The AREMA Educational Foundation in cooperation with the US Committee to the Watford Group of International Railway Designers has created the “Watford Fellowship,” a unique learning opportunity for “early career” rail or transit employees to gain an international perspective of railroad and transit design and operations. The 2026 Fellowship program consists of paid registrations to the 2026 Watford Conference to be held October 13-15, 2026, in Paris, France, at the headquarters of the International Railway Union (UIC). The three-day conference will include presentations by the attendees in all aspects of railway technology; planning, design, and construction with an emphasis on buildings, bridge and tunnel structures; rolling stock design; and graphics/corporate identity. The 2025 conference in London attracted over 200 attendees from 17 countries. The Conference, in addition to technical presentations, will include tours of recent infrastructure and rolling stock projects in the Paris region and opportunities to interact with railroaders from many countries.
AREMA members in Passenger/Transit, Structures, and Engineering Services will benefit from this program. Since 1993, when Committee 6 members joined the US committee, the Watford Group has worked closely with AREMA. Today, any AREMA member can join the US Watford delegation and attend the conference.
The Watford Group was established in 1963 by British Railways to foster the exchange of ideas and promote design excellence among its operating regions. Other countries were invited to join, and subsequently, over twenty nations are now eligible to send delegates to the annual Watford Conference. The meetings mostly take place in Europe, but have also been held in Japan, Singapore, and the United States. The Watford Group is one of the very few global organizations that integrates all aspects of rail transportation under the umbrella of "good design is good business."
The goals of this initiative are twofold: to broaden the professional horizons of early career railroaders, allowing them to gain valuable experience in international railway practices, and to promote AREMA’s role in railroad engineering internationally.
The Watford Conference registration fee includes most meals during the conference, local travel, and admission fees for conference activities. The Fellowship grant will reimburse four nights of hotel accommodation and incidental meals in Paris not covered by the registration fee. The only added cost to a North American would be trans-Atlantic air travel (could be done using airline rewards) and expenses before and after the conference. The total value of the grant may not exceed US$ 2500.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for a Watford Fellowship, the applicant must:
- Be a member in good standing of an AREMA Technical Committee.
- Have not less than three years nor more than 15 years of railway industry employment as of August 1, 2026
- Have the written approval of his/her employer to attend the Watford Conference and participate in post-conference events organized by AREMA.
- Commit to paying all personal travel and transportation costs required that are not included in the Watford Fellowship grant.
- Commit to making at least one technical presentation at the Watford Conference on some aspects of railway design about a project executed by his/her employer or another railway company of which he/she has knowledge; and
- Commit to participating in an AREMA Webinar or Podcast derived from the materials obtained at the Watford Conference or make a presentation at a subsequent AREMA Conference or AREMA-sponsored event based upon information obtained or observed.
- In evaluating applications, preference will be given to direct employees of a regulated rail carrier, a public or private entity responsible for providing and/or sponsoring passenger rail service, or a consultant primarily assigned to a rail carrier or passenger entity.
Each applicant must complete the application and certification form, which can be downloaded from the link below. An important element is a “Vision Statement” that identifies the applicant’s current position responsibilities with respect to railway design and expresses a strong commitment to obtain and share knowledge with other AREMA members. Additional application materials include an employment history and at least one 150-word abstract of a presentation to be made at the Watford Conference. Successful presentation proposals should discuss the results of specific, real-world applications, including successes, failures, and lessons learned. The AREMA selection panel will evaluate all submitted materials to identify individuals, which in its opinion, best exemplify the AREMA and Watford goals. The decision of the selection panel is final with no right to appeal.
Application deadline is April 30, 2026. Selectees will be announced by May 30, 2026.
An individual awarded a Watford Fellowship will be required to execute a Grant Agreement with the AREMA Educational Foundation and is solely responsible for personal tax liabilities, if any, incurred on the value of the grant. Authorized costs will be reimbursed using an AREMA expense report. The participant is responsible for having a valid passport and EU issued Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
To learn more about the Watford Fellowship check out our Season 2 Episode 11 Podcast with Thomas Cornillie and James Michel or the Season 5 Episode 9 Podcast with the latest Watford recipients, Matt Kirby and Daniel Rappaport.