THIRD WATKINS SCHOLARSHIP LAUNCHED

THE GLOBAL INSTITUTE FOR MOTORSPORT SAFETY HAS LAUNCHED the third iteration of the Sid Watkins Scholarship, which offers an engineering or medical student a fully funded position assisting with safety research projects.

The scholarship, named after motorsport safety pioneer Professor Sid Watkins (above), who died in September 2012, is jointly funded by the FIA, FIA Foundation and the Global Institute. The successful candidate will be tasked with working for the Geneva-based Global Institute, which is the FIA’S safety research partner.

Applicants entering the scholarship selection process will be expected to have recently completed an advanced qualification, such as a Master’s Degree or PHD, and be able to prove that they have reached a high level of academic achievement. Candidates are also required to have a strong interest in motorsport – in the medical or engineering fields – that they can demonstrate through previous academic projects, professional work or extra-curricular activities.

Applications close on October 20, and the winner of the 2018 prize will be selected by a panel of experts, led by Global Institute General Manager (Research), Laurent Mekies.

“This is the third iteration of the Watkins Scholarship and it has proved to be a great success so far,” said Mekies (left), who is also the FIA’S Safety Director.

“The recipient of the award will be working on high-level safety projects that directly benefit motorsport worldwide.”

The winner of the 2017 scholarship, Nikil Abraham, who graduated with a Master’s

Degree in Automotive Engineering from the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, worked on projects that included safety developments in Formula 1, as well as the World Rally and Endurance championships.

“This scholarship has enabled me to work on groundbreaking projects and to make a real contribution to the improvement of safety across all levels of racing,” he said. “I would encourage all engineering or medical graduates with an interest in motorsport and motivation to do research in safety to apply.”

Further information can be found at www.globalinstitute.org.