Space Leader Fellowship Application Period Open

Applications for the 2023 James A. Abrahamson Space Leader Fellowship will continue to be accepted through Friday, August 25. This 12-month advanced learning fellowship is meant to expose undergraduate and early-stage graduate students to the burgeoning space community and promote workforce development. The fellowship specifically seeks U.S. citizens or permanent residents from underrepresented communities, with the goal of ensuring that opportunities within the space industry are available to everyone.

“It is a great honor to be linked to such an important fellowship.”

Lt. Gen. James A. Abrahamson (USAF Ret.)

Participation in the fellowship program will allow fellows to develop skills and knowledge to position themselves for future space-related careers. Throughout the program, fellows will work with both an ISS National Lab mentor and a subject matter expert in a field relevant to their major area of study and aerospace career interest. Fellows will also have an opportunity to network with ISS National Lab stakeholders.

The fellowship is named after Lt. Gen. James A. Abrahamson (USAF Ret.), who is widely regarded as one of the more distinguished and decorated military program leaders of the 20th century. Lt. Gen. Abrahamson began his military career as a fighter pilot in Vietnam and was ultimately selected for the Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory program (later canceled). After his time as a pilot and astronaut candidate, Lt. Gen. Abrahamson ascended to multiple essential Air Force and NASA staff positions, including his assignment as NASA’s Associate Administrator for Space Flight. Additionally, in 1984, upon President Reagan’s request, Lt. Gen. Abrahamson served as the first director for the Strategic Defense Initiative (the “Star Wars Program”) until he retired from service in 1989. Since his retirement, Lt. Gen. Abrahamson has kept active, maintaining leadership positions within various aviation industry companies, and serving as the chair of the board of directors and interim executive director for CASIS, manager of the ISS National Lab. For his efforts in promoting NASA’s goal of commercialization of space, Lt. Gen. Abrahamson was awarded the NASA Exceptional Public Achievement Medal.

“It is a great honor to be linked to such an important fellowship,” said Lt. Gen. James A. Abrahamson (USAF Ret.). “Now more than ever, it is critical to prepare the next generation of researchers and leaders for important roles in the thriving aerospace industry. Through this fellowship, we will introduce students to the opportunities available through the ISS National Laboratory and provide them with the tools they need to succeed as we drive new markets in low Earth orbit and beyond.”

Opportunities for Space Leader Fellowship Winners

Participation in the James A. Abrahamson Space Leader Fellowship program will enable fellows to pursue their career interests through lasting networking opportunities with government, academic, and commercial partners. Furthermore, the fellowship will prepare fellows to:

• Communicate the value of scientific discovery and technological innovation in space

• Understand the importance of U.S. leadership in commercial space

• Gain techniques and insight to inspire the next generation through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)

“This fellowship has been a great opportunity for me,” said Taylor Peterson, one of the 2022 fellowship recipients. “It has helped me gain experience with the research I want to get into, which ultimately helped me earn a spot in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Everyone at the ISS National Lab has been so nice and supportive of us, and I really enjoyed my time as a fellow.”

The International Space Station National Laboratory would like to thank the 2022 Fellows Harsimran Kalsi, Caitlin O’Brien, and Taylor Peterson for their outstanding work during their 12-month fellowship.

(Source: ISS National Laboratory news release. Images from file)