How to Get Involved with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation

Updated

You can get involved with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) in three main ways: become a mentor to an Astronaut Scholar, join the Space Explorers Club as a space enthusiast, or support the foundation through giving and staying connected. Which path fits you depends on whether you want to volunteer time, pay for a membership program, or contribute financially. The options below are drawn from what ASF publishes on its site; specific eligibility rules, fees, and application windows for each program are set by the foundation and should be confirmed on the relevant page before you commit.

Mentor an Astronaut Scholar

ASF runs a mentorship program under the banner "Building Friendship — Ignite Tomorrow's Leaders with Your Mentorship." This is the most direct way to support scholars personally if you have professional experience in STEM or a related field.

  • Who it's for: People who want to guide the next generation of STEM leaders. The site frames mentoring as a way to "ignite tomorrow's leaders," so expect to be matched with a high-achieving scholar rather than a general student.
  • What you do: Provide guidance and support to an Astronaut Scholar over time. The foundation describes mentorship as "building friendship" alongside practical support, so plan for a sustained relationship rather than a one-off call.
  • How to start: Use the "Become a Mentor" link on the ASF site. The site does not publish detailed mentor criteria or time commitments in the material available, so treat the application page as the source of truth for requirements and expectations.

Verify before applying: Check the mentor page for any stated background requirements, time commitment, and matching process. If those details aren't listed, contact the foundation directly rather than assuming a commitment level.

Join the Space Explorers Club

If you're a space enthusiast rather than a STEM professional, the Space Explorers Club is the membership option ASF highlights.

  • What it is: A paid membership program for the 2026–2027 year. Members take part in monthly virtual aerospace talks with an astronaut or industry leader, alongside fellow space enthusiasts.
  • Who it's for: Anyone interested in space who wants structured access to astronauts and industry figures. No scholarship or STEM career is required based on the site's description.
  • How to join: Register through the Space Explorers Club page on the ASF site. The site's pricing signals include "subscribe," which suggests a paid or subscription-based membership — confirm the current fee and term on the registration page before signing up.

What you get: Monthly virtual talks are the core benefit described. This is a good fit if you want regular programming and a community of fellow enthusiasts rather than a one-time event.

Support Through Giving and Staying Connected

ASF is a nonprofit with a mission to keep the U.S. competitive in technology and innovation by supporting top STEM scholars. Giving is a legitimate involvement path, and the foundation publicizes major gifts prominently.

  • Individual giving: The site highlights a $500,000 personal commitment from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, described as the largest one-time individual gift in the foundation's 40+ year history. This signals that individual donations of varying sizes are part of the funding model, though the site does not publish a donation tier structure in the available material.
  • Stay informed: ASF publishes news on its scholar class, awards, and events — for example, the 2026 Astronaut Scholar Class and the 2026 Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence. Following these updates keeps you connected and shows where support is directed.
  • Other engagement: The site also promotes its Innovators Gala and scholar stories. Attending events or sharing scholar achievements are low-commitment ways to participate.

Choosing Your Path

If you want to… Best option What to confirm first
Guide a scholar personally Mentor program Mentor requirements, time commitment, matching process
Attend regular space programming Space Explorers Club (2026–2027) Membership fee, term, and registration deadline
Contribute financially Donation / giving Current giving options and how funds are allocated
Stay informed with low commitment News, events, scholar stories Event dates and any attendance requirements

A Practical Note on Verification

ASF's site is the authoritative source for each program's current details. Because membership fees, mentor criteria, and application windows can change year to year, confirm the specifics on the relevant page — Mentor, Space Explorers Club, or giving — before acting. If a detail isn't published, contact the foundation directly instead of relying on secondhand descriptions.