NASA is often perceived as being all about space, but this week the agency said it will offer scholarships to encourage students to pursue careers in aeronautics research to develop vehicles that fly in the atmosphere as well as in space. Twenty grants of up to $15,000 per year for two years will be awarded to undergraduates, and graduate students can receive up to $35,000 per year for up to three years. All the students can also apply for summer research internships at NASA, which pay a $10,000 stipend. “We want more students to pursue careers in aeronautics,” said Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “By offering these scholarships, we are extending to students not just an opportunity to become familiar with NASA’s research, but also an extra dose of inspiration. Scholarships are an excellent way for us to attract talented young innovators to our work force.”
NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate conducts research that aims to help transform the nation’s air transportation system and to develop future air and space vehicles. Goals include improving airspace capacity and flexibility; aviation safety and aircraft performance; and reducing overall noise, engine emissions and fuel consumption. The application deadline for the 2011 academic year is Jan. 17, 2011. Students who have not committed to a specific academic institution or program still may apply. However, if accepted, they must be admittedby fall 2011 into a suitable aeronautical engineering program or related field of study at an accredited U.S. university. All applicants must be U.S. citizens. Scholarship money may be used for tuition and other school-related expenses. For more info about the scholarships, click here. For more info about aeronautics research at NASA, click here.
