UPDATED FEBRUARY 2021

The Astronaut Scholarship Selection Committee is seeking nominations of outstanding students who exhibit motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in the fields of engineering, mathematics, technology, and natural or applied sciences. The award is for up to $10,000 for the academic year.

Students must be nominated by a faculty member who knows them well enough to identify a special drive or talent that foreshadows a creative career leading to the advancement of scientific knowledge and technology. Ideal candidates will also possess intellectual daring and a genuine desire to positively change the world around them, both in and out of the classroom.

Nominee Requirements/Eligibility:

• Be a U.S. citizen (birth certificate, U.S. passport or naturalization papers required)
• Be a junior or senior at the time the scholarship begins (Fall 2021)
• Have completed two years full-time study at CSU
• Be majoring in Natural or Applied Science, Engineering, or Mathematics
• Be a full-time student during both terms of the ASF-supported academic year
• Have conducted a considerable amount of research in their field (Astronaut Scholarships are not awarded for pre-medical studies, so clinical medical research is not considered in the research selection criteria. However, biomedical research is included.)

All 2021 Astronaut Scholars will be invited to attend the Innovators Gala in Washington, D.C. where they will be presented with their scholarship award on stage during the event. ASF will fund the travel, hotel, and event costs for each scholar able to attend.

To Nominate a Student

Please submit the following materials to the Astronaut Scholarship Liaison (asf_scholarship@mail.colostate.edu) at Colorado State University no later than 11:59 pm on Monday, March 8, 2021.

• The nominating faculty member should complete the scholarship nomination form (link coming) with assistance from the nominee.
• Two nomination letters from faculty members or research professors (one from the nominating professor at the student’s institution) must be submitted, including details on research achievements/endeavors.
• Students must compose and submit a short statement of personal interests, activities, hobbies and goals, not to exceed one page of 12-point type. The narrative letter supporting the nomination form should give examples of the involvement and commitment of the student to their studies beyond the formal classroom setting as shown on the transcript. Creativity is an important attribute, and should be documented.
• Students must submit a personal resume.
• Completed nominations should be submitted to the Astronaut Scholarship Liaison (asf_scholarship@mail.colostate.edu) at the applying school in one .pdf document to no later than Monday, March 8, 2021 at 11:59 PM.

For more information about the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, please visit their website: https://astronautscholarship.org/

Please direct all questions about the scholarship and/or scholarship process at CSU to Mary Swanson (mary.swanson@colostate.edu).

Major Fields of Study Eligible for the Astronaut Scholarship

This list is based upon the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program listing of approved fields of study with the exception of Psychology, Social Sciences, and STEM Education and Learning Research which are specifically excluded from ASF Scholarship eligibility. Special consideration is NOT given to aeronautical/astronautical engineering students nor to those intending to pursue careers as astronauts.