The Secure World Foundation (SWF) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Dr. Michael Simpson Scholarship Fund, which supports young professionals attending the International Astronautical Congress (IAC).

The 76th IAC will take place from September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. This scholarship provides financial assistance to space professionals under the age of 35 who have had an abstract accepted for presentation. Since the fund’s inception, SWF has reviewed more than 400 applications and awarded over 60 scholarships to participants from 28 countries.

Scholarships are awarded in $500 increments, up to a maximum of $1,500, and may be used to offset travel-related expenses, including airfare, lodging, and registration.

Winners will be contacted in mid-July and announced in August.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be under the age of 35,
• Have an accepted abstract for IAC 2025,
• Have not previously received a Simpson Scholarship, and
• Submit an application by the deadline: Monday, June 16, 2025, at 8:00 AM EDT

The proposed paper must relate to one of SWF’s focus areas:

• Space Sustainability
• Space Law and Policy
• Human and Environmental Security

Applicants are required to submit a short essay (max 500 words) explaining the importance of their research and what they hope to gain from participating in the IAC.

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Apply Now.