About NAPA: The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) is the leading voice of the asphalt pavement industry in the United States. Dedicated to advancing the industry, NAPA supports its members through pioneering research, specialized education, and training. NAPA’s mission is to advance the asphalt pavement industry through leadership, stewardship, and member engagement, with a vision of creating sustainable transportation infrastructure that paves the way for thriving communities and commerce. Committed to promoting safe, sustainable, and high-performing asphalt pavements, NAPA actively collaborates with federal and state agencies, academia, and industry partners to drive innovation and excellence in asphalt technology. To learn more about NAPA’s goals and initiatives, view the Strategic Plan.
The Fellowship Program: NAPA’s fellowship program is designed to empower professors and post-doctoral researchers actively involved in asphalt research. This initiative aims to stimulate innovative research and development within the asphalt pavement sector. Aligned with NAPA’s The Road Forward initiative – an ambitious plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 – the fellowship emphasizes sustainability, performance, and innovation. While multiple project ideas are available, one fellow will be chosen.
Objective: The fellowship program equips emerging scholars with the resources and support to explore and address critical challenges in asphalt pavement technology. By fostering collaboration and encouraging innovative thinking, NAPA aspires to develop solutions that enhance the sustainability, durability, and overall performance of asphalt pavements, paving the way for a more resilient, economical, and eco-friendly infrastructure.
2025 Fellowship Project Options: For the inaugural fellowship year, applicants may choose from three distinct project options – described below – designed to contribute to the advancement of asphalt pavement technology while aligning with NAPA’s goals for innovation and sustainability. Applicants are encouraged to select the project that best matches their expertise and interests.
Review and Selection: Applications will be reviewed by a panel of NAPA staff and members. Interviews of promising applicants may be required if the panel cannot determine a fellow based on the application alone. Applicants will be notified via email upon final selection.
Compensation: The Fellow will receive a stipend of $10,000 per month during the duration of the program (maximum of 3 months), along with a $2,000 travel stipend to cover costs associated with attending NAPA’s Midyear Meeting, July 8-11, 2025, in Louisville, Ky.
Support and Resources: Fellows will receive mentorship and access to resources from NAPA, including industry experts, educational professionals, and LMS support, to assist in the course development and delivery process.
Application Process: Interested candidates must apply online by December 1, 2024, for the Summer 2025 program. Please submit quesitons to Engineering@AsphaltPavement.org.
Application Instructions
Deadline: All applications must be submitted no later than December 1, 2024.
Submission: Submit your completed application using our online form.
You will be asked to provide details about yourself including:
- Relevant experience and expertise
- Overview of previous related research or projects
- List of relevant contributions and current CV
You will be asked to provide project-specific information including:
- Project selection (from the three options described below)
- Objectives
- Methodology
- Timeline
- Expected Outcomes
- Relevance and Innovation (for project option 3 only)
Questions: Please submit any questions about the program or process to Engineering@AsphaltPavement.org pior to submitting your application.
Project Option 1
Sustainable Asphalt Practices: Online Course Development
Objective: To develop and deliver a comprehensive online short course on sustainable asphalt practices, tailored to two distinct audiences: the asphalt industry and owner agencies.
Who Should Apply: Professors and post-doctoral researchers who have not yet achieved tenure, with a strong interest in sustainability and asphalt pavement technology.
Program Overview: The fellowship will support the development of two parallel online short courses on sustainable asphalt practices. Each course will be customized to meet the unique needs of its intended audience: one course will focus on the asphalt industry, while the other will cater to owner agencies responsible for infrastructure development and maintenance. Both courses will be hosted on NAPA's learning management system (LMS).
Key Responsibilities:
- Course Development:
- Course Syllabus and Learning Objectives: Design a detailed syllabus that outlines the key learning objectives and content to be covered in each online course.
- Course Materials: Develop well-researched, comprehensive online course materials, including video lectures, interactive content, readings, and assignments. Ensure that the materials are engaging, relevant, and optimized for an online learning environment.
- Customization for Audiences: While maintaining a core structure, adapt the content to address the specific needs and challenges of the asphalt industry in one course and owner agencies in the other. This might include industry-specific case studies, regulatory considerations, and best practices tailored to each audience.
- Beta Test Session/Workshop Delivery:
- LMS Integration: Work with NAPA's LMS team to integrate the developed materials into the platform, ensuring a smooth and user-friendly online learning experience.
- Pilot Implementation: Conduct a pilot session or workshop using the LMS to test the course materials and gather feedback from a select group of industry professionals or agency representatives.
- Feedback and Refinement: Use feedback from the pilot to refine and finalize the course content, ensuring it is both impactful and practical for the intended audiences.
Deliverables:
- Completed online course syllabus and learning objectives for both versions of the course.
- Fully developed online course materials, including video lectures, interactive content, readings, and assignments, all integrated into NAPA's LMS.
- Successful delivery of a pilot session or workshop for each course on the LMS, with feedback incorporated into the final materials.
Program Duration: The fellowship will span the summer of 2025, with specific milestones to ensure timely progress, including a mid-program review to assess the development of course materials and pilot planning.
Expected Outcomes: By the end of the fellowship, the fellow will have produced a high-quality, practical online short course on sustainable asphalt practices, hosted on NAPA's LMS. The courses will contribute to the broader goals of The Road Forward initiative by promoting sustainability within the asphalt pavement sector. The fellow will attend NAPA’s Midyear Meeting and present before the Sustainability Committee. NAPA will cover registration, while the $2,000 travel stipend will help offset other associated expenses. The fellow will also write an article for a NAPA publication about their experience.
Support and Resources: Fellows will receive mentorship and access to resources from NAPA, including industry experts, educational professionals, and LMS support, to assist in the course development and delivery process.
Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a proposal outlining their approach to developing the online course, including any relevant experience in sustainable practices, educational program development, and online learning. Selection will be based on the quality of the proposal, alignment with program objectives, and the potential impact of the courses.
Project Option 2
BMD and Sustainability Integration: A Framework for the Future of Asphalt Mixture and Pavement Design
Objective: To develop a high-level strategic framework that integrates Balanced Mix Design (BMD) principles with sustainability considerations, prioritizing performance while enhancing environmental and economic sustainability in asphalt pavement design.
Who Should Apply: Professors and post-doctoral researchers who have not yet achieved tenure, with expertise in asphalt pavement design, sustainability, and related fields.
Program Overview: The fellowship will support the development of a strategic framework that blends BMD principles with sustainability goals. The framework will serve as a guide for the asphalt industry to evaluate and balance performance and sustainability criteria in asphalt mixtures.
Key Responsibilities:
- Literature Review and Best Practices Summary:
- Research and Analysis: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing BMD methodologies and sustainability practices in asphalt pavement design.
- Best Practices Identification: Summarize the best practices from leading agencies and industry leaders, highlighting successful integrations of performance and sustainability for real-life projects.
- Strategic Framework Development:
- Framework Creation: Develop a high-level strategic framework that outlines how to integrate BMD with sustainability considerations, ensuring that both performance and sustainability criteria are effectively balanced.
- Guidelines Formulation: Create clear guidelines for evaluating and balancing these criteria in asphalt mixtures, providing a roadmap for industry adoption.
- Implementation Recommendations:
- Adoption Strategy: Propose a brief plan for adopting the strategic framework, including recommendations for stakeholder engagement, training for industry and agencies, and phased implementation within the industry.
- Training and Support: Suggest methods for training professionals and supporting agencies in the adoption of the new framework.
Deliverables:
- A comprehensive literature review and best practices summary.
- A high-level strategic framework document with detailed guidelines for integrating BMD with sustainability considerations.
- A brief implementation plan with stakeholder engagement and training recommendations.
Program Duration: The fellowship will span the summer of 2025, with specific milestones to ensure timely progress, including a mid-program review to assess the development of the strategic framework and implementation plan.
Expected Outcomes: The fellows will produce a strategic framework that can be adopted by the asphalt industry to integrate BMD with sustainability considerations, contributing to the long-term sustainability and performance of asphalt pavements. The fellow will attend NAPA’s Midyear Meeting and present before the NAPA Committee for Engineering Application & Practice. NAPA will cover registration, while the $2,000 travel stipend will help offset other associated expenses. The fellow will also write an article for a NAPA publication about their experience.
Support and Resources: Fellows will receive mentorship and access to resources from NAPA, including industry experts, educational professionals, and technical support, to assist in the successful completion of the project.
Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a proposal outlining their approach to developing the strategic framework, including any relevant experience in BMD, sustainability, and asphalt pavement design. Selection will be based on the quality of the proposal, alignment with program objectives, and the potential impact of the framework.
Project Option 3
Open Innovation: Paving the Way for Industry Advancements
Objective: To encourage innovative research and educational projects that advance the asphalt pavement industry, with a focus on sustainability, technology, or other areas aligned with NAPA’s mission.
Who Should Apply: Professors and post-doctoral researchers who have not yet achieved tenure, with a strong interest in contributing to the advancement of the asphalt pavement industry.
Program Overview: The Open Innovation Fellowship invites applicants to propose their own project ideas that will contribute to the industry’s growth and development. Whether the project focuses on sustainability, new technologies, educational initiatives, or other relevant topics (such as workforce, increasing recycled content, reducing emissions at asphalt plants, and permitting), NAPA seeks creative and impactful proposals that can be executed within 2-3 months.
Key Responsibilities:
- Project Proposal:
- Idea Development: Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative projects that align with NAPA’s mission and goals. The project can range from research studies and educational programming to practical implementations in the field.
- Deliverables Outline: Clearly define the deliverables of the proposed project, including any reports, course materials, tools, or other tangible outcomes.
- Project Execution:
- Project Plan: Develop a detailed plan outlining the steps needed to complete the project within the established timeframe.
- Implementation: Carry out the proposed project, ensuring all milestones are met and deliverables are completed on time.
- Final Presentation: Present the project outcomes to NAPA’s leadership and, if applicable, integrate the results into NAPA’s resources or programs.
Program Duration: The fellowship will span the summer of 2025, with specific milestones to ensure timely progress, including a mid-program review to assess the development and execution of the project.
Expected Outcomes: The fellowship should result in a completed project that contributes meaningfully to the asphalt pavement industry, whether through innovative research, new educational resources, or practical advancements. The fellow will attend NAPA’s Midyear Meeting and present before the applicable NAPA committee. NAPA will cover registration, while the $2,000 travel stipend will help offset other associated expenses. The fellow will also write an article for a NAPA publication about their experience.
Support and Resources: Fellows will receive mentorship and access to resources from NAPA, including industry experts, educational professionals, and technical support, to assist in the successful completion of the project.
Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a proposal outlining their project idea, including objectives, expected deliverables, and a timeline for completion. Selection will be based on the innovation, feasibility, and potential impact of the proposed project.