June 23, 2025 – Today, iRAP proudly joins the global community in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day (IWED). This vital day highlights the achievements of women engineers worldwide and encourages more girls and young women to consider dynamic careers in this essential field. At iRAP, we recognise the invaluable contributions of women engineers in shaping safer roads and saving lives globally. 

This year, iRAP is thrilled to announce we will again be offering training and accreditation grants for 30 talented engineers. Representation of women in the #RAPcommunity is currently just over 20%, and we want to empower more women in engineering with the skills and opportunities to lead in road safety engineering. 

Why This Initiative Matters 

Gender diversity in road safety engineering is essential for creating inclusive and effective solutions. Research highlights that men and women experience road safety differently due to physical, behavioural, and social factors. By involving more women in decision-making and design processes, we can address the needs of all road users and work towards eliminating high-risk roads globally. 

Women engineers also bring innovative approaches to solving complex problems, making their contributions vital to achieving safer, sustainable mobility for all. This initiative celebrates their achievements and provides them with the tools to further their careers and make a lasting impact. 

“Through these grants, we aim to remove barriers and provide direct pathways for 30 talented engineers to advance their careers and become leaders in creating a safer world.” – Greg Smith, iRAP CEO

International Women in Engineering Day resonates deeply with the work being done in the field of road safety. We take this opportunity to celebrate the remarkable women who are leading the charge in creating safer roads for all. We present some key insights from some of iRAP’s road safety experts;

About the Training and Accreditation Grants 

The 30 selected women engineers will receive access to iRAP’s  Star Rating Essentials and Star Rating for Designs courses free of charge. These comprehensive training programs are designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to assess road safety, develop safer road designs, and implement impactful safety measures. The training is delivered in flexible, self-paced formats, allowing participants to learn at their convenience. 

Accredited engineers will gain expertise in iRAP specification activities, enabling them to contribute to safer road infrastructure, bid competitively on projects, and join a global network of road safety professionals. 

Who is Eligible? 

• Women with a background in road-related planning, design, or engineering. 
• Applicants who have not previously taken the Star Rating Essentials and Star Rating for Designs courses. 

Selection Process 

We’ll select grant recipients based on their answers to the following questions: 

• Why are you interested in learning more about iRAP’s methodology? 
• How will you use the knowledge and skills gained from these courses? 

Important Dates 

• Applications Open: Monday, June 23, 2025 (Today!) 
• Applications Close: Monday, July 14, 2025 (Close of Business) 
• Grant Recipients Announced: Wednesday, July 31, 2025 

Have Questions? 

Contact iRAP’s Training and Accreditation Coordinator, Franco Azzato, at franco.azzato@irap.org 

Let’s build safer roads together!

Please read the following Terms and Conditions carefully. 

The iRAP women in engineering grants applicant understands and agrees to the following: 

• iRAP will select 30 women to have access to the Star Rating Essentials and Star Rating for Designs courses for free. 
• The selected women will:  
• Have a background in engineering. 
• Justify a good use of the acquired knowledge. 
• Not be a beneficiary from other iRAP projects. 
• This application is subject to iRAP selection procedures. 
• iRAP reserves the right to refuse the application. 
• Completion of the application process does not guarantee approval of the application. 
• If selected for the grants, the applicant agrees to undertake the course activities and submit the assignments to complete the courses.

If selected for the grants, the applicant agrees to the following:  

• Enrol within 3 months of being selected to attend Star Rating Essentials and Star Rating for Designs courses for free. 
• Complete both courses within 6 months from enrolment date to receive free accreditation (subject to successfully completed assignments) and free first renewal in 2025.
• iRAP may suspend or revoke the Grants at any time at its discretion. 
• The applicant agrees with iRAP to use the content of its application to promote the Grants programme. 
• If selected for the grants, the applicant agrees to report six-monthly to iRAP on how she is using the iRAP methodology to improve the roads in their country.