Scholarship and Award Opportunities

VFF Scholarship

Level: Undergraduate, graduate

Nationality requirements: none

Award: $1000 – $5000

The Vertical Flight Foundation (VFF) Scholarships are awarded annually by VFS International to both undergraduate and graduate students who have expressed interest in seeking careers in the rotorcraft industry. The scholarship program was established in 1977. Georgia Tech has had at least one winner every year for the past 20 years!

Students can win the award up to three times, once as an undergraduate student, once as an M.S. student and once as a Ph.D. student. The award monetary value can range anywhere between $1000 and $5000. Applications are due every year on February 1^st. You can view the application progress and the eligibility requirements here.

To learn more about the VFF scholarships, visit their homepage here.

Lichten Award

Membership Requirement: VFS Member

Award: Up to $1500 for travel to VFS Forum, with complimentary registration and hotel

The Lichten Award provides the opportunity for VFS members that have not previously presented their work at a conference to travel to the VFS Forum to present a paper, after Regional and National Competitions. The papers are first submitted to the Chapter and Regional VFS, then Regional Nominations are submitted to VFS Headquarters. For more information, see the VFS awards page, and the procedure and eligibility.

Selected students (1st and 2nd) are invited to the VFS Annual Forum, with complimentary hotel and registration, and paid travel (national and international) for up to $1,500. The winning paper can be submitted to the Journal of the American Helicopter Society for possible publication.

Amelia Earhart Fellowship

Study Level: PhD

Restrictions: Offered to women in an aerospace-related field

Award: $10,000

The Amelia Earhart Zonta Fellowship is awarded annually to up to 30 women pursuing PhD degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences, in any university or college in the world. Applications open in July, and are usually due in November of each year.

More information can be found in the Amelia Earhart Fellowship page.