Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarships
Offered by Vertical Flight Society
About This Scholarship
The Vertical Flight Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Vertical Flight Society (founded in 1943 as the American Helicopter Society), has awarded more than 760 scholarships totaling over $2 million to engineering students interested in helicopters, eVTOL aircraft, and other vertical flight technology. In 2026 alone, 32 students won VFF scholarships.
Awards range from $4,000 to $6,000 and go to full-time undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students in engineering and technical disciplines relevant to vertical flight - and the foundation explicitly welcomes students in complex aeronautics and aviation systems programs even if their school offers no vertical-lift specialty. Two named awards top the list: the $6,000 Bell Scholarship for the top-ranked applicant and the $6,000 Jing Yen Cost Awareness Scholarship for a narrative demonstrating commitment to affordability in vertical flight.
No society membership is required, and the program is open to students at accredited universities worldwide regardless of nationality. Applications require a resume, transcript, personal narrative, and a professor's recommendation; selection weights experience (35%) and the narrative (25%) most heavily. The 2027 deadline is February 1.
Eligibility
- Full-time student at an accredited university or college anywhere in the world, any nationality
- Enrolled in an engineering or technical degree program relevant to vertical flight (undergraduate, master's, or PhD)
- Must remain a full-time student for at least a year after the May award ceremony
- No Vertical Flight Society membership required
How To Apply
- Prepare a resume, official transcript, personal narrative about your passion for vertical flight, and a letter of recommendation from a professor.
- Submit the completed application through the VFF portal at vtol.org before the February 1, 2027 deadline (applications open in December).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to study helicopters specifically to qualify?
No. The scholarships are open to students in technical disciplines related to complex aeronautics engineering or aviation systems, even if their program is not formally vertical-lift engineering.
Is Vertical Flight Society membership required to apply?
No. The scholarship is open to full-time students anywhere in the world regardless of membership or nationality.