Patti Grace Smith Fellowship 2027 in Aerospace
Applications are open for the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship Class of 2027. This program celebrates Black Excellence within the aerospace industry specifically. It targets talented undergraduates who haven’t yet entered aerospace careers. Fields include engineering, science, business, policy, and journalism broadly. Named after aviation trailblazer Patti Grace Smith, the program opens meaningful doors. The application window runs from August 18 through October 4, 2026.
Program Snapshot
- Host Organization: Patti Grace Smith Fellowship
- Format: Paid summer internship, roughly twelve weeks
- Cash Grant: $2,500 or more per fellow
- Mentorship: Two mentors per fellow, at different career stages
- Application Deadline: October 4, 2026, 11:59:59 PM ET
Focus Areas
- Aerospace engineering and science
- Business, policy, and government affairs
- Journalism and communications within aerospace
- Any discipline connecting to aviation or space industries
About the Fellowship
This program connects talented students with leading aerospace companies nationwide. Fellows earn competitively sourced summer internships at major aerospace employers. These include established companies, startups, government labs, and universities. Throughout their internship, fellows receive a genuine living wage consistently.
Beyond the internship, fellows join a tight-knit community of Black aerospace professionals. This creates lasting relationships extending well beyond the summer program itself.
What Fellows Receive
Fellows are carefully matched with employers based on their specific interests. This matching process considers company culture, career pathways, and role specifics. Each fellow also receives a cash grant supporting tuition or other expenses. Personalized mentorship pairs fellows with both senior and early-career professionals.
Additionally, fellows attend a four-day leadership summit building community and skills. This creates comprehensive support extending far beyond the internship placement alone.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must currently attend a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree program. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, nationals, refugees, and asylees may apply. Candidates should not yet hold aerospace industry work experience. Exceptions exist for military service or unrelated prior aerospace roles. Strong moral character and community commitment matter significantly throughout selection.
Required Materials
Applicants submit a one-page resume and current academic transcript. Two letters of recommendation address both skill and character separately. Additionally, applicants complete two required essays plus one flexible creative submission. These include a written essay, a multimedia piece, and a final response. Specific file-naming conventions must be followed precisely throughout submission.
How to Apply
Complete your application through the official SurveyMonkey Apply portal.
Click Here to Apply
Conclusion
This fellowship offers a genuinely transformative entry point into aerospace careers for talented Black undergraduates facing systemic barriers to industry access. Its combination of paid work, mentorship, and community support addresses gaps that traditional recruiting pipelines often overlook. Given the multi-part creative application requirements, prospective applicants should begin drafting essays and securing recommendation letters well before the October 4 deadline.
