We are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Leadership Bursary, offering five women working in the roads and highways sector the opportunity to participate in Women in Transport's transformational Lead leadership development programme.
Thanks to the generous support of the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, this bursary will fully fund places on our flagship eight-month leadership programme, removing financial barriers for women with the ambition to progress into senior leadership.
The Lead programme is specifically designed for women working in transport and has helped hundreds of participants develop the confidence, leadership capability and networks needed to take the next step in their careers.
The bursary includes:
A fully funded place on the Lead programme (normally £4,495 + VAT)
Women in Transport membership
Participation in the 2026/27 Lead programme, with the first two bursary recipients joining the September 2026 cohort and a further three places available across 2027 cohorts.
Who should apply?
We welcome applications from women who:
Work in the roads or highways sector.
Are at a mid-career stage with responsibility for a project, budget, service and/or team.
Have the ambition to progress into more senior leadership.
Can commit to approximately half a day per week during the programme.
Face barriers to accessing professional development opportunities.
We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including women who are self-employed or work within SMEs, charities or non-profit organisations.
About the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund
Established in 1950, the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund is an independent charity dedicated to improving roads for everyone. It supports education, research and practical projects that enhance the safety, design and environmental quality of roads while investing in the development of current and future highways professionals through grants and bursaries.
The Fund’s work helps create a more innovative, inclusive and sustainable roads sector for the benefit of all road users.
Key dates
Applications close: 17:00 on 17th July 2026
Applicants notified: 31st July 2026
Lead programme onboarding (first cohort): Week commencing 31st August 2026
Please note that, due to the anticipated volume of applications, we will not be able to provide individual feedback. All applicants will be notified of the outcome, and the identity of successful recipients will remain confidential unless they choose to share it.
If you’re ready to invest in your leadership journey, we'd love to hear from you.