Astronaut Scholarship

Pharmacy laboratory stock photography

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships of up to $15,000 for "outstanding students who exhibit motivation, imagination and exceptional performance in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural or applied sciences." 

This is a nomination-required opportunity, which means you must apply for and win one of two campus nominations before you can compete at the national level. This page walks through all instructions for both the campus and national competitions. You may begin the process at any time after the national application portal opens. 

Please contact the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships at curf@ku.edu with questions.

Selection Criteria

Students eligible for the current application cycle are those who:

  • Major in natural or applied science, engineering or mathematics (biomedical research students are eligible; pre-med students are not).
  • Will be a junior or senior at the beginning of the next academic year
  • Will maintain full-time student status during the coming academic year.
  • Will have completed two years of full-time study at the University of Kansas by the coming fall semester.
  • Have conducted a considerable amount of research in their field.
  • Are U.S. citizens.

Faculty members must nominate students for the award; students may not apply directly. Any student who applied at the campus level for the Goldwater Scholarship is considered for a nomination. If you are interested and need a faculty nomination, please email curf@ku.edu.

Step 1: Apply for the Campus Nomination

Deadline: October 31st, 2027

Notification of nomination: March

Required materials:

Step 2: Apply for the national competition

Once you are nominated by KU, staff and faculty from CURF will work with you to improve your application materials for the national competition. Only complete these materials if you have been nominated.

Deadline: March

Notification of acceptance: May

Required materials: