WHAT IS THE MATTHEW ISAKOWITZ FOUNDATION PROGRAMS (MIFP)?
The Matthew Isakowitz Foundation Programs (MIFP) is a non-profit organization honoring the memory of an engineer, entrepreneur, and extraordinary individual whose passion for commercial space exploration led to great strides in the industry and inspired all who knew him. MIFP seeks to instill the next generation with Matthew’s enthusiasm for bettering humankind through space exploration. Programs and initiatives to date include the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program, the Matthew Isakowitz Commercial Space Scholarship, and the Matthew Isakowitz Rising Star Award.
MIFP is run by members of Matthew’s family and volunteer coordinators.
WHAT IS COMMERCIAL SPACE?
Commercial space is broadly defined as activities in entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and innovation that will enable new or dramatically improved products or services that do not depend solely on government cost-plus contracting to prove viable. In its most aspiring terms, commercial space promises to revolutionize the space industry through new business models that will open up the space frontier for all.
WHAT PROGRAMS HAS MIFP CREATED?
MATTHEW ISAKOWITZ FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Launched in 2017, the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program supported the next generation of commercial space industry leaders through internships, mentorship, and networking. Awarded to exceptional college juniors, seniors, and graduate students, the Fellowship included a paid summer internship at a cutting-edge commercial space company, one-on-one executive mentorship from accomplished members of the space community, and a memorable networking summit. The program concluded in 2024 after seven classes, but continues to foster a lifelong community for the 200 Alumni Fellows through networking, advising, events, and reunions. Learn more here.
MATTHEW ISAKOWITZ COMMERCIAL SPACE SCHOLARSHIP
Launched in 2024 in partnership with the Commercial Space Federation, the Matthew Isakowitz Commercial Space Scholarship is an annual scholarship for college students who demonstrate the passion and attributes to shape the future of the growing commercial space industry through space policies, an area that Matthew was instrumental in impacting from its earliest days. Winners receive a $1,000 scholarship award, consideration by CSF and its member companies for a summer internship in the DC area, and unique opportunities to network with industry leaders and major policy makers. Learn more here.
MATTHEW ISAKOWITZ RISING STAR AWARD
Launched in 2024 in partnership with the Commercial Space Federation, the Matthew Isakowitz Rising Star Award recognizes early career individuals with exceptional promise of furthering the commercial space industry and becoming future industry icons. The recipient may have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and innovation through activities such as founding a company, enabling new markets, or driving the next wave of breakthrough technologies or novel applications. The winner will receive the honor at the annual Commercial Space Conference hosted by CSF in Washington DC. Learn more here.
WHO INSPIRED MIFP?
MIFP was created in honor of Matthew Isakowitz (1987–2017), an extraordinary young man whose passion for opening the commercial space frontier was only matched by his kindness and generosity to those around him. Matthew began exercising his passion in high school by serving on the XPRIZE Foundation during the flight of SpaceShipOne, the first privately piloted spacecraft. In college, he worked on NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto at the Applied Physics Lab, human space travel at Space Adventures, and the Dragon capsule at SpaceX. His career took flight as Associate Director of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation from 2009–2012, an organization that contributed to the transformation of commercial space pioneers—such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic—into the notable players they are today. Afterwards, Matthew continued to push humanity’s frontiers as an entrepreneur and engineer at Planetary Resources and Astranis. Matthew attended Princeton University, where he was granted early acceptance to Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He also earned a Masters Degree in International Science and Technology Policy from George Washington University.
Matthew’s passion for commercial space exploration left a lasting impact on the space community. Explore our “Tributes” page for some of the ways that his legacy has been celebrated.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT MIFP?
You can make a tax-deductible financial contribution to support the activities of the Matthew Isakowitz Foundation Programs. Please click here to donate.
For further questions, please email mifpteam@matthewisakowitzfoundation.org or reach out via the contact form here.