Rising Stars: AVIATION or ASCEND Grant

Rising Stars: AVIATION or ASCEND Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Aiaa Foundation
Last Updated: December 16, 2025

Summary

The AIAA Rising Stars program empowers underrepresented undergraduate students interested in aerospace by providing scholarships to attend key AIAA events like the AVIATION Forum or ASCEND. Participants receive support for travel, conference registration, and unique networking opportunities with industry leaders. This initiative not only fosters professional growth but also helps build lasting relationships in the aerospace community, celebrating the achievements and potential of future innovators in the field.

Overview

About AIAA Our purpose is to ignite and celebrate aerospace ingenuity and collaboration, and its importance to our way of life. Our promise is to be your vital lifelong link to the aerospace community and a champion for its achievements. One Remarkable Fact Says It All: Since 1963, members from a single professional society have achieved virtually every milestone in modern American flight. That society is the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 95 corporate members, AIAA is the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. Created in 1963 by the merger of the two great aerospace societies of the day, the American Rocket Society (founded in 1930 as the American Interplanetary Society), and the Institute of the Aerospace Sciences (established in 1933 as the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences), AIAA carries forth a proud tradition of more than 80 years of aerospace leadership. Rising Stars in Aerospace The mission of AIAA Rising Stars in Aerospace is to provide opportunities for underrepresented university students who have an interest in or are pursuing a degree in aerospace to attend an AIAA forum or event, make connections, and form lifelong relationships with colleagues in industry, academia, and government. This program will be available to undergraduate students only. Rising Stars: AVIATION or ASCEND This year, you’ll complete one application and simply select your preferred destination: the AIAA AVIATION Forum or ASCEND. Choose the experience that best aligns with your interests. Program Details Students selected for a Rising Stars scholarship will receive the following, covered by the AIAA Rising Stars Program: Round-trip economy airfare (up to a designated cost limit)Conference registration (includes access to all networking events) Hotel room for the duration of the conference in host hotel A customized schedule Special small-group meetings with aerospace industry leaders The opportunity to make new friends that will last a lifetime

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To be eligible to participate in the AIAA Rising Stars program, student applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements below: Must be studying at an accredited college/universityUndergraduate students onlyMust be at least 18 years old to participate in the program.Have not previously attended an AIAA forum (AIAA SciTech Forum, AIAA AVIATION Forum, or ASCEND)