QBP and title sponsors SRAM, Park Tool, Michelin and United Bicycle Institute (UBI), along with Gold level sponsor Jagwire, and Silver level sponsors Saris, Stan’s NoTubes, Kryptonite, Swiftwick, White Lightning, and DT Swiss are pleased to offer 16 scholarships for women to attend United Bicycle Institute (UBI) in early 2017. This scholarship is dedicated to increasing gender diversity of people on bikes by supporting the development of women working in bike shops. Scholarship recipients will be chosen on the basis of their current success, experience, and commitment to serve and grow gender diverse bike-ridership, as well as their future potential in the bike industry. Each scholarship covers registration, tuition and lodging for the 2-week Professional Repair and Shop Operation class.

*The Women’s Bike Mechanic Scholarship is inclusive of trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and intersex individuals.

About the Scholarship

The Women’s Bike Mechanic Scholarship was created to do two important things:

1. Develop and keep talented women working in the bike industry
2. Better serve and grow women ridership through the Specialty Bicycle Retailers

Scholarship Details

Scholarship recipients will be chosen on the basis of their current success, experience, desire to serve and grow women as bike-riders, as well as their future leadership potential in the bike industry. Each scholarship covers registration, tuition and lodging for the 2-week Professional Repair and Shop Operation class at the Ashland Campus of United Bicycle Institute.

• Lodging will be provided by UBI.
• Scholarship recipients must be available to attend the January 30–February 10th all-women session of Professional Repair and Shop Operation Workshop at the Ashland, Oregon campus.
• Travel to and from UBI and other expenses including meals are the responsibility of scholarship recipients. Recipients will receive a small stipend upon completion of the class to help offset travel and meal expenses.
• The scholarship covers attendance to the Professional Repair and Shop Operation Workshop ($2,100).
• The scholarship will be awarded upon registration for class and payment will be made directly to UBI. This open call for applications begins September 30 and will close October 31, 2016. Scholarship winners will be announced on or before January 6, 2017*.

* Scholarship recipients will be notified in early December to allow time for agreements, photo assets, and travel arrangements. The public announcement of winners will be made in early January.

Scholarship Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a scholarship, you must meet these qualifications:

• Women: trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and intersex individuals,
• Currently employed at a bike shop in the U.S./U.S. territory,*
• U.S./U.S. territory resident, and
• Sign a publicity/photo waiver and agreement

* Note: Volunteer/intern/trainee positions at non-profit/co-op shops are acceptable. “Bike shop” is defined as the following: Must sell bicycles, new and/or used. Must have specific posted business hours and a physical location. Must service and repair bikes.

To Apply:

Complete and submit the on-line application during the application period from September 30th through October 31st. The application link will go live on September 30th, and will be removed at midnight, October 31st.
Apply here!

Important Info You Should Know!:

Because the fundamental purpose of this scholarship is to improve service to populations that are underserved by the Bicycle Industry, we are committed to increasing the number of scholarship to women of color. And so, women of color are encouraged to apply!

The requirement that you must be currently employed at a bike shop includes those who are volunteers, interns, and/or trainees. “Bike shop” is defined as the following: Must sell bicycles, new and/or used. Must have specific posted business hours and a physical location. Must service and repair bikes. Both for-profit and not-for-profit or co-op bike shops are acceptable.

For more information about the 2-week class at UBI, visit the UBI website at www.bikeschool.com, and look for Professional Repair and Shop Operation at UBI under the “CLASSES” tab.

Questions about the scholarship? E-mail: womensscholarship@qbp.com and we will do our best to get back to you within 3 business days.