February 26, 2024
Click here to download a PDF version of the press release.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE MATTHEW ISAKOWITZ FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Dedicated to inspiring the next generation of commercial spaceflight leaders, the program celebrates a major milestone of 200 Fellows and announces final class as it looks toward future plans
The Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program (MIFP)—a summer internship, executive mentorship, and networking program supporting the next generation of commercial spaceflight industry leaders—has reached a major milestone and looks toward future plans. After achieving exactly 200 Fellows over 7 years and participating in the industry’s exponential growth, the program announces that the 2024 cohort will be its final class, as Matthew’s family and the rest of the MIFP Team pursue new ideas that further celebrate Matthew’s legacy of inspiring innovation and entrepreneurship in space.
The MIFP Team said, “Our fellowship program has never been stronger, with an amazing and robust number of applicants, highly engaged executive mentors, an enthusiastic list of host companies, and memorable annual summits. As we reach our goal of 200 Fellows and with the maturation of the commercial space market, we feel that the time is right for a change and exploring new opportunities for honoring Matthew’s legacy. We look forward to an incredible experience with our final 2024 class and continuing to actively engage our alumni in a myriad of ways. We express our eternal gratitude to all the participants, executive mentors, companies, and supporters who have made this program a remarkable success in Matthew’s name.”
When MIFP launched in 2018, the commercial space industry was still establishing itself and internship opportunities were often challenging to find. Since then, capital investment has increased many fold and the number of companies has expanded exponentially. New rockets are achieving orbit, astronauts are flying in new private vehicles, and small spacecraft are launching in record numbers. This has created an increase in career opportunities for students interested in demonstrating novel technologies, protecting the environment, connecting the world, and exploring the planets.
During this exciting period of growth for the commercial space industry, the carefully curated MIFP experience has helped launch many more future leaders and innovators into the field. Fellows have gone on to land commercial space jobs, pursue advanced academic degrees, start new companies, work on major space policy, invest in startups, and more. They have also helped further MIFP’s mission by encouraging other students and continually engaging with the program, from reviewing applications to mentoring subsequent Fellows to reaching out to other aspiring space explorers.
The program will continue fostering a lifelong community for the Fellows, a key aspect of the fellowship since its inception, through networking, advising, events, and reunions. Matthew’s story has inspired 200 new storylines that will multiply into many more for years to come, and the MIFP Team looks forward to sharing new efforts in the near future.
ABOUT THE MATTHEW ISAKOWITZ FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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. The Program seeks to instill that same enthusiasm into the next generation of commercial spaceflight leaders by providing impactful career training to those who embody Matthew's drive for exploring our universe to help better humankind. Learn more at matthewisakowitzfellowship.org and on social media (@mattfellowship). Ad Astra.
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Media Inquiries: mifpteam@matthewfellowship.org