Matthew Isakowitz Commercial Space Scholarship 

Apply for the Class of 2027 HERE

Applications are due on November 6, 2026 at 11:59pm ET

Program Overview

Presented by the Commercial Space Federation (CSF) in partnership with the Matthew Isakowitz Foundation Programs, the Matthew Isakowitz Commercial Space Scholarship (MCSS) 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.

Recipients receive consideration by CSF and its member companies for a summer internship in the Washington DC area, and unique opportunities to network with industry leaders, major policy makers, and the Matthew Isakowitz Foundation Alumni Network.

Eligible students include incoming or continuing graduate students at the time of application. To apply, applicants must submit a resume, unofficial transcript(s), and three short essays. Two interviews are required of semi-finalists, with a select number chosen as winners. Summer 2027 applications are due November 6, 2026 at 11:59pm ET. Further details can be found in the FAQ below.

Confirmed hosts for the 2027 application cycle include (but may not be limited to):
Commercial Space Federation
SpaceX
Blue Origin
Rocket Lab
CesiumAstro
The Aerospace Corporation
Planet Labs
Renaissance Strategic Partners
True Anomaly
Katalyst Space

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Matthew Isakowitz demonstrated that studying, understanding, and working in space policy can bring greater impact to any work in commercial space, from engineering to program management and beyond. For students with a career interest in commercial space, the MCSS program seeks to empower you with this knowledge of space policy as a complement to your journey so you can follow Matthew’s example of kindness, generosity, and bringing a deliberately well-rounded perspective to your work. Ad Astra!

The Scholars are listed below with their current school and host company.  

(Previous Colleges in parentheses).

Read the Class of 2026 Press Release HERE

Class of 2026

2026 Host Companies

Class of 2025

2025 Host Companies

FAQ

Who is eligible to apply?

The short answer is: anyone who a) is a US Person, b) is currently pursuing masters or doctoral degree as of December 2026, and c) is interested in pursuing a career in the commercial space industry is eligible to be selected for our Class of 2027.

To give yourself the best odds of succeeding in your application, you should have the intention of pursuing a full-time career in the commercial space industry – however, as stated above, you can be enrolled in any major or concentration.

If you anticipate receiving your bachelors degree in the time period between submitting this application and the beginning of the summer (ie. incoming graduate student), you are still eligible.

What is a “US Person?”

Due to ITAR regulations governing our host companies, the MCSS program is open to individuals who meet the definition of US Persons (US citizen, permanent resident, asylee, or refugee).

Per ITAR regulations: U.S. Person - a natural person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). It also means any corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, or any other entity, organization or group that is incorporated to do business in the U.S. It also includes any governmental (federal, state or local) entity. Typically this includes U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders), or protected individuals such as refugees or asylees.

How many scholars will be chosen?

Number of scholars may vary year to year. The first two MCSS classes of Scholars included 10-12 students.

How do I apply?

Please click the “Apply Here” button on the scholarship page of the website to be directed to the application! You will need your resume, unofficial transcript(s), and three short essays uploaded as a single PDF:

Essay Question 1: Why You (400-500 words)

MCSS is a highly competitive program. Why should you be selected? Focus on reasons that aren't obvious from your resume. Share your top three, each backed by a specific example, such as a relevant accomplishment or something you learned from a setback. General statements of interest in commercial space are not what the review team is looking for here.  

Essay Question 2: Policy Memo / Investment Thesis (400-600 words)

Write a short memo on a commercial space topic or company of your choice, using one of the two formats below.

Option A: Policy Memo. Address the memo to a specific decision-maker, such as an FCC Commissioner, a congressional committee staffer, or a company's head of government affairs. Identify a policy issue, explain why it matters now, lay out the options, and make a clear recommendation.

Option B: Investment Thesis. Address the memo to an investment committee. Choose a commercial space company, public or private, or a market segment. Make the case for or against investing, covering the opportunity, the key risks (including regulatory and policy risk), and your recommendation.

In either format, lead with your bottom line, support it with specific evidence, and cut anything that isn't doing work. Reviewers are looking for novel ideas, clear thinking, and tight writing, not length. Sources may be listed at the end and do not count toward the word limit.

Essay Question 3: Supplement (250-300 words)

What should the review team understand about you that the rest of your application doesn't capture? This is the place for context, such as a nontraditional path into commercial space, a gap or change in direction, circumstances behind your academic record, or responsibilities outside school. Please don't repeat what you covered in Essay 1.

(OPTIONAL) Essay Question 4: Recent Growth (250-300 words)

If you've applied to an Isakowitz program before, tell us what you've been up to since then, how you've grown personally and professionally, and how your goals have shifted since your most recent application.  

What is the selection process?

Every complete application received by the deadline will be thoroughly reviewed by multiple members of our Selection Committee. All applicants will be assessed based on their subject matter knowledge, their experience to date, their diversity of interests/education/experience/background, their academic record – and all of the other character strengths demonstrated by our program’s namesake, Matthew Isakowitz. The most highly qualified candidates will be selected for a telephone interview with a member of our Selection Committee. These phone interviews will be conducted in December 2026.

When all telephone interviews are completed, we will select our finalists and make our preliminary matches between candidates and Hosts. This match process will incorporate each applicant’s background and interests – but will also incorporate similar input from our Host companies as well as our Selection Committee’s expert knowledge. Finalists will be notified that they have advanced and will be paired with their potential Host(s) in mid-December.

In late December to Early January, Hosts will conduct technical telephone interviews with finalists. Each Host company will have its own interview process – some will require one interview, some multiple interviews, and some may desire a work sample. After that interview window closes, each Host is asked to submit feedback and rankings for each Finalist they have been matched with.

By the end of January 2027, our Selection Committee will make our final selections for the Class of 2027.

Do you offer the scholarship program during the Fall and Spring semesters?

No. For now, at least, all of our Scholars work at their Host Institution during the summer. However, this is subject to change in the future based on interest and host availability.

Additional questions?

Reach out to us at mifpteam@matthewisakowitzfoundation.org!