Aviation Scholarship

Aviation Announcement of Opportunity 2026

$3,000 (subject to funding availability) to attend the WAI Conference or aviation conference of choice.

The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) awards Aviation Scholarships to support outstanding undergraduates pursuing studies in aviation-related careers. This program recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to advancing the future of aviation.

1. Academic performance
2. STEM-related promise
3. Prior experience in aviation
4. Interest in pursuing a career in STEM/Aviation
5. Quality of application

*NOTE: Students also applying for other scholarship/fellowship funding programs should submit a statement distinguishing the Aviation Scholarship application from other scholarship/fellowship applications. The Technical Advisory Panel limits the number of individuals eligible to receive multiple awards.

This funding opportunity is made available for the pursuit of space-related research and/or activities through the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program: NASA Educational Cooperative Agreement #80NSSC25M7122. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this award is 43.008.

All awards are fully competitive awards of opportunity in which applications are reviewed by the WSGC Technical Advisory Panel and other experts as needed. Awards are made by the Assistant Director based on recommendations from the Associate Director.

Current and Past Recipients

March 19-21, 2026

37th Annual WAI Conference
Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center
Grapevine, TX

• Create a NASA STEM Gateway account: nasa.gov/public/s/login/
• Create a WSGC account: carthage.edu/about/login/
• Log in and complete the Aviation Scholarship application.
• Provide two letters of recommendation (one from a faculty advisor, one from an aviation mentor). Letters may be uploaded with the application or emailed to spacegrant@carthage.edu (Subject: AVS26_LOR).

Applicants must:
• Be a Wisconsin resident during the academic year.
• Be enrolled full-time in (or admitted/applied to) a WSGC member college/university.
• Be pursuing a program of study in aviation-related disciplines.
• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA (applications below 3.0 considered individually).
• Submit a complete online application.

• Two-page statement addressing:
  - Interest in aviation.
  - Experience in aviation (coursework, pilot training, etc.).
  - Benefit of attending the 2026 WAI conference or a similar aviation conference of choice.
  - Future plans to participate in aviation as a career, hobby, etc.

• Most recent college transcript (unofficial accepted; not required for incoming freshmen)

• Two recommendation letters (see above)

• Attend the Annual Wisconsin Space Conference in Aug. 2026.
• Submit award acceptance materials: Award Agreement, W9, biography, and professional photo.
• Submit award closeout materials: final report, project photos/video, and student story.

Please direct questions about the AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP to: