Making an Impact

Scholarship Program

Helping young people develop careers in aviation by offering scholarships to college-level students who are academically qualified and in need of financial support.

Students

2026 Scholarship Process Timeline

8 December 2025: Nomination and application forms open
31 January 2026: Deadline for scholarship nominations
13 March 2026: Deadline for scholarship applications
May 2026: Notifications sent to recipients

The application for the ISTAT Foundation Scholarship is by invitation only and open to a select number of qualified universities. Students must secure a nomination from the university they will be attending during the 2026-2027 academic year to apply for the Scholarship.

Questions?

We recognize you may have questions while working through the ISTAT Scholarship Program process.Learn more about the ISTAT Foundation Scholarship application process in the walkthrough video below. Please reach out to foundation@istat.org with further questions.

Candidate Criteria

Completion of at least one year of undergraduate (bachelor's) studies or enrollment in graduate (master's) or post-graduate (doctoral) studies.
Minimum United States Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement: 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale or global equivalent.
Need for financial support for university tuition-only fees.
Enrollment in a program related to aviation or a field that supports the aviation industry (such as, but not limited to, aviation finance, aviation law, aeronautical engineering, aviation management, aeronautical science, airline or aircraft marketing, airline or aircraft economics, aviation maintenance, airport management, aviation safety or air traffic control). Please note that applications from candidates with a career goal to become a pilot will not be accepted.
A clear interest in pursuing a career in the aviation industry.
Involvement in extra-curricular/community activities indicating leadership qualities.

Universities

Qualified universities are invited to submit two candidates, unless requested otherwise, to apply for the Scholarship on an annual basis. View of list of qualified universities.

University Process

Returning University: If you are currently apart of the ISTAT Foundation University Network, you are on the list to receive the 2026 nomination form that was distributed on Monday, 8 December. If you did not receive an email and your university is on the University Network list, please reach out to foundation@istat.org.

New University: If you did not receive a nomination request for the 2026 Scholarship program and your university is not listed on the University Network list, please complete this questionnaire. Within five business days of submitting the questionnaire, the ISTAT Foundation will email the university to confirm if they are eligible to submit candidates for the Scholarship Program.

In 2026, 56 student scholarships totaling $631,503 USD
were awarded to students worldwide.

2026 Scholarship Recipients

Adyl Bechir Abderahman, UIR College of Engineering & Architecture
Nimco Ahmed Ali, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT)
Benjamin Allen, Loughborough University
Giorgio Amasanti, University of Cambridge
Ahmed Angawi, City St George's, University of London
Nufath Arham, Kent State University
Madison Bernal, California Polytechnic State University
Jonathan "Jonny" Burkhart, Kent State University
Daniel Miguel Cirone, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Davidson Nzekwe-Daniel, Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus
Christian Drennan, University of Bath
Alyssa Duffy, Lynn University
Pablo Franco, Universidad de Antioquia
Shon Fridman, Leiden University
Isabella Garcia, Oklahoma State University
Addison Gehin, Lewis University
Michael Hein, Oklahoma State University
Mohammed Diaa Eldin Abdalla Ismail, UIR College of Engineering & Architecture
Ryudai Iuchi, Kanazawa Institute of Technology
Kaelani Jackson, Lynn University
Jagoda Janik, Lewis University
Jeronimo Jaramillo, Pontifical Bolivarian University (Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana)
Hudson Keel, Auburn University
Eileen Kim, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott
Jesca Baguma Kitenderezo, City St George's, University of London
Maya Lesniak, Lewis University

Feiyang Li, Imperial College London

Maria Restrepo Madrigal, Pontifical Bolivarian University (Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana)
Amelia Mantuano, Manhattan College
Joshua Matthews, Imperial College London
Chesley Mendoza, Lewis University
Anissa Mitchell, Broward College
Abdoulaye Mohamed, UIR College of Engineering & Architecture
Jonathan Morris, Loughborough University
Caleb Murphy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott
Matthew Parker, University of Cambridge
Deepika Rajanna, Cranfield University
Jürgen Reyiel Ramahefarivo, AEROSUP - Ecole D'ingénieurs Aéronautique
Jonathan Radoarisaona Ramanantsitohaina, AEROSUP - Ecole D'ingénieurs Aéronautique
Gabriela Steffi Sanchez Cutipa, Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile
Sassine Sassine, ISAE - SUPAERO
Mansi Singh, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Binti Singh, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Isaac Millar-Smith, Purdue University
Natalia Socha, Manhattan College
Cody Spencer, Wichita State University
Charitha Surasura, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Mitsuki Tanoue, Osaka Metropolitan University
Caetano Torres Rubio, ISAE - SUPAERO
Cole Vandiver, Georgia Southern University
Tongyu "Stephen" Wang, New York University Shanghai
Kai Jun Wong, Dublin City University
Yinxiao Zhang, Purdue University
Liming Zheng, University of Cambridge

Named Scholarship Recipients

Aviation Capital Group (ACG) D&I Scholarship
Jesca Baguma Kitenderezo, City St George's, University of London

AELF James Nazarkewich Aviation Scholarship
Benjamin Allen, Loughborough University
Nufath Arham, Kent State University

AerCap Scholarship
Davidson Nzekwe-Daniel, Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus

Diane K. Ballweg Scholarship
Addison Gehin, Lewis University
Jagoda Janik, Lewis University
Maya Lesniak, Lewis University
Chesley Mendoza, Lewis University

GA Telesis Scholarship
Hudson Keel, Auburn University
Eileen Kim, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott
Anissa Mitchell, Broward College

Gilbert W. Speed Memorial Scholarship Award
Daniel Miguel Cirone, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Jeronimo Jaramillo, Pontifical Bolivarian University (Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana)

Hafthor Hafsteinsson Scholarship
Deepika Rajanna, Cranfield University

H Jordan Labkon Memorial Scholarship
Shon Fridman, Leiden University

Jon Batchelor Scholarship
Alyssa Duffy, Lynn University
Kaelani Jackson, Lynn University

Norman C.T. Liu East Asia Scholarship
Ryudai Iuchi, Kanazawa Institute of Technology
Mitsuki Tanoue, Osaka Metropolitan University
Tongyu "Stephen" Wang, New York University Shanghai
Kai Jun Wong, Dublin City University
Liming Zheng, University of Cambridge

Omni Air
Isabella Garcia, Oklahoma State University

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Scholarship
Mansi Singh, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Isaac Millar-Smith, Purdue University
Yinxiao Zhang, Purdue University

Named Scholarships

The ISTAT Foundation Named Scholarships are awarded to students at specific universities per the individual donor’s requirements. Certain Named Scholarship funds include donations that are matched by ISTAT. Awardees are selected from the applicant pool collected through the annual scholarship application process and are chosen by the ISTAT Foundation Scholarship Committee, which reviews applications.

ACG Diversity & Inclusion Fund Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to an African student at an African university or a female student from South America at any eligible university worldwide pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering or aviation management annually.

AELF James Nazarkewich Aviation Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to one or more students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in aerospace engineering or a related field, with preference given to students interested in aviation technical careers. If multiple students are awarded, at least one student should be enrolled as an aerospace engineering student at a U.S. University. Recipients will be provided a mentorship opportunity with the namesake of this scholarship, Jim Nazarkewich, Chief Technical Officer for AELF, in person or remotely, and an opportunity to visit AELF offices or visit with staff members virtually.

AerCap Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to one student pursuing undergraduate or graduate degree programs in aviation-related fields, such as engineering, aircraft finance and leasing, or aviation law, at a U.S. university.

GA Telesis Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to one student at a university in the United States annually.

Gilbert W. Speed Memorial Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to up to two students interested in aviation careers, including aviation management, aeronautical sciences, aeronautical engineering, flight, airport management, air traffic control, aviation computer sciences, aviation maintenance, aviation law, equipment finance, or a related field. Candidates must have completed at least two years of college and can also be graduate students. Ideally, the student shall have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and demonstrate financial need. Focus on individuals who have shown evidence of personal plans and goals in an aviation career.

Hafthor Hafsteinsson Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to one student at a European university studying aviation management, aviation economics, aviation law or equipment finance.

ISTAT Foundation/Diane K. Ballweg Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to four Lewis University students annually with two awarded to female students.

ISTAT Foundation/Omni Air International Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to one Oklahoma State University annually.

Jon Batchelor Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to two students at universities in Florida, United States annually.

ordan Labkon Memorial Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to one student annually with a concentration in aviation law.

Norman C.T. Liu East Asia Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to five students of East Asian descent attending universities in Asia, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East or the European Union.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Scholarship Award

This scholarship is awarded to two students annually; one from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and one from Purdue University.

Are you a former recipient of an ISTAT Foundation Scholarship?  Join our ISTAT Foundation Scholarship Alumni Network on LinkedIn! Want to receive timely updates and communications around the Scholarship Program? Fill out this form to join our email list.