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What is the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation?
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) is a nonprofit created by the Mercury 7 astronauts to support top U.S. students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while preserving the legacy of America's early space pioneers. Its stated mission is to help the United States keep its leadership in technology and innovation by backing "the very best and brightest" STEM scholars.
What it actually does
- Scholarships: Awards the Astronaut Scholar designation to outstanding STEM undergraduates; the site names a 2026 Astronaut Scholar class and highlights individual recipients.
- Recognition: Presents the Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence, given in 2026 to Jarret Lafleur, a former Georgia Tech Astronaut Scholar.
- Mentorship: Runs a mentor program that pairs experienced professionals with emerging STEM talent.
- Public membership: The Space Explorers Club offers a paid membership with monthly virtual talks featuring astronauts or aerospace leaders.
Who it is for
Prospective scholars are high-achieving STEM undergraduates, typically nominated through their institutions rather than applying cold. Separate audiences include donors, mentors, and space enthusiasts who join the club for access to astronaut conversations.
A practical next step
If you are a student, check with your university's scholarship or fellowships office about nomination procedures and deadlines. If you are a space enthusiast, compare the Space Explorers Club's monthly format against public options such as NASA events before committing.
Who is eligible to apply for an Astronaut Scholarship?
Eligibility is limited to undergraduate students in the United States who are nominated by their institution rather than applying directly. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation works through participating colleges and universities, which select their nominees; students at institutions that do not take part cannot be considered through the standard route.
Who it is designed for
- STEM undergraduates: The scholarship targets students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, consistent with the foundation's mission to support top STEM talent.
- Students at participating institutions: A campus nomination process is the practical gate. If your school is not a participating institution, the first step is to ask your department or scholarships office whether it can nominate.
- Students with strong research or technical promise: The award commemorates the Mercury 7 astronauts and is framed around identifying future leaders in innovation, so evidence of substantive project or research work matters.
What this means in practice
If you are a first- or second-year student, ask your departmental advisor early whether your institution participates and what its internal deadline is, since campus selection usually happens well before any national deadline. If you are at a school that does not participate, look at alternatives such as National Science Foundation graduate research fellowships (for later stages) or your university's own undergraduate research funding.
For the current list of participating institutions, nomination requirements and deadlines, consult Astronaut Scholarship Foundation directly, as these details change by cycle.
How do I apply for an Astronaut Scholarship?
Applications run through your university, not directly through the foundation. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation works with participating U.S. colleges and universities, and each campus names its own nominees. So the first step is to contact your school's scholarship or fellowships office and ask whether it is a participating institution and who handles the internal nomination.
What to expect
- Nomination by your institution. You generally cannot submit yourself; a campus office or faculty committee selects and forwards candidates.
- A STEM focus. Awards target students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who intend to pursue research or careers in those fields.
- Strong academics plus demonstrated research potential. Expect the campus process to weigh transcripts, research experience or lab work, and faculty recommendations.
A practical next step
Ask your department's undergraduate or graduate advisor two questions: does our school participate, and what is the internal deadline? Campus deadlines usually fall months before the foundation's own cycle, so start early in the academic year. If your school does not participate, ask the fellowships office about comparable national STEM awards you can apply to directly.
For eligibility details, nomination procedures and deadlines, check Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and confirm specifics with your campus office, since institutional rules can differ.
What does membership in the Space Explorers Club include?
The Space Explorers Club is the foundation's membership program for space enthusiasts, and its core benefit is monthly virtual aerospace talks with an astronaut or industry leader, shared with fellow members. The site frames it as "exclusive membership" for the 2026–2027 club year, with registration handled through the site.
What the page confirms
- Monthly virtual talks featuring an astronaut or an industry leader.
- A community setting: sessions are held alongside other space enthusiasts, so the value is partly the shared discussion, not just the speaker.
- Time-bound membership: the listed term is 2026–2027, so access is tied to that cycle rather than open-ended.
What it does not specify
The page does not list a price, session schedule, platform, recording access, or age requirements. It also does not say whether talks are live-only or archived. Treat those as open questions rather than assumed perks.
Practical fit
The club suits someone who wants periodic, low-commitment exposure to space careers and missions and who values hearing directly from people who have worked in the field. It is a weaker fit for someone seeking structured coursework, credentials, or one-to-one mentoring; the foundation's separate mentorship program is the closer match for that.
As a next step, check the club's registration page for the current fee, meeting times, and whether sessions are recorded before joining. If the monthly cadence is the deciding factor, compare it with the public events calendars of organizations such as NASA, which often publish free talks and lectures.
How can I become a mentor to an Astronaut Scholar?
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's own site lists a "Become a Mentor" route under its mentorship program, which pairs experienced professionals with Astronaut Scholars for guidance and support. The foundation frames mentorship as "building friendship" and helping "ignite tomorrow's leaders," so expect a relationship-oriented role rather than a one-off review of a résumé.
What the role likely involves
- Regular one-to-one guidance for a high-achieving STEM undergraduate or recent scholar.
- Sharing perspective on study choices, research directions, internships or early-career decisions.
- Acting as a sounding board and encourager, in line with the site's emphasis on friendship and support.
Practical next step
Go to Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and open the "Become a Mentor" link to see the current application requirements, time commitment and eligibility. Before applying, prepare a short summary of your field, your availability (for example, a monthly call plus occasional email), and what kind of scholar you could best help—say, an aerospace engineering student versus a biology researcher.
A concrete scenario
An engineer with ten years in satellite systems could offer a scholar realistic insight into industry roles, while a professor might be better placed to advise on graduate school. Decide which fits you, then apply through the foundation's mentor page. If the page asks for a reference or background check, line those up in advance.
How can I donate to or support the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation?
Donate through the foundation's own site, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, where the "Get Involved" section is the starting point. From there you can give as an individual, join the Space Explorers Club membership (which the site describes as monthly virtual talks with astronauts or industry leaders), volunteer as a mentor to scholars, or register for events such as the Innovators Gala. For corporate or legacy giving, contact the foundation directly to discuss options.
Matching your support to what you want
| If you want to… | Best route | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Make a one-time gift | Online donation | Simplest, but no ongoing involvement |
| Engage with aerospace people | Space Explorers Club membership | Recurring commitment; value depends on attending the talks |
| Guide a student directly | Mentor program | Requires real time and relevant expertise |
| Support at scale | Corporate or event sponsorship | Larger commitment, often tied to gala or program cycles |
A reader scenario: an engineer who wants more than a receipt could combine a modest annual gift with mentoring one scholar, gaining a direct view of how the money helps. Check the foundation's donation page for current giving levels and any employer-matching instructions before you commit.
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