5/28/2025 Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
Two Illinois Physics students among 74 selected to receive up to $15,000 in financial support
Written by Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) in Orlando, FL, has announced its 2025 class of Astronaut Scholars—exceptional undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. For 2025, a total of 74 undergraduate students from 51 universities and colleges across the United States will each receive up to $15,000. ASF will present this year’s Astronaut Scholars during its Innovators Symposium & Gala featuring the Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence on August 13–16, 2025, at the Omni Houston Hotel in Houston, Texas.
Two Illinois Physics undergraduate students, David Balut and Jason Li, are among the outstanding young scholars selected this year.
“Welcoming each new class of Astronaut Scholars into the ASF family is always a highlight of the year,” says Caroline Schumacher, President and CEO of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. “The 2025 class of Astronaut Scholars brings fresh energy, creativity and determination to the ASF community and carries forward the legacy of innovation and courage that began with our founding Mercury 7 Astronauts. We’re excited to see how their passion and talent will help fuel meaningful progress across STEM fields.”
ASF’s Astronaut Scholarship is offered to junior and senior-year college students pursuing degrees in STEM. The process begins with nominations from professors or faculty members at an ASF-partnering university. Upon selection, each student receives a scholarship up to $15,000. Additional highlights include exclusive mentorship and professional networking with astronauts, alumni, and industry leaders. Astronaut Scholars also take part in the Michael Collins Family Professional Development Program and receive a fully funded trip to attend ASF’s Innovators Symposium & Gala, including a technical conference where Astronaut Scholars showcase their cutting-edge research.
ASF awarded its first seven $1,000 scholarships in 1986 to pay tribute to the pioneering Mercury 7 Astronauts—Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton. The program was championed by the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts, along with Betty Grissom (widow of Gus Grissom), Dr. William Douglas (Project Mercury’s flight surgeon), and Orlando philanthropist Henri Landwirth. What began as a powerful tribute quickly evolved into a national commitment to support exceptional college students pursuing degrees in STEM. Since then, over the past 40 years, more than $10 million has been awarded to more than 900 college students.
About the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) is an Orlando-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit commemorating the legacy of America’s pioneering astronauts. Founded in 1984 by the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts, ASF partners with industry leaders, universities, and individual donors to support and reward exceptional college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Over the past 40 years, more than $10 million has been awarded to over 900 college students. ASF is a four-star rated organization by Charity Navigator.