of School Location (City, State)Dates of Attendance
Number of years completed:
List your total numerical GPA
Major Course of Study
List any other schools attended, e.g., vocational or industrial schools, etc., including dates of attendance

Name of School Location (City, State)Dates of Attendance
C. WORK EXPERIENCE

Please list most recent first
Employer's Name
Employer Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Employer Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2
CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip Code
Period of Employment
Title of Position
Description of Duties
Employer's Name
Employer Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Employer Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2
CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip Code
Period of Employment
Title of Position
Description of Duties
D. SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES AND HONORS
List professional societies, civic organizations, important committees or other significant organizations or activities in which you participate.
List honors or special awards in recognition of your professional community or activities.
E. ESSAY QUESTIONS
How would you use this scholarship to maximize your academic success and impact the future you?

0/500
"In your view, why is the rail industry important to communities and the national economy?" Please reference 2-3 credible sources. We encourage you to reach out to current industry professionals for additional insight.

0/500
Upload Supporting Documents (official transcripts, sponsorship letter, etc.)

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Announcement of 2026 NRC Scholarship Program

A. BACKGROUND

B. EDUCATION

C. WORK EXPERIENCE

D. SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

E. ESSAY QUESTIONS