Donations

Donate to the General Fund of theNational Association of Rocketry.

The Jay Apt Endowed Scholarship was cre­ated in 2021 by Dr. Jay Apt, seniors and college freshmen planning to study science or engineering at a college or vocational school who apply for the NAR Scholarship are automatically consid­ered for this $2,000 scholarship. Recipients of the Jay Apt Scholarship may not receive a NAR Scholarship in the same year but are welcome to apply for the NAR Scholarship in following years.

The Trip & Tina Barber Endowed Scholarship was cre­ated by this long-time NAR couple in 2025 to demonstrate their commitment to helping young people take the path to an aerospace career. High school seniors and undergraduate college students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering (or mechanical engineering in colleges without a separate aerospace program) who apply for the NAR Scholarship will be automatically consid­ered for this $3,000 scholarship. Recipients may not also receive an NAR Scholarship in the same year but are welcome to apply for the NAR Scholarships in following years and will be considered for re-award of this endowed scholarship as part of that.

The NAR is proud to be able to carry on the work of Bob Cannon, who spent many years at Estes Industries contacting thousands of educators across the nation and introducing them to the exciting world of model rocketry. Teachers are an extension of that work—sparking the imagination of youth who will become our next generation of scientists, engineers, astronauts, and informed citizens. We encourage you to partner with your local NAR section for additional support. The NAR awards grants to educators who have an established model rocketry program in their classroom. Below are some tips that can help your school compete successfully to receive a $500 grant for using rocketry as an educational tool.

The number of awards will be determined annually by the Board of Trustees. Awards will be announced and presented at the national meet (NARAM) in late July/early August each year. You do not have to be present at NARAM to receive an award.

In 2018, the Estes family announced the Gleda M. Estes Scholarship for the Advancement of Young Women in STEM. High school seniors and college freshmen majoring in STEM fields are eligible to apply for this $3,000 scholarship. Recipients of the Estes Scholarship may not receive a NAR Scholarship in the same year but are welcome to apply for the NAR Scholarship in following years. A separate application is required for the Estes Scholarship.

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In 2026, the NAR announced the Ed and Diane Pearson Scholarship, a $2,500 award for a student majoring in a non-STEM field. Mr. Pearson kindly gave the NAR permission to name a scholarship after him and his late wife.Ed is a 60+ year member of the NAR and a recipient of the G. Harry Stine Lifetime Achievement Award. Diane was an exhibit coordinator for the National Air and Space Museum until her retirement. Their decades of support of young people in rocketry make them a fitting namesake for a scholarship.

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In 2015, the NAR Extracurricular Activity Grant (EAG) was initiated to provide up to ten $500 grants for after-school activities, such as rocket clubs, Scout, Civil Air Patrol, 4-H, or NAR section programs involving model rocketry. TARC and SLI teams are not eligible for these grants.