IEEE AESS Engineering Scholarship

Graduate Student: Single Annual Scholarship  - One Annual Scholarship of $10,000 and a certificate.
Undergraduate Students: Two Annual Scholarships of $10,000 and a certificate.

Funds will be paid to the school on behalf of the student.

Funded by the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society.

The award will be presented at a conference sponsored by the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society.

Evaluations will be based on the application and stated financial need. The application shall include an essay on why these fields of study are important and how the applicant could have impact in these fields. At least 3 letters of recommendation shall be provided, two of which shall be from current or former university professors who taught the applicant or know him or her personally.

If you are considering applying for the IEEE AESS Scholarship, the following guidance may help you strengthen your application. While each committee may emphasize slightly different elements, these points reflect common expectations and priorities:

Essay Writing

• Share your story with clarity and authenticity, using specific examples rather than broad statements.
• Show how your goals align with AESS values, including advancing aerospace and electronic systems engineering, innovation, and service to society.
• Highlight your academic and career aspirations, how your background has shaped your interest in the field, and the broader societal impact you hope to make.

Financial Need Statement

• Briefly explain your financial circumstances, such as tuition, study resources, or living expenses.
• Emphasize how the scholarship would directly enable you to pursue your studies or projects.
• Keep the tone professional and sincere, and avoid overly emotional appeals.

Application Strengths

• Demonstrate both academic excellence and potential for future impact.
• Highlight achievements such as coursework, research projects, leadership experiences, and your long-term vision for your career.

Reference Letters

• At least two references must come from professors who know you personally or have taught you.
• Encourage your referees to provide specific examples and personal observations about your abilities and potential, rather than general praise.

This guidance is designed to help you present a clear, authentic, and compelling application that shows both your achievements and your future promise.

AESS Student Members studying electrical engineering at the undergraduate level and either systems engineering or electrical engineering at the graduate level from an accredited university, and a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 (out of 4) or above, or equivalent measure of academic performance where GPA is not utilized.

Individuals serving on any board or committee involved at any stage of the recipient selection or approval process for this award shall be ineligible to receive, or act as a nominator or reference for this award. No AES Board member/officer or member of the selection committee shall be able to nominate. An immediate family member of the AESS Board/officer or member of the selection committee is not eligible for this award.

There is no minimum number of years for membership required.

Eligibility and Selection process shall comply with procedures and regulation established in IEEE and Society/Council governing documents, particularly with IEEE Policy 4.4 on Awards Limitations.  

Previous award winners are not eligible for substantially the same achievements (per IEEE Policies 4.4: An individual shall receive only one award for a given achievement, unless the significance merits a higher award, which may be given in the following year or thereafter.) 

An individual may serve as a nominator or reference for only one candidate for the AESS Engineering Scholarships in the year of consideration. If the individual serves in either role for two candidates, the nomination and reference(s) will be removed from consideration. Self nomination is permitted.

Nominations should comply with IEEE Policies and restrictions on awards. Incidents of misconduct including, but not limited to, violations of IEEE's publication policies, will be strongly considered by the awards committee and may be grounds for denial of an award or leadership position.

For questions, please contact the VP Education.