2009 Youth Grants

In October 2008 the member organisations of the International Astronautical Federation approved a new initiative to actively engage, inspire and support the next generation of students and young professionals to prepare them to be the future leaders of the international space community.

As part of this initiative the IAF has begun a new programme to provide grants that enable students and young space professionals to participate in IAF activities, in particular the International Astronautical Congress. The initiative also envisions the creation of several new awards that recognise achievement by young people in the pursuit and promotion of global space activities.

The IAF member organisations also decided to create mechanisms in Europe, the U.S. and other countries, to provide on-going financial support for these activities. The first step in this initiative involves the selection of up to ten young people whose participation in the 2009 International Astronautical Congress (IAC) will be supported by the IAF.

IAC 2009 Grants Programme

The IAC 2009 Youth Grants Programme is open to individuals between the ages of 21 and 33 on 1 January 2009. Candidates may apply regardless of their home country or current residence. While all applications will be considered the IAF through this programme seeks to encourage applications from candidates in nations with emerging space capabilities and interests who would otherwise not be able to attend an International Astronautical Congress. 

The young people selected will participate in the 60th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) scheduled to take place in Daejeon, Republic of Korea from 12 to 16 October. The individuals selected will also be given the opportunity to participate in other activities held just before and during the Congress.

 

Who should consider applying?

• Individuals interested in pursuing careers involving the development, application and use of space systems, space science research, the policy, legal, social and cultural aspects of space activities, international cooperation on space programs and other similar subjects.
• Persons who - for financial, sponsorship or other reasons - would not otherwise be able to attend an International Astronautical Congress.
• Young people who wish to meet and interact with other colleagues from around the world with similar interests.
• Individuals who hope to utilise the knowledge and experiences they gain during the IAC in their own careers and in enhancing space and related activities in their home countries.

Basic support

Grant awardees will be provided:

• Round trip air fare between the candidate's home country and the Republic of Korea.
• Support (in kind-services or funding) for local transportation, lodging and meals during the candidate's stay in Daejeon, Korea.
• Assistance with visa arrangements provided by the IAC Local Organising Committee and the Government of the Republic of Korea.
• Registration in the 60th International Astronautical Congress as well as the Space Generation Congress (8-10 October) and the 2009 UN/IAF Workshop on Integrated Space Technologies and Space-based information for Analysis and Prediction of Climate Change (9-11 October).
• Assignment of an experienced volunteer "mentor" to provide advice on Congress activities before the IAC, to meet with the grant recipient during the IAC and to follow the recipient's career and activities upon returning to his/her home country. A student or young professional advisor with previous IAC experience and planning to attend the 60th IAC will also be assigned to help each grant recipient benefit fully from the Congress and related meetings.

IAC activities

During the IAC grant recipients will:

• Participate (if desired) in the Space Generation Congress and the 2009 UN/IAF Workshop held just before the Congress.
• Meet with the IAF-assigned mentor and student/young professional advisor.
• Be eligible to present at least one paper (orally or in interactive/poster format) and to participate in Congress technical sessions, Plenary Events and other activities.
• Receive invitations to participate in the activities of the IAC Student Programme (organised by the International Space Education Board) and the IAF Young Professional Programme both of which are conducted during the Congress.
• Be given special recognition including participation in a special luncheon with the IAF President, Past President, Vice President for Youth Activities, Student and Young Professional Committee Chairs and other IAF officials.

Post-IAC activities

Following their participation in the IAC, grant recipients will:

• Complete an evaluation of the 2009 programme (due no later than 15 November 2009)
• Report on follow up activities in home country (due no later than 15 January 2010)
• Be eligible to maintain participation in IAF student and young professional activities through IAF website and related programmes.

Application requirements

• A completed, signed application that contains information about the candidate's personal background, education, employment experience and that certifies that the candidate is not eligible for other funding support to participate in the IAC.
• An "endorsement" by at least one organisation (the candidate's university, employer, an interested government agency, space or science society or similar organisation).
• Two recommendations from officials or other individuals in the candidate's home country who are familiar with the candidate and who have reviewed his/her application.
• An essay (of no more than four typewritten pages) that discusses:
  • The potential relevance of the IAC experience to the candidate's interests/plans
  • What the candidate hopes to learn from/achieve during the IAC experience
  • What the candidate intends to do with the experience upon his/her return home, including an effort to share what has been learned
  • An abstract submitted on the IAF web site for a paper that the candidate intends to present - either orally in a technical session or as an "interactive" (poster) paper - during the IAC. Candidates who have already submitted an abstract for the 60th IAC should note this on their application.

Candidates may also submit a separate application by 24 April to make a brief oral presentation during a special Youth Plenary Session that the IAF will organise on Monday 12 October 2009. Participation in this special Plenary Session could be in lieu of or in addition to the presentation of a paper during the IAC. Please contact youthplenary@iafastro.org for details on the application process.

Forms

Please click here to access the abstract form (Word format)

Please click here to access the application form (Word format)

Please click here to access the endorsement form (Word format)

Please click here to access the essay form (Word format)

Please click here to access the reference letter form (Word format)

Application submissions

Applications should be sent to the IAF Secretariat. We strongly prefer e-mail. Please send to:

youthgrants@iafastro.org (Subject: IAC 2009 Youth Grant Programme)

Completed application forms, along with all supporting documents (endorsement, recommendations, essay and abstract) must be received in the IAF Secretariat no later than 1 June 2009. 

Please note that the 1 June deadline is the date by which we should receive applications. If sending by other means than email, please note that applications received after this time will not be considered for the 2009 IAC Youth Grant programme.

Selection criteria

The Youth Grants Selection Committee (consisting of experienced IAF volunteers) will carefully review all applications and recommend individuals taking into account the following criteria:

• Candidate qualifications (educational and professional experience)
• Endorsement and Recommendation letters
• Substantive content of the candidate's essay and abstract
• The candidate's potential to impact positively space activities in his/her home country

The Selection Committee will also take into account geographical considerations with special attention to increasing participation from regions that are less active in space and/or less involved in IAF activities. 

The Selection Committee will recommend and the IAF's Youth Grant Programme Steering Committee (consisting of the IAF Past President, Vice President for Youth Activities, Space Education and Outreach Committee Chair and Workforce Development and Young Professional Committee Chair) will select up to ten award recipients.

Selection schedule

• Announcement, application form and related documents are posted on the IAF web site: 1 April 2009
• Completed applications and related documentation must be submitted to the IAF Secretariat no later than 1 June 2009
• Grant recipients will be notified on 15 July 2009. Selections will also be announced publicly on the IAF web site the same day.

Questions

Applicant questions and requests for additional information/clarifications should be addressed to:

Ms Fathia Malouche
IAC Youth Grants Programme Coordinator
IAF Secretariat
94 bis Avenue de Suffren
75015 Paris
FRANCE

E-mail: youthgrants@iafastro.org
Telephone: +33 1 45 67 42 60