The Interstellar Research Group is proud to present its 2026 Scholarship Program. The program will provide one undergraduate scholarship, one masters scholarship, and one doctoral scholarship for qualifying students.
Applications are open to students enrolled at a university in the United States/or its territories, and must be a citizen of the United States and live in the United States and/or its territories.
Areas included can be STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) related fields, ecology, social sciences, environmental, business, health, law, agriculture, food sciences, computer science, education, construction, and any degrees which can be applied to interstellar space travel missions and to help establish successful civilizations.
The $2,500 scholarships (including the Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship), sponsored by IRG supporters, are merit-based and require applicants to complete an essay with their application forms.
To apply for the scholarships, download and complete the applications below:
Applicant must be a full-time student accepted to or enrolled in an accredited college or university that awards a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree.
Applicant must be a full-time student accepted to or enrolled in an accredited program that awards Master’s degree for the fall of 2026.
Applicant must be a full-time student accepted to or enrolled in an accredited program that awards a doctoral or professional degree.
The deadline for all applications is December 15, 2025, at 5 pm EST.
For more information about the scholarships please contact our Scholarship Committee by emailing scholarship@irg.space
The Interstellar Research Group “was created to foster and assist the study, research and experimentation necessary to make human interstellar travel a reality, with untold benefits to life on Earth,” said IRG President Emeritus John Preston. “We can imagine no better way to demonstrate that goal than the creation of these scholarships, helping new generations of thinkers, builders and explorers to set their sights on the stars.”
Thanks to Baen Books for sponsoring the Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship, for our Undergraduate Scholarship, and Robert and Ruann Hampson for sponsoring our Masters Scholarships and PhD.
To learn more about IRG scholarship sponsors, visit:
Connect with IRG organizers and participants via social media: