Two Florida Tech students, Carys Daly and Damien Koons, have been awarded the Astronaut Scholarship for 2026. The program, which celebrates the best and brightest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, has grown to award 70 scholarships each year.

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has been supporting students pursuing degrees in STEM fields since 1986. With a total of 992 astronaut scholars, the program has helped guide students in their academic and professional pursuits. John Nicklow, a representative of the foundation, expressed pride in the selection of Florida Tech students, stating that it embodies the shared values between the institution and the scholarship foundation.

Last year’s recipients, Peyton Hay and Sloan Hatter, shared their experiences with the program. Hay, who graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, is attending graduate school in Michigan, while Hatter, who graduated with a degree in computer science and computational mathematics, is working full-time and plans to join the Air Force. Both scholars received a $15,000 scholarship and were paired with a mentor, and they also traveled to the Johnson Space Center and met several astronauts.

The ASF program is meant to help guide students pursuing degrees in STEM fields, and it benefits society as a whole. As Hay stated, ‘It benefits society… everything they’re doing spans from healthcare to space to defense, and it really is beneficial to everyone.’ One of the most notable ASF alumnae is Christina Koch, an Artemis II mission specialist.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.