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 in Aerospace
Applications open 11 August – 1 October 2025, 11:59pm US ET.
Eligibility Requirements
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/university in the 50 U.S. states or one of its dependent territories
- Undergraduate students only
- Must be at least 18 years old to participate in the program.
Application Process and Details
A completed application requires the following information from all applicants
- Basic information about you
- Your university and degree information
- A resume or CV (optional, to help judges learn more about your background)
- Answers to three short-answer essay questions
- University or college transcripts (unofficial copy is ok)
Applications take an average of 30 minutes to complete.
Program Details
Students selected for a Rising Stars scholarship will receive the following, covered by the AIAA Rising Stars Program:
- Roundtrip coach airfare
- 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
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The AIAA SciTech Forum program covers the science, technologies, and policies that are shaping the future of aerospace. The forum is the largest event for aerospace research, development, and technology in the world.
2026 ASCEND (Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery)19 May 2026 - 21 May 2026
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Join us 19–21 May 2026 to access inspiring sessions and premium content, develop valuable business leads, and make meaningful connections.
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2025 AVIATION/ASCEND Rising Stars
Rising Stars speaking with Aymette “Amy” Medina Jorge, Las Vegas, NV, July 2025.
AIAA Rising Stars enjoying ASCEND in Las Vegas, NV, July 2025.
2025 AIAA SciTech Rising Stars
AIAA SciTech Rising Stars mingling at the Awards Recognition Ceremony. Orlando, FL, January 2025.
AIAA SciTech Rising Stars enjoying their time at the conference. Orlando, FL, January 2025.
The Rising Stars in Aerospace program is made possible by
2025 AVIATION/ASCEND Rising Stars
SciTech 2025 Rising Stars
Testimonials
