AIAA Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships and Graduate Awards Opening Soon
Offered by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation
About This Scholarship
The AIAA Foundation, the charitable arm of the world's largest aerospace professional society, runs a single annual application that feeds roughly 20 named scholarships and awards for students in aerospace-related fields. Undergraduate awards range from $500 to $10,000 and include marquee names like the Daedalus 88 Scholarship, the Thompson Space Technology Scholarship, and the Mary W. Jackson Scholarship, each worth $10,000. A parallel slate of about nine graduate awards runs $1,000 to $10,000, topped by the Neil Armstrong Award and the Orville and Wilbur Wright Award.
One application covers the full slate, so a single submission puts you in the running for every award you qualify for. Applicants must be AIAA student members in good standing — student membership is inexpensive and open to anyone enrolled at an accredited institution — and must show demonstrated academic interest in the subject area of the award. Undergraduates need at least one completed semester of full-time college work.
The application window opens October 15 at noon ET and closes January 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET, with letters of recommendation due by February 13. For a technical scholarship program with five-figure top awards, the pool is narrower than you might expect because the membership requirement filters out casual applicants — joining AIAA as a student is one of the better returns on a small membership fee in the STEM scholarship world.
Eligibility
- Current AIAA student member in good standing (membership open to enrolled students)
- Undergraduates: at least one completed academic semester of full-time college work
- Enrolled in a program related to aerospace science, engineering, or a field covered by a specific award
- Demonstrated academic interest in the subject area of the award
How To Apply
- Join AIAA as a student member (or confirm your membership is in good standing)
- Prepare transcripts, a resume, and your award-specific essay materials
- Submit the single online application at aiaa-awards.org between October 15, 2026 and January 31, 2027 (11:59 p.m. ET)
- Make sure recommendation letters are submitted by February 13, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply separately for each named scholarship?
No. One application covers the full slate of AIAA Foundation undergraduate scholarships and graduate awards, and you are considered for every award whose criteria you meet.
Do I have to be an AIAA member?
Yes. Applicants must be current AIAA student members in good standing. Student membership is low-cost and open to students at accredited colleges and universities, so most applicants join before applying.
How much can I win?
Undergraduate scholarships range from $500 to $10,000, and graduate awards run $1,000 to $10,000. The largest awards include the Daedalus 88, Thompson Space Technology, and Mary W. Jackson scholarships and the Neil Armstrong and Orville and Wilbur Wright graduate awards.