How to Apply for a VFF Scholarship
Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarships
2026 Deadline: Feb. 1
APPLY ONLINE
VFF Scholarship Application Process
The Vertical Flight Foundation (VFF) scholarships are awarded solely on merit to exceptional college students who demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing engineering careers related to vertical flight technology. Theses scholarships, ranging from $4000 to $6000 (USD), are funded entirely through tax-deductible donations for the Foundation's endowment.
The program is open to full-time students attending a university or college located anywhere in the world and regardless of a student's nationality.
The top-ranked applicant is awarded the prestigious $6,000 Bell Scholarship, funded throguh a dedicated VFF endowment established by Bell. Additionally, the Jing Yen Cost Awareness Scholarship – also valued at $6000 - is awarded to the applicant who who best demonstrates a deep understanding of and commitment to improving the affordability of vertical flight. This award is generously funded by Dr. Jing Yen.
How to Apply
- Review the Eligibility and Application Guidelines thoroughly and completely before applying – this information is also summarized below.
- Preference is that students apply online: the VFF online form usually opens in December and can be accessed via Apply Online link above.
- Or download a PDF copy of the VFF Application and submit to the VFS Coordinator.
Eligibility
To qualify for a VFF scholarship, applicants must mee the following criteria:
- Field of Study: Must be enrolled in a program related to vertical flight engineering or closely related discipline e.g. complex aeronautics or aviation systems. Students pursuing degrees outside traditional vertical flight fields will receive equal consideration if their studies are relevant
- Academic Status
- Must be a full-time student at the time of application (February)
- Must be enrolled in a relevant engineering degree program for a least one academic term following the award, which is presented at the Society's Annual Forum in May.
- High school students are not eligible.
- Award Limits: A student may receive a VFF scholarship once per academic level – once as an Undergraduate, once as a master's student, and once as a doctoral student.
- Jing Yen Cost Awareness Scholarship: To be considered for this special $6000 award, applicants must clearly demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to improving the affordability of vertical flight. This should be addressed in both the applicants personal narrative and resume.
Degree Eligibility
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BS Eligibility
Undergraduate / Bachelor's (BS) Degree Category: to be eligible in this category, applicants must meet the following criteria.
- Currently pursuing an eligible engineering undergraduate degree.
- Must have at least one academica term remaining, in their undergraduate program after the scholarship awards are presented at the Annual forum in May 2026.
- Students graduating with a BS degree in May 2026 are not eligible to apply in the BS category.
- However, seniors graduating in May 2026 who have been accepted into a graduate program (MS or combined MS.PhD) should apply under the Master's (MS) category.
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MS Eligibility
Master of Science (MS) Degree Category: to be eligible in this category, applicants must mee the following criteria.
- Currently enrolled in a qualifying Master of Science (MS) engineering program.
- Must have at least one academic term remaining in their MS program after the scholarship awards are presented at the Annual Forum in May 2026.
- Students enrolled in a combined Masters/PhD program are eligible to apply in the MS category if:
- They have not passed PhD qualifying exams as of the application deadline (February 2026)
- They have not already previously earned an MS degree.
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PhD Eligibility
Doctoral (PhD) Degree Category: to be eligible in this category, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled in a PhD program in an eligible engineering discipline.
- Must either:
- Already hold an MS engineering degree or
- Be enrolled in a combined MS/PhD program and forrmally met doctoral candidancy requirements e.g. passed qualifying or comprehensive exams by the application deadline of February 1.
- Must have at least one academic term remaining in their PhD program, after the scholarships are presented at the Annual Forum in May 2026.
Application Information:
Scholarship Application Requirements: to be considered for review an application must include the following
- Scholarship Application Form
- Personal Narrative
- Resume
- Official University/School Transcript*
- Letter of Recommendation from a Professor*
*Important:
- Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be sent directly from the issuing institution or the recommending professor.
- Transcripts or letters provided by the applicant will not be accepted or reviewed.
See information for each section of the VFF application below: preference is to apply via the Online link above or download the VFF Application Form.
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Application Form
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Narrative
Narrative
Your narrative is a vital part of your application and should provide insight into your passion, goals, and perspective. This is your opportunity to go beyond your résumé and tell your story in your own voice and clearly address the following:
- Do not simply restate your resume or submit a research abstract.
- Your passion for aeronautics, aeronautical engineering, complex aviation systems, and especially vertical flight technology.
- How your academic pursuits and career goals align with and support this passion.
- Your unique perspective, specific interests, and relevant experiences related to key challenges and opportunities within the vertical flight community—such as affordability, innovation, or emerging technologies.
- If you wish to be considered for the $6,000 Jing Yen Cost Awareness Scholarship, your narrative must explicitly demonstrate a strong understanding of the importance of affordability in vertical flight and provide thoughtful insights into how it can be improved.
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Resume
Resume
Applicants must submit a resume and can use any format they prefer.
- Be accurate, concise, include page numbers.
- Submit as a PDF or Word document.
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Transcripts
Transcripts
An official transcript reflecting your most recent academic term is required for your application to be considered. Please follow the instructions below carefully:
- The transcript must include grades from your most recent academic term.
- You may optionally include transcripts from previous academic years, but they are not required.
- The transcript must be sent directly from your university's Office of the Registrar to the VFF Coordinator at (jmgibbs@vtol.org). Any transcripts sent by a student will not be accepted and will not be eligible for review.
- Transcripts may be submitted via mail or through a secure electronic delivery link (preferred).
- Transcripts submitted by the applicant will not be accepted or reviewed.
- If your transcript is not in English, you must submit:
- An official English translation, and
- A signed letter from a professor confirming the accuracy of the translation.
- Received by February 1, 2026.
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Letter of Recommendation
Professor Letter of Recommendation
At least one letter of recommendation is required from a professor who is familiar with your coursework and academic performance. The letter must:
- Be written on official university letterhead.
- Be signed by the professor.
- Be sent directly to the VFF Coordinator at jmgibbs@vtol.org
- Be received no later than February 1, 2026.
- Letters be submitted by the student will not be accepted under any circumstances.
- The professor should include a brief evaluation of how you compare to other students they have taught throughout their career, Refer to the "Faculty/Professor" information below.
Optional Additional Letters:
- You may submit additional letters of recommendation from other professors or individuals outside of academia (e.g., an industry mentor, research advisor, or internship supervisor).
- However, these do not replace the required letter from a professor.
Guidance for Professors: The letter of recommendation is a critical component of the VFF Scholarship selection process and can significantly influence the committee’s decision. To ensure your letter provides meaningful insight into the applicant’s qualifications, please follow the guidelines below:
Professor Content Guidelines:
- You should have direct knowledge of the student’s coursework and academic performance.
- Include a comparative evaluation of the student’s performance relative to all students you have taught over the course of your entire academic career (not just those in a single class or year).
- Clearly indicate where the student ranks—for example, top 5%, 10%, or 25% of students you’ve instructed.
- Highlight any notable qualities, accomplishments, or circumstances that distinguish the student from their peers (e.g., research, leadership, innovation, resilience, or technical skills).
- Be written on official university letterhead.
- Must be signed and sent directly to the VFF Coordinator at jmgibbs@vtol.org by February 1, 2026.
Selection Criteria:
How Your Application Is Evaluated
All applications are reviewed by the VFF Scholarship Committee. Several scholarships are awarded each year by the Vertical Flight Foundation, unless there are no qualified applicants. Scholarship recipients will be notified by the VFF Coordinator in late March/early April.
Your application is evaluated based on:
- 35% Experience: consists of work history, research, paper publications from resume.
- 25% Narrative
- 20% Letters of Recommendation
- 10% Academics
- 10% Extra-curricular activities
