The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awarded its first seven scholarships in 1986. Each founding Mercury 7 astronaut sponsored a $1,000 scholarship and they then began to fundraise to support future scholarships. Each astronaut would donate proceeds from their speaking engagements and shared the ASF mission wherever they went to raise awareness of both the mission and the scholarship program.Today, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awards more than 60 scholarships valued up to $15,000 to each selected scholar. Scholarship programming includes an Astronaut Scholar conference, mentorship, professional development, networking and recognition. This is the beginning of a life-changing experience for Astronaut Scholars that launches students to positively change and influence society through innovation.

• An applicant for the Astronaut Scholarship must be a citizen of the United States, either native born or naturalized, and must be at least a sophomore applying for their junior year, or a junior applying to receive a scholarship for their senior year. They must be enrolled in one of the participating universities in the Scholarship Program. Additionally, nominated students must be enrolled for both semesters as a full-time student for the ASF-supported academic year.
• Applicants must be seeking a STEM degree with intentions to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their final degrees. Students intending to pursue a practice in professional medicine are not eligible for the scholarship. However, those intending to perform biomedical research are eligible.