USRA Distinguished Undergraduate Awards

The USRA Distinguished Undergraduate Awards recognizes outstanding students who have shown a career interest in the physical sciences, engineering, or life sciences with an emphasis on space research, space science education or aerospace-related sciences or engineering. Each award comes with a scholarship.

Overview

The USRA Distinguished Undergraduate program awards five undergraduate scholarships in amounts of $5,000 each. Scholarships are awarded for one year only.

All awards will be paid directly to the recipients. The USRA Scholarships are awarded to U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents, or students from USRA non-US member universities. Awards are made without regard to race, gender, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity. USRA will not make scholarship awards to applicants who are not qualified and reserves the right not to award a scholarship in a given year.

Scholarships

Thomas R. McGetchin Memorial Scholarship Award

The Thomas R. McGetchin Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established in honor of Dr. McGetchin and his contributions to planetary science.

John R. Sevier Memorial Scholarship Award

The John R. Sevier Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established in honor of Dr. Sevier and his contributions to aerospace science.

James B. Willett Educational Memorial Scholarship Award

The James B. Willett Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established by the Willett family in honor of Dr. Willett and his contributions to astrophysics and the nation’s space program.

Frederick A. Tarantino Memorial Scholarship Award

This scholarship award recognizes the late Frederick A. Tarantino, USRA President and CEO from 2006 – 2014, in recognition of his many contributions to USRA and his dedication to furthering the education of young scientists and engineers in space science related fields.

Judith L. Pipher Memorial Scholarship Award

This scholarship award recognizes Prof. Judith L. Pipher, for her pioneering work in infrared astronomy and instrumentation, and her many contributions to USRA.

Each of these five scholarships is a highly competitive one-time award of $5,000 that is given to the student who best represents the goals and mission of USRA and its scholarship donors. Successful past recipients have come from many academic disciplines, but all have demonstrated the academic achievement required for the scientific/engineering workforce of the future, and a passion for space exploration research, engineering, or space-related education.

Eligibility Requirements & Criteria

• To be considered for a USRA Distinguished Undergraduate Award, applicants must be full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited college or university that offers courses leading to a degree in science or engineering. Applicants must be within two (2) years of earning a B.S. or B.A. by the time the award is received. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful Permanent Residents.
• Applicants must be majoring in the science or engineering. This would include, but is not limited to, aerospace engineering, aeronautics, astronomy, astrobiology, computer science, earth science, electrical engineering, geophysics, geology, mechanical engineering, physics, planetary science, and space science education.
• Applicants must have demonstrated interest in aerospace-related science or engineering, space science research and/or space science education.
• Applicants must be in good academic standing at their institutions and carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.
• Awards are made in the fall, with applications accepted from early June to early August.

Applications are now being accepted through Aug 7, 2024. More information is available at the USRA website.

USRA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the academic community, government space programs, individual scientists and engineers, and students across the breadth of space-related science and technology.  We are proud to offer education opportunities to students.