The Ad Astra Kansas Foundation, a non-profit organization, is offering college scholarships for students attending Kansas institutions who are studying for careers in space exploration. Areas of study may include but are not limited to planetary science, astronomy, astrobiology, human spaceflight, rocketry, spacecraft design, and robotics.
The Ad Astra Kansas Foundation focuses on high-tech and space-tech research in Kansas and on promoting STEM education within the state. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) educational corporation in Kansas.
Award Components: Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded—one to a graduate student and one to a full-time undergraduate beyond their freshman year (sophomore, junior, or senior). In addition, a $500 scholarship will be awarded to an incoming freshman for the 2026–2027 academic year. Each winner will receive two Cosmosphere all-mission tickets.
Recipients will also be invited to our April outreach day in Topeka and the August Galaxy Forum in Hutchinson. Attendance at these events is optional and does not affect scholarship eligibility. Any travel expense reimbursements must be pre-approved by the committee.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be a graduate student, current full-time undergraduate student, or planning to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in an accredited Kansas college, university, or vocational-technical school for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Eligible majors include science, engineering, or any program that can contribute to the advancement of space exploration.
- Applicants must not have previously received a $1000 Ad Astra Kansas Foundation Scholarship. Honorable Mention recipients are eligible to apply.
To be considered for this scholarship, complete this online Google Application Form by March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time and submit the following as a single PDF:
Please name your file using the following format: lastname_firstname_Ad_Astra_KS_Scholarship_YEAR.pdf
- For those under 18, we will also need a parental/guardian consent form.
- An original essay (one page) on any experiences or projects that have prepared or inspired you for a career in space exploration. (30%)
- An original essay (one page) on your career goals after completing your education and how you plan to contribute to space exploration. (30%)
- CV or Resume (no page limit). Include education, awards \& honors, professional \& volunteering experience, publications \& conferences, skills, etc. (30%)
- All unofficial college transcripts (no page limit). Incoming freshmen or current college freshmen must include high school transcripts. Remove social security numbers, or any other sensitive personal information if listed. (10%)
Applicants will be notified of their application status in April 2026; individual scores will not be disclosed. Scholarship checks will be sent to the recipient’s institution for Fall 2026. For questions, contact Sarah Lamm, Scholarship Committee Head, (
contact@adastra-ks.org).
Note: Applications that do not follow the directions — such as those that are late, incomplete, incorrectly named files, multiple files, illegible or unopenable PDF, non-PDF formats — will not be considered. Applicants will not be contacted for corrections. Applicants should not ask for feedback or individual scores as these will not be provided.
