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James B. Willett Educational Memorial Scholarship Award

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$5,000

deadline Due: August 6, 2026

Eligibility

James B. Willett Educational Memorial Scholarship Award, with an application deadline in August, offers numerous awards of $5000 each.

Description

The James B. Willett Educational Memorial Scholarship Award recognizes the efforts of the late James B. Willett, a noted astrophysicist who worked with USRA through the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA Headquarters. Applicants must be undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited college or university in the United States at the time the award is received. Applicants must be majoring in a field of science or engineering, including life sciences or science education, with application to fields in space science or aerospace engineering. Applicants must be within two years of a B.S. or B.A. in a space science related field of science or engineering, including life science and science education with application to fields in space science or aerospace engineering, by the time the award is received. Previous USRA scholarship winners are not eligible. Applicants will be selected based on their demonstrated interest in space research, aerospace engineering, or space science education. Their essay, letters of recommendation, and quality and impact of leadership, outreach, and/or extra-curricular activities will also be considered. Non-US students attending USRA Member Universities located outside the United States are also eligible to apply. Applicants must be citizens of the country in which the university is based. In addition, all application materials must be in English, and eligibility with regard to academic grades and number of years to undergraduate degree must be equivalent to that for U.S. applicants. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation with at least one from a professor, mentor, or school official at the college level. It is recommended that the letter writers be personally familiar with the applicant's accomplishments, performance, skills, character, and/or experience. It is also recommended, where possible, that at least one letter be from a research or project advisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact USRA for more information.
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