Scholarships/Awards - ITS California

ITS California (ITS CA) and California Transportation Foundation (CTF) Scholarships

AWARD: Thanks to a partnership with California Transportation Foundation, We’re awarding four scholarships of $5,000 each to support students advancing the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) through engineering, planning, computer science, public policy, and related fields.

VALUE: $5,000 each for the 2026 - 2027 academic year.

Eligibility: Undergraduate and Graduate Students currently enrolled or accepted into an ABET- or WASC-accredited California university. Fields of study must relate to transportation technology, including, for example, engineering, computer science, transportation planning, or public policy.

To apply please use this link: Kaleidoscope Link

Deadline for applications is 08/02/2026

2026 Excellence in Transportation Technology Awards

ITS California is proud to recognize outstanding planning and implementation projects that demonstrate innovation, improve mobility, enhance safety, increase system efficiency, and advance the use of Intelligent Transportation systems (ITS) across California.

Award Recipients will be honored during the ITS California Annual Meeting, September 27-30, 2026

Award Categories:

Excellence in Transportation Technology - Planning Project
Excellence in Transportation Technology - Implementation Project

Application Submission: Applicants must submit a single PDF containing the completed nomination Form, project narrative, and all supporting documentation to scholarships@itscalifornia.org. The email subject line should read: 2026 ITS California Awards Nomination – [Project Name].

Nomination Form download

Questions please email: scholarships@itscalifornia.org

International Smart Cities Scholarship

Wendy Tao was a global leader in sustainable transportation and smart cities and a tireless advocate for diversity in transportation. She tragically passed away in 2022. In honor of her legacy, ITS California created an International Smart Cities (ISC) Scholarship 🎓 that is initially being funded through donations from Wendy’s friends and colleagues.

Eligibility – Any eligible U.S.-based transportation student or professional with commitment and passion for global sustainability.

Application – Applicants should submit an essay one to two pages in length. The essay should include the following elements:

A brief overview of applicant’s education, experience, and interest in sustainable transport and smart cities
A description of the applicant’s project, and how learning from the project might be applied in California
A brief description of how the project will enhance the applicant’s professional development or graduate studies

How to apply – Kaleidoscope Link

Questions should be directed to fellowship4wendy@gmail.com

2025 Wendy Tao International Smart Cities Scholarship Winners

Tam Tran

I am excited and honored to be awarded the Wendy Tao International Smart Cities Scholarship. Given the rise in deliveries, there is a need to better understand and manage the impacts of goods movement, especially in major urban areas. Using Wendy's approach to solving local transportation challenges by looking at best practices internationally, I plan to examine goods deliveries strategies in London and Toronto and see what can be applied to San Francisco.

2024 Wendy Tao International Smart Cities Scholarship Winners

Ian Griffiths

Ian was the recipient of the 2024 Wendy Tao Smart Cities Scholarship, enabling him to travel throughout South Korea and Taiwan to learn about what lessons California can learn from Asian transit systems. Some of his key research findings relevant to California include:

Transit in both countries is thriving and continues to expand. Transit's mode share exceeds 30% in both countries and continues to grow thanks to major investments.
Both countries have embraced regional integration of services to promote a customer-focused, high ridership system. Regional integration programs are supported by dedicated state funding.
Empowered state and regional institutions have been essential to each country's ability to rapidly deliver on transit improvements. Transit projects in both countries are implemented quickly and effectively thanks to a combination of political support, streamlined processes, and aligned government departments focused on delivering outcomes.

Quote:

"South Korea and Taiwan demonstrate that with effective state leadership, empowered and aligned public institutions, and dedicated funding, it's possible to create world-class transit networks that improve the quality of life for all. I'm extremely grateful to the Wendy Tao Smart Cities Scholarship for this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the inspiring experiences of both countries to help support California's journey toward better transit."

To view and lsiten to the Webinar "What can California learn from transit in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan?" Click here.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Scholarship

ITS California awards up to two scholarships to advance post-secondary education for students entering the field of transportation.

Eligible applicants must be graduating high school students from an underrepresented group and accepted into a 2–4-year accredited program, preferably in California but not mandatory. Candidates must be pursuing studies in planning, civil engineering, electrical engineering, or related transportation field

VALUE: $2,500 each for the 2025 – 2026 academic year.

View Application Requirements.

Application Deadline: TBD