Caltrans District 11 CTF DAC Scholarship 2026

The Caltrans District 11 Disability Advisory Committee (DAC), in partnership with the California Transportation Foundation (CTF), is pleased to offer the 2026 DAC Scholarship Program. The program supports eligible high school and college students with permanent disabilities as they pursue their educational goals and prepare to contribute to the enhancement of transportation in California.

Two scholarships will be awarded. Each scholarship will be $1,500.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Each applicant must submit the following materials:

1. A completed Disability Advisory Committee/California Transportation Foundation Scholarship Application.

2. An essay outlining career goals (not to exceed 500 words).

3. For high school students, latest report card.

4. For college students, transcripts.

5. A minimum of two sealed letters of recommendation.

• One from faculty.

• One from a supervisor, friend, or community leader

SELECTION AND ANNOUNCEMENT

The DAC Scholarship Committee will review all applications. After careful review, the winners will be notified. The scholarship recipients will be acknowledged in various newsletters including the Caltrans newsletter, Caltrans LinkedIn, Freeways and Faces, and the California Transportation Foundation.

Scholarship winners will be able to participate in an in-person award ceremony at the Caltrans District 11 2026 Diversity/Disability Day event to be announced in October 2026.

Target Award Date: Fall 2026

DEADLINE

The completed application and all required materials must be submitted through Kaleidoscope by October 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Note: Submit all applications through Kaleidoscope

If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Dodson or Touré Netters at:

Phone: 619 985 1587 or E-mail [email protected]

Phone: 619-940-0316 or E-mail [email protected]

DAC Scholarship

Attention: Kimberly Dodson

                                  California Department of Transportation

                                  4050 Taylor Street M.S. 240

                                 San Diego, CA 92110

Two scholarships will be awarded. Each scholarship is $1,500.

2026 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for these scholarships, each applicant must meet the following criteria:

For High School Students:

• Recipient must be a US citizen or legal resident of the State of California.

• Recipient must have a permanent disability defined by the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) as having a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

• Recipient on track to graduate by June 2027.

• Recipient of the DAC/CTF scholarship should plan on using their education to contribute to the enhancement of transportation in California.

For College Students:

• Recipient must be a US citizen or legal resident of the State of California.

• Recipient must have a permanent disability defined by the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) as having a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

• Recipient must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester or 9 quarter units.

• Recipient must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

• Recipient of the DAC/CTF scholarship should plan on using their education to contribute to the enhancement of transportation in California.

The DAC Scholarship Committee will review all complete applications to confirm eligibility and required application materials. After careful review, the committee will select two scholarship recipients. Selected recipients will be notified and recognized at the Caltrans District 11 Diversity/Disability Day event in October 2026. Scholarship recipients may also be acknowledged through Caltrans and California Transportation Foundation communications.