Students Will Work Directly With NASA Researchers On Multiple Projects

NASA has selected 25 graduate and undergraduate students from across the country to receive aeronautics scholarships for the next school year. NASA selected the students from hundreds of applicants. The Aeronautics Scholarships Program, which is in its fourth year, aids students enrolled in fields related to aeronautics and aviation studies.

"We are proud to welcome these scholars to the NASA family as members of a nationwide team of researchers who are pursuing an ambitious set of aeronautics technology development goals," said Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "We are excited about this opportunity to act as mentors, and we fully expect the students will teach us a few things too. We especially look forward to the fresh ideas they will contribute to our pursuit of solutions for some of the most pressing challenges facing the air transportation system today."

Selected students will have the opportunity to intern with NASA researchers and directly work on projects such as managing air traffic more efficiently; reducing noise, fuel consumption and emissions; and improving safety.

Twenty undergraduate scholarship winners will receive $15,000 per year to cover tuition costs for two years and a $10,000 stipend during a summer internship with NASA. Five graduate scholarship winners will receive approximately $35,000 per year for up to three years and $10,000 stipends for two summer internships. To maintain the scholarship awards, all recipients must continue to meet the academic standards of the universities they attend.

This year's recipients are enrolled at universities in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Texas. The program annually awards 20 two-year undergraduate scholarships plus summer internships, and five two- or three-year graduate scholarships plus summer internships.

In September, students can apply online for 2012 aeronautics scholarships. Applicants must be citizens of the United States or its territories. The application requirements include information about the students' proposed areas of study.

FMI: www.aeronautics.nasa.gov