Aerospace Propulsion & Space Systems Scholarships
January Deadlines
1) AIAA Roger W. Kahn Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the better early-year aerospace scholarships for students who are still in the K-12-to-college transition pipeline and want a real aerospace-branded award from a major professional society. It stands out because the award size is meaningful, the source is highly credible, and the name recognition can help on future internship and scholarship applications. For a student aiming at propulsion, astronautics, launch systems, or aerospace engineering, having AIAA on the résumé is a serious signal.
Amount: Up to four scholarships of $10,000
Deadline: January 7
Apply/info: AIAA Roger W. Kahn Scholarship.
2) AIAA Mary W. Jackson Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This one is especially attractive for students entering aerospace who want a nationally respected scholarship with a strong mission attached to it. AIAA positions it for students studying fields that lead into the aerospace industry, and it specifically encourages students from underrepresented backgrounds. That makes it relevant not just for tuition support, but for students trying to build a strong identity and story inside aerospace engineering, space systems, or propulsion pathways.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: AIAA Undergraduate Scholarships & Graduate Awards.
3) AIAA Daedalus 88 Undergraduate Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a strong fit for students who like the build side of aerospace, not just classroom theory. The scholarship specifically rewards entrepreneurial spirit and student-led, hands-on, multidisciplinary aerospace project work, which makes it a smart target for students involved in rockets, propulsion teams, cubesats, UAVs, or space hardware clubs. If a student has actually built, tested, led, or flown something, this award fits that story very well.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: Daedalus 88 Undergraduate Scholarship.
4) AIAA David and Catherine Thompson Space Technology Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the cleanest direct matches on the page for students aiming at space systems. AIAA explicitly ties it to students entering the astronautics industry, which puts satellite systems, mission design, launch, spacecraft engineering, and space technology students directly in the sweet spot. If your reader is more “spacecraft and missions” than “general engineering,” this is one of the best-named, best-aligned awards to feature.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: David and Catherine Thompson Space Technology Scholarship.
5) AIAA Steve L. Karman Jr. Aerospace Engineering Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a newer AIAA scholarship with a meaningful award size and a broad aerospace engineering fit, which makes it useful for students who sit at the overlap of propulsion, flight systems, aerodynamics, structures, or spacecraft design. It is not as ultra-narrow as a pure propulsion award, so it works well for students whose coursework touches engines or space systems without locking them into a single technical subfield.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: AIAA Undergraduate Scholarships & Graduate Awards.
6) AIAA Vicki and George Muellner Scholarship for Aerospace Engineering
Why It Slaps: This is a useful mid-sized AIAA option for students who are clearly committed to aerospace engineering but may be applying to multiple awards inside one professional-society ecosystem. It is especially practical for students who want credible national scholarship support without relying only on the handful of very famous flagship aerospace awards. It also works nicely for students on aeronautics-to-space pathways because aerospace engineering programs often cross those boundaries.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: AIAA Undergraduate Scholarships & Graduate Awards.
7) AIAA Space Transportation Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the most on-theme awards for a page about propulsion and space systems because it directly targets space transportation interest. Students who care about launch vehicles, reusable systems, in-space transport, ascent/descent vehicles, or the broader architecture of getting payloads and people into and through space should absolutely have this on the radar. It is smaller than the $10,000 AIAA awards, but the fit is unusually sharp.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: Space Transportation Scholarship.
8) AIAA Neil Armstrong Graduate Award
Why It Slaps: Graduate students in propulsion, astronautics, controls, or space systems should take this seriously because it combines a strong award amount with major prestige. The Neil Armstrong name alone carries weight, and AIAA positions this as a graduate-level award for serious researchers. For master’s or Ph.D. students pushing into advanced propulsion, mission systems, or spaceflight research, it is one of the best headline awards in the group.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: Neil Armstrong Graduate Award.
9) AIAA Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Awards
Why It Slaps: This award is a strong graduate option for students whose work sits somewhere between classic flight heritage and modern aerospace research. It is also useful because AIAA indicates international students are encouraged to apply, which broadens the audience for your page. Students doing serious graduate work in aerospace, including space systems or advanced vehicle studies, should view this as a prestige-plus-funding target.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Awards.
10) AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Graduate Award
Why It Slaps: Space systems are not just about propulsion hardware. They are also about getting vehicles where they need to go and keeping them stable, accurate, and mission-capable. That makes this award a smart inclusion for spacecraft GNC, entry-descent-landing, autonomy, orbital operations, and flight-control students. It is a very strong fit for the systems side of aerospace and adds technical depth to the page beyond engine-only awards.
Amount: $3,500 plus a $350 stipend to attend the AIAA SciTech Forum
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: Guidance, Navigation and Control Graduate Award.
11) AIAA John Leland Atwood Graduate Award
Why It Slaps: This is a smaller-dollar graduate award, but it still matters because niche aerospace students often stack applications across multiple technically aligned awards. For a student already preparing AIAA materials, this is the kind of extra opportunity that can make a difference without requiring a totally separate search ecosystem. It is best viewed as a serious supplemental target for graduate aerospace researchers.
Amount: $1,250
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: John Leland Atwood Graduate Award.
12) AIAA Martin Summerfield Propellants and Combustion Graduate Award
Why It Slaps: This is one of the best direct matches on the entire page for propulsion-focused graduate students. If a student’s work touches combustion, propellants, engine performance, ignition, energetic materials, or rocket/air-breathing propulsion research, this is an unusually on-target award. It is exactly the kind of niche scholarship that makes a specialty page like this useful instead of generic.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: Martin Summerfield Propellants and Combustion Graduate Award.
13) AIAA Gordon C. Oates Air Breathing Propulsion Graduate Award
Why It Slaps: This is another laser-targeted award, but for students on the air-breathing propulsion side of the house. That makes it especially relevant for readers working on turbines, inlets, combustors, high-speed propulsion, jet engines, or advanced atmospheric propulsion concepts. It is narrow, technical, and exactly the sort of scholarship that serious propulsion students rarely find on broad scholarship roundups.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: Gordon C. Oates Air Breathing Propulsion Graduate Award.
14) AIAA Liquid Propulsion Scholarship / Graduate Award Track
Why It Slaps: Few programs match the page topic more directly than liquid propulsion. Students working on rocket engines, feed systems, cryogenic propellants, injector design, combustion stability, or launch-vehicle propulsion should pay attention whenever this award appears in the AIAA cycle. Even when a student is already applying for other AIAA awards, this one deserves separate attention because of the unusually precise technical fit.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: January 31 application deadline; recommendation letters due February 13
Apply/info: AIAA Undergraduate Scholarships & Graduate Awards.
February Deadlines
15) AIAA & Club for the Future Resilient Student Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This one adds a space-industry-adjacent option with a recognizable commercial-space connection. It is attractive for students who want a scholarship tied to resilience and future-focused aerospace storytelling, especially if they are earlier in the pipeline and want a scholarship that feels connected to the modern space ecosystem rather than only traditional academic channels. It is also a strong CTR-friendly inclusion for the page because the branding is memorable.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: February 16
Apply/info: Club for the Future Scholarship.
16) Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Scholarship
Why It Slaps: State Space Grant scholarships are often underrated because students do not realize how directly they can connect to NASA mission areas. This Wisconsin award is good because the amount is clear, the purpose is explicitly tied to NASA mission directorates, and the cycle has concrete dates. For a Wisconsin-based student interested in propulsion, spacecraft, exploration systems, or NASA-aligned research, this is one of the strongest regional plays on the list.
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: February 2 for the Fall 2026 scholarship cycle
Apply/info: Wisconsin Space Grant Undergraduate Scholarship.
March Deadlines
17) Astronaut Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the highest-prestige awards here. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation offers a strong dollar amount, a major brand, and valuable recognition for top-performing STEM students at participating universities. For students in aerospace engineering, astronautics, propulsion, or space systems who attend an eligible school and can secure a nomination, this belongs near the top of any serious list.
Amount: Up to $15,000
Deadline: March 30, 2026 for university nominations
Apply/info: Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Program.
18) NSSA RGi Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a high-value award for students whose interests sit at the intersection of space, STEM, and national security. That makes it relevant for readers pursuing satellite systems, orbital operations, remote sensing, defense space architecture, or other mission-driven space systems work. It is also one of the stronger amounts outside the big AIAA awards, so it deserves real attention.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 27, 2026
Apply/info: NSSA Scholarships 2026.
19) NSSA Moorman Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This award is a smart addition because it broadens the page beyond purely technical engine work and reflects the leadership side of the space systems world. It is designed for undergraduate students who show leadership, strong communication, and service, which matters in space programs where systems thinking, policy fluency, and mission leadership are just as valuable as raw technical skill. For ambitious undergrads aiming at national security space, it is a real contender.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 27, 2026
Apply/info: NSSA Scholarships 2026.
20) Ohio Space Grant Consortium Junior/Senior Undergraduate Scholarship
Why It Slaps: Ohio Space Grant is a strong regional NASA-connected option for aerospace students because it is not just money. It also expects a research project and participation in the annual student research symposium, which makes it valuable for students trying to build the kind of profile that leads to grad school, NASA internships, or systems-engineering opportunities later. For Ohio students in aerospace or related STEM, this is very publish-worthy.
Amount: $3,500
Deadline: March 1 through the campus representative
Apply/info: Ohio Space Grant Junior/Senior Undergraduate Scholarships.
April Timing
21) Maryland Space Grant Consortium Scholarship
Why It Slaps: Maryland Space Grant deserves a spot because it directly supports students pursuing STEM studies related to aerospace or NASA-relevant careers at affiliate institutions. The big advantage here is that the program openly states the money can be used for real college costs like tuition, books, fees, and room and board. For students in Maryland’s aerospace-heavy academic corridor, this can be one of the smartest regional targets on the board.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Regular 2026–2027 application period opens in April 2026; off-cycle applications may also be considered
Apply/info: Maryland Space Grant Scholarships.
May Deadlines
22) AFCEA STEM Major Scholarship
Why It Slaps: AFCEA is broader than aerospace, but this particular scholarship is still worth featuring because aerospace engineering is explicitly listed as an eligible major and the application window is current and clear. It works best for undergraduate students who sit on the communications, defense-tech, avionics, systems, or mission-integration side of aerospace and want another nationally credible STEM funding option.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Apply/info: AFCEA STEM Major Scholarship.
23) AFCEA Shrader Graduate Scholarship
Why It Slaps: Graduate aerospace students often need more than the classic aerospace-society list, especially if their research touches systems, networks, defense applications, avionics, autonomy, or secure mission environments. The Shrader award is not aerospace-only, but it is a serious graduate STEM scholarship with a live current cycle. That makes it a useful add-on target for space systems students whose work aligns with AFCEA’s mission space.
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Apply/info: AFCEA Shrader Graduate Scholarship.
24) Space Force Association Future Space Professionals Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the more directly branded “future of spacepower” scholarships available right now. It is designed for junior and senior STEM undergraduates and explicitly frames the award around future service as a space professional in industry, government, or the U.S. Space Force. For students building toward the operational, security, or policy side of space systems, it fits well.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Apply/info: Space Force Association Scholarship Programs.
25) United States Space Force Guardian Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This one is narrower, but for the right student it is a terrific fit. It is specifically designed for current Guardians, former Guardians, and contracted future Guardians who are pursuing higher education while advancing the future of spacepower. That makes it extremely relevant for military-connected students studying aerospace, astronautics, or space systems who want a scholarship that directly speaks their language and career path.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Apply/info: Space Force Association Scholarship Programs.
June Deadlines
26) Women in Aerospace Foundation Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the best non-AIAA aerospace scholarships to track because it is clearly aerospace-specific, has a clean dollar amount, and comes from a respected industry organization. It is especially strong for women pursuing aerospace pathways who want a scholarship that is not just generic “women in STEM” funding, but actually tied to the aerospace field. For rising juniors and seniors, it is one of the better summer-deadline targets to keep on the calendar.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 16, 2026
Apply/info: Women in Aerospace Foundation.
October Deadlines
27) Patti Grace Smith Fellowship
Why It Slaps: Even though this is technically a fellowship-style career-launch program rather than a plain tuition-only scholarship, it is too relevant to leave out. It is built to help talented Black undergraduates break into aerospace through a living-wage summer internship, mentorship, community, and a cash grant that can be used for tuition, school fees, laptops, software, or other academic needs. For students trying to turn “I want to work in aerospace” into a real first job, this is elite.
Amount: $2,500 or more cash grant, plus a living-wage summer internship
Deadline: Applications for the Class of 2026 were due October 17, 2025; the next application window is expected in August or September 2026
Apply/info: Patti Grace Smith Fellowship Apply Page.
November Deadlines
28) Matthew Isakowitz Commercial Space Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the best options on the commercial-space side of the market. It is especially useful for students who are interested not just in the technical side of spacecraft and launch, but also in space policy, industry strategy, and how commercial space actually grows. The scholarship amount is modest, but the internship consideration and networking access give it outsized career value for students interested in the future of the space economy.
Amount: $1,000 scholarship, plus consideration for a Washington, D.C.-area summer internship
Deadline: Summer 2026 applications were due November 7, 2025
Apply/info: Matthew Isakowitz Commercial Space Scholarship.
29) Amelia Earhart Fellowship
Why It Slaps: This is one of the most iconic and best-known awards in the entire aerospace scholarship world for women pursuing doctoral study. It is specifically for women working toward Ph.D. or doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering or space sciences, and the scale is strong: up to 30 awards annually. For doctoral readers on your site, this is not filler. It is a must-watch fellowship with real prestige.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: November 15, 2025 for the 2026 fellowship cycle
Apply/info: Amelia Earhart Fellowship.
FAQs
Are there really 30 strong scholarships just for aerospace propulsion and space systems?
Not cleanly. That is why this page is stronger at 29 verified options than a padded “30” filled with weak directory listings, expired awards, or generic STEM pages.
Why are fellowships included on a scholarships page?
Because in aerospace, some of the best funding opportunities come through fellowship-style programs that combine money, internships, mentorship, and career access. For students trying to enter propulsion, spacecraft, launch, or space operations, those programs can be even more valuable than a plain tuition check.
Are the January through March awards still worth listing if the deadline passed?
Yes. Aerospace scholarships are often annual, competitive, and niche. Publishing the month, amount, and official page now helps students plan ahead instead of discovering the opportunity after it closes.
Which scholarships are the best pure-fit options for propulsion students?
The strongest propulsion-specific fits on this page are the AIAA Martin Summerfield Propellants and Combustion Graduate Award, AIAA Gordon C. Oates Air Breathing Propulsion Graduate Award, AIAA Liquid Propulsion Scholarship / Graduate Award Track, and the broader but still relevant AIAA Space Transportation Scholarship.
Which ones are strongest for space systems students?
The clearest space-systems fits are the AIAA David and Catherine Thompson Space Technology Scholarship, Astronaut Scholarship, NSSA RGi Scholarship, NSSA Moorman Scholarship, Space Force Association scholarships, and the state Space Grant programs.
Are state Space Grant scholarships worth the effort?
Yes. They are often less crowded than the most famous national awards, and they connect directly to NASA-relevant education and research pipelines.
What should students do if they are not yet in college?
Start with scholarship pages that include high-school-to-college pipeline options, then build a calendar for the university awards that open after enrollment. Also track aerospace clubs, rocketry teams, Space Grant campuses, and AIAA student chapters early, because those experiences strengthen future scholarship applications.
