Press Releases

Distant Worlds, Neighboring Opportunities

This theme evokes the fact that while truly interstellar missions remain an aspirational goal, all steps that we take now can have far-reaching effects by coloring our immediate challenges.

Just as habitat engineering studies have benefits for improving living in harsh earth environments; studies of culture, law, art, and governance here on earth will have lasting impacts on crewed interstellar missions.

We want to underscore how the breadth of the human experience will determine the success of our expansion to Distant Worlds and stars beyond. Neighboring opportunities reminds us that space is for all.

The Interstellar Research Group is proud to present its 2025 Scholarship Program. This year programs will provide one undergraduate scholarship, Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship ($2,500), and one master’s level graduate scholarship ($2,500), and one doctoral level scholarship ($2,500) for qualifying students.

The scholarships (including the Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship) are sponsored by IRG supporters Baen Books and Rob and Ruann Hampson are merit-based, and require applicants to complete an essay with their application forms. The deadline for all applications is December 15, 2024 by 5 pm EST.

IRG announces Scholarship Program for rising college undergraduates, graduate students

The non-profit Interstellar Research Group (formerly the Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop) is proud to present its 2021 Scholarship Program, to provide two undergraduate scholarships and one graduate-student scholarship for qualifying students. The $2,500 scholarships (including the Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship), sponsored by IRG supporters Baen Books, Rob and Ruann Hampson, and Jay and Beth Roye, are merit-based, and require applicants…

Interstellar Research Group (IRG) is proud to announce the winners of the 2020 Scholarship Program

Following a competitive process with many high-quality applicants, the Interstellar Research Group has chosen three students as the recipients of our 2020 scholarships. With the support of Baen Books (who sponsor the Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship), Rob and Ruann Hampson, and Jay and Beth Roye, we are awarding these deserving students one graduate scholarship ($2500) and two undergraduate scholarships ($2500…

TVIW announces Scholarship Program for rising college undergraduates, graduate students

The non-profit Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop is proud to present its 2020 Scholarship Program, to provide two undergraduate scholarships and one graduate-student scholarship for qualifying students. The $2,500 scholarships (including the Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship), sponsored by TVIW supporters Baen Books and Rob and Ruann Hampson, are merit-based, and require applicants to complete an essay with their application forms. The…

Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop (TVIW) is proud to announce the winners of the 2019 Scholarship Program

Following a competitive process with many high-quality applicants, the Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop has chosen three students as the recipients of our 2019 scholarships. With the support of Baen Books (who are sponsoring the Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship), Rob and Ruann Hampson, and J and Beth Roye, we are awarding these deserving students one graduate scholarship ($2500) and two undergraduate…

Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop (TVIW) is proud to announce the winners of the 2018 Scholarship Program.

Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop (TVIW) is proud to announce the winners of the 2018 Scholarship Program. Following a competitive process with many high-quality applicants with intriguing essays, three students were chosen as the recipients of the 2018 scholarships. With the support of Baen Books, Rob and Ruann Hampson, and The Vershall Roy Trust, TVIW will award these deserving students two…