Scholars

  Nominee must be a past ASF Astronaut Scholar recipient. Individuals who are currently receiving the Astronaut Scholarship are not eligible for nomination.

  Nominee must be a U.S. citizen.

  The achievement, product, technology, service, or body of work cited for the award has been widely recognized by others (company, industry, associations, etc.).

  Scholar alumni are eligible for the Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence immediately upon completion of their tenure as a scholarship recipient.

  Previous recipients of the Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence are not eligible for nomination.

  Recipients may be working in any STEM field, as defined in the document, Eligible Major Fields of Study and Work for Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Programs.

  The accomplishment(s) cited for the award may be primarily technical in nature or may be technically-related business accomplishment(s) in which the business accomplishment(s) resulted
from technical innovation that is either fully, or in part, attributed to the nominee.  Technical and technically-related business accomplishment(s), as defined in this paragraph, shall be equally
eligible for recognition.

  There shall be no bias in the nomination or selection process toward any particular industry.

All applications with completed documentation are due March 31, 2023 by 11:59 PM.

  Applicants must offer evidence of significant accomplishments in a STEM field.

  Applicants must embrace and demonstrate a philosophy that fosters teamwork and promotes ingenuity.

  Applicants must meet the criteria as described in the categories below:

Character
Applicant should possess traits such as integrity, perseverance, critical thinking, intellectual daring, and a passion for exploration. The nominee will have clearly demonstrated a commitment to the pursuit of excellence.

Achievement
The award will recognize any outstanding accomplishments in STEM fields, including scientific discovery, the development of creative technologies, new and advanced processes and systems, significant patent applications, novel prototypes, and other innovative contributions.

Impact
The nominee’s achievements should have a demonstrable impact on society through their effect on science, technology, industry, global leadership, or the inspiration of future generations.

All eligible applications will be reviewed by the judging committee and the winner will be selected for the Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence by mid-June 2023. All nominees will be notified and invited to attend the Innovators Gala in Orlando, FL on August 19, 2023. The recipient of the Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence will be awarded during the gala celebration.