Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF)

The Astronaut Scholarship, founded in 1984 to honor the Mercury 7 astronauts, supports high-achieving STEM students pursuing research careers—similar to the Goldwater Scholarship.

An awardee will receive up to $15,000 and attend an induction at the Astronaut Hall of Fame. While MD-only candidates focused on clinical research aren't eligible, those pursuing an MD-PhD with a biomedical research focus may apply.

Eligibility

• Degree-Level: Sophomore or Junior
• Academics: Applicants must have completed at least one year of full time college study as a STEM major, be currently enrolled as a full time student at UND at the time of nomination, and have demonstrated exemplary academic performance as reflected in transcripts.

ASF Major Fields of Study

• Colleges: UND Aerospace Sciences, UND Engineering & Mines, UND Arts & Sciences
• Citizenship: US citizenship is required

Nomination Criteria

• Nominees must be students in engineering, natural/applied sciences, or mathematics, with plans to pursue research or advance their field. Those pursuing clinical medicine are ineligible, but candidates focused on biomedical research may apply. Ideal nominees demonstrate initiative, creativity, and excellence—regardless of discipline or astronautical career goals.
• Demonstrated significant engagement beyond the classroom, such as:
  • • Research projects
    • Internships
    • Entrepreneurial initiatives
    • Technical papers or patents
• Faculty nominator who knows the student well and can attest to:
  • • Drive
    • Talent
    • Potential for a creative career advancing science and technology
• Refer to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation for more details.

Nomination Process

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation only accepts nominations for the Astronaut Scholarship from its affiliated and participating universities. If a student is interested in being nominated, they should contact a member of their university’s faculty regarding consideration. The nominating faculty will need to provide a nomination letter. Students should also contact the university liaison for more details regarding the internal process.

• Completed nomination materials include:
  • Eligibility requirements are met,
  • Two letters (one nomination and one recommendation),
  • Personal statement (one page maximum),
  • Copy of academic transcripts,
  • C.V. or resume.

• All nomination materials must be submitted by February 20, 2026.

Prospective Student Applicants

Prospective applicants should reach out to Dr. Yee Han Chu for an overview of the application, program requirements, additional advising information, and more.  

Application Deadlines

• UND Deadline: February 20th, 2026
• National Deadline: March 30th, 2026
• Applicant Selection: May 2026

Disclaimer

• Final Approval Authority: The ASF Scholarship Committee selects recipients from the nominees submitted by universities and presents them to the ASF Board of Directors for approval.

• Rejection Rights: The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation explicitly "retains the right to reject any and all nominees at its sole discretion."

• No Automatic Selection: Even though schools select their "best two" candidates, if both nominees are deemed unqualified by the ASF committee, the scholarship will not be awarded to that school