Astronaut Scholarship

About the Scholarship

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was established in 1984 as the Mercury Seven Foundation by the six surviving members of America’s original Mercury Seven astronauts. Since its founding, more than 100 astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs have united to aid the United States in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing college scholarships for the very best students pursuing science, technology, engineering or math degrees. The Foundation awards over 70 scholarships annually, each worth up to $15,000, to exceptional college students who exhibit motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in the science or engineering field of their major.

Requirements

Eligibility Requirements & Selection Criteria

Basic Eligibility

Candidates for the Astronaut Scholarship:

  • Must be attending an ASF-affiliated university or college
  • Must be nominated by faculty (Must be nominated for consideration by a professor or faculty member who knows the student well enough to identify a special drive or talent that foreshadows a creative career leading to the advancement of scientific knowledge and technology)
  • Must be a STEM major going into junior or senior year (see approved academic program listing)*
  • Must be a United States citizen (proof of birthright or naturalization via birth certificate, naturalization papers, or passport)
  • Must be a high-performing academic achiever
  • Must have conducted a considerable amount of work outside the classroom in their chosen field of study. This may include:
    • Laboratory research
    • Cooperative education
    • Internships
    • Relevant military experience
    • Entrepreneurial endeavors
    • Documented independent work resulting in technical papers, patents, etc.
  • Must be a full-time student during academic year scholarship is applicable
  • Must have completed at least one year of full-time college study. Transfer students must have completed at least one semester of full-time study at their ASF-affiliated university.
  • *Special consideration is NOT given to aeronautical/astronautical engineering students or those intending to pursue careers as astronauts.

Medical-Related Field

ASF follows the National Science Foundation’s GRFP guidance for medical-related fields of study. Scholarships will not be awarded to students pursuing:

  • Pre-medical or clinical studies
  • Clinical medical or patient-oriented research
  • Health services, health policy, disease prevention, or diagnosis and treatment

Students focusing on bioengineering or biomedical research that apply science and engineering principles to medicine are eligible. Students pursuing an MD/PhD with a strong research emphasis are also eligible.

Selection Criteria
We are seeking candidates who demonstrate:

  • Creativity: The ability to explore new ideas or uncharted territory.
  • Drive: The potential and drive to conduct research, develop new ideas, and pursue innovative technologies.
  • Excellence: A record of motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in academics or research.
  • Vision: Intellectual daring and a commitment to positively impact their field and community.
  • Leadership: Proven leadership on campus and/or within the community.

Nomination

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation only accepts nominations for the Astronaut Scholarship from its affiliated and participating universities. If a student is interested in being nominated, they should contact a member of their university’s faculty regarding consideration. Students may also contact the university liaison for more details regarding the internal process.

Application

Application Components

  • Astronaut Scholarship fillable form (biographical info)
  • proof of citizenship
  • personal statement (one page maximum about you, your plans for the future and how you will achieve them, insight into your current research project and leadership involvements, and how you hope to have an impact in your field/community in the future)
  • two letters of recommendation (one letter must be by the nominating faculty member familiar with student’s work outside of classroom)
  • current transcripts
  • current resume or CV

Timeline

Application Timeline

  • Early-January: Call for nominations sent out to USC faculty in relevant fields. Students who are interested and eligible can request that a faculty member nominate them.
  • January 23, 2026: Faculty nominations due to Katie Capra (kcalvert@usc.edu)
  • Late January: Student nominees notified and invited to apply for Campus Endorsement
  • Mid-February: Astronaut Scholarship Campus Endorsement Application Deadline
  • Late February: Astronaut Scholarship Campus Endorsement Committee Application Review Period
  • Mid-March: Two exceptional USC students will be submitted to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Committee for review and final selection.

Advising

Advising Period: December – Early February

Contact: Katie Capra, kcalvert@usc.edu

Scholarship Recipients