The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was created in 1984 by: the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts (Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton); Betty Grissom (widow of the seventh astronaut, Virgil “Gus” Grissom); William Douglas, M.D. (The Project Mercury flight surgeon); and Henri Landwirth (Orlando businessman and friend). Together they represented a wealth of collective influence which was particularly suited to encouraging university students pursuing scientific excellence. Their mission was to ensure the United States would be the global leader in technology for decades to come.

Since that time, astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and Commercial Space programs have also embraced this noble mission. ASF partners with industry leaders, universities and individual donors to reward the best and brightest university students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with substantial scholarships.

The prestigious Astronaut Scholarship Award is known nationwide for being among the largest merit-based monetary scholarships awarded to undergraduate STEM juniors and seniors. ASF has a life-long relationship with each Astronaut Scholar and provides them with mentors, professional and personal development and networking with astronauts, C-suite level executives and industry leaders to help advance their careers.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has recently renewed and expanded our ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, recognizing the importance of unique perspectives and voices. ASF works with our university partners to execute the scholar selection process in accordance with the standards set forth by ASF’s Mission and Bylaws, Title VI, and supporting policies and procedures.