The Andy Thomas Space Foundation

The Andy Thomas Space Foundation Neptune Program Scholarship

The Michael Davis Space Leader Scholarship 

The scholarships

The Andy Thomas Space Foundation, Australia’s leading space education and outreach charity, will fund two partial scholarships for participation in the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP) in 2026. 

The International Space University and Adelaide University thank the Andy Thomas Space Foundation for its continuing support of the program. 

Further information about the SHSSP can be found here: https://adelaideuni.edu.au/study/southern-hemisphere-space-studies-program/

The scholarship benefits

The two scholarships will cover $9,000 per recipient to support their attendance at SHSSP26 from 12 January – 6 February 2026.

Scholarship awardees will be required to pay a co-contribution fee of $3,000 for their attendance at SHSSP26.

Scholarship applications will be evaluated by a Selection Committee according to the criteria listed below.  The scholarships will be awarded to the applicant whose application best addresses the selection criteria. 

Who is eligible to apply?

These scholarships will support SHSSP26 participants who are university graduates and undergraduate students who have successfully completed at least two years of their studies at the time of SHSSP26 and meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Australian citizens and permanent residents
  • Currently meet the entry criteria of the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program.
  • Do not have financial support to attend the program from their employer or other sponsor

Particular consideration will be given to applicants who are: 

  • Female
  • An Australian Indigenous background
  • From rural or regional areas

Selection criteria

The Selection Committee will select the scholarship awardees, taking into account:

  • the applicant's motivation to forge a career in a space-related field in Australia
  • the applicant’s leadership and demonstrated commitments to space and/or community
  • the applicant's academic performance and/or qualifications; and
  • the applicant's financial circumstances

Documentation required

Applicants are required to submit a scholarship application form (link to form available below) along with their program application and supporting documents to  www.isunet.edu/apply-shssp/

All applications will be assessed on the basis of the information and supporting documents lodged as part of the program application process.

Andy Thomas Space Foundation SHSSP Scholarship Application Form

Conditions of award of scholarship

The scholarship awardees agree to paying an individual $3,000 co-contribution fee for their attendance at the SHSSP26.

The scholarship awardees agree to submit a 500-word written report to the Foundation at the conclusion of the SHSSP describing the program and how they believe the SHSSP will help them in their future careers in the space sector or a related high-tech sector in Australia.

The scholarship awardees agree to assist the Foundation and the program organisers in the promotion of the program and other space education related activities, including contributing to interviews, testimonials, delivering presentations, media, and social media activities, if requested.

Publicity

The Foundation reserves the right to publish information about successful applicants as set out in the winner’s enrolment documents. The Awardees will need to provide a headshot and a 100-word biography for inclusion.

Deadline for applications

17 November 2025.

Notification

The awardees of the scholarship will be notified no later than early December 2025.

 

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