The Space Foundation will award twenty scholarships to attend the 35^th Space Symposium, as part of the Space Commerce Program, to eligible employees of minority-owned businesses.

Background

The Space Foundation has established a nation-wide Space Commerce Program to promote the growth and/or expansion of minority businesses into space-based technology markets. This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce / Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).  

Scientific discoveries resulting from space exploration have created new industries and technologies and have improved our lives, economy, and national security. These technological advancements of commercial space activities have also created profitable business opportunities. The Space Foundation will deliver training and assist businesses with emerging opportunities in the Space Community. 

The Space Commerce Training Program consists of four supporting elements:

• Space Commerce Education Webinars – Recorded and posted online; sessions allow self-paced instruction on key topics related to space commerce such as Growing Your Business, Access to Capital, Mining for Customers, Managing an Aerospace Business and Space Commerce in the Future
• Special Speaker Series – Delivered by industry experts; lectures are available through online subscription and target specific topics such as Unmanned Aerial Systems, Additive Manufacturing, Space Law, Cybersecurity, Intellectual Property in the Aerospace Industry and many more
• In-Person Space Commerce Training Workshops – These one-day, in-person workshops will cover the business of space commerce in greater detail through expert speakers and interactive exercises. Scheduled in Denver, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Houston, Daytona Beach, and Washington D.C.
• Networking Opportunities with Industry Leaders – The Space Foundation will provide minority businesses with direct introductions to industry leaders, special networking opportunities, and corporate exposure at the 35^th annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Space Scholarship Program

In an effort to promote networking opportunities with industry leaders, The Space Foundation will award 20 scholarships to the annual Space Symposium that will be held April 8-11, 2019 at the Broadmoor Hotel, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Space Symposium is the largest single event within the space community and brings together leaders from the civil, commercial, national security space community, and government officials. The Space Symposium is widely regarded as the most important annual forum for the discussion of space policy and programs. It is also an excellent opportunity for business promotion and networking, hosting companies from all sectors of the space commerce industry, to include local, national, and international trade professionals.

Details to apply for the scholarship can be found below or on our website.

** For more information visit: https://www.spacefoundation.org/what-we-do/space-commerce-partners

The Space Commerce Scholarship Application / Selection Process

The Space Foundation will select 20 minority-owned business to receive a scholarship to attend the 35^th Space Symposium, April 8-11, 2019 at the Broadmoor Hotel, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Scholarship Includes:

• Complimentary registration for the 35^th Space Symposium (April 8-11, 2019)
• Complimentary access to Space Symposium forums and expo
• Special program and agenda for Space Commerce Participants
• Invitation to corporate networking events

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicant must be an employee of a minority-owned business (one person per company)
• Applicant must have participated in Space Commerce Program, either by downloading and viewing webinars or attending one or more of the on-site, in-person workshops
• NOTE: Employees of Space Foundation Corporate Members are not eligible for participation in the scholarship program

Application requirements:

• Please submit the following:
• Position description describing duties and responsibilities within your company
• Current resume
• Letter(s) of recommendation (optional)
• Provide a list of Space Commerce webinars that you have downloaded
• Provide a list of any on-site workshops that you have attended
• Submit a Statement of Purpose (not to exceed one-page) describing your plan, goals and objectives for attending the Symposium. Please include how you might contribute to the experience of other participants in the Space Commerce Scholarship Program

Application Process:

• Submitted application through Space Foundation Space Commerce Scholarship Website
• Application must be submitted no later than March 11, 2019

Selection:

• Applications to the Space Commerce Scholarship Program will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Extent to which the applicant has participated in the Space Commerce Program
• Potential contributions to participants in the Space Commerce Scholarship Program participants
• Quality of the plan to participate in the Space Symposium
• Level of responsibility in the applicant’s company
• Selection and notification will be made approximately March 15, 2019
• NOTE: Those individuals not selected for the Space Commerce Scholarship Program will be notified and provided an opportunity to attend at discounted rate.

* Minority-Owned Business as defined by MBDA: Businesses owned by African Americans, Asian Americans, Hasidic Jews, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders.