Education Fund 2025
In 2025, the Andy Thomas Space Foundation is proud to offer innovative and immersive prizes and award programs. These opportunities will enable students and researchers of all ages to engage with Australian and international space industry experts, promoting the growth and capability of Australia's future workforce.
Kids In Space National Challenge
Mission Status: Launched!
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation is proud to announce the third year of the pioneering Kids In Space Program will be even bigger. This Australian-first program, delivered by Makers Empire, impacted over 14,000 primary and middle school students, hundreds of teachers and 116 schools in every state and territory in 2024, and was co-sponsored by the Australian Space Agency.
With over 700 expressions of interest nationally, 2025 will see the program expand, thanks to the addition of new sponsors and partners including iLAuNCH Trailblazer and Toyota Foundation Australia.
For more information, click here.
Aurora Program: Inclusion Initiative
Mission Status: Pre-Mission Briefing
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation in partnership with the Maras Foundation are proud to launch the 4th Aurora Mission in 2025. Eight Schools from across South Australia will participate in the Inclusion Initiative which has been designed specifically to promote and encourage students and young people living with a disability to find inspiration in space.
Delivered by Adelaide-based technology company, Makers Empire, each school will receive a free 3D printer, customised in school workshop for students and teachers and access to a space-themed version of their 3D design curriculum to take their learning out of this world. The program will culminate in showcases of student work at the Australian Space Discovery Centre.
Mars Program: The Andy Thomas Space Foundation School Challenge
Mission Status: Applications Opening Soon
Applications open to Secondary Schools (Years 7, 8, 9 or 10)
Ten prizes valued at $4000 each. Coordinated by Hamilton Secondary College, South Australian schools (years 7, 8, 9 or 10) will be invited to conduct projects linked to space technology and the Buzz Aldrin Foundation ‘Giant Mars Map’, stimulating student interest in space. These projects are supported by presentations and advice from space industry experts. Prizes will also include school visits to the Australian Space Discovery Centre at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide.
Venus Program: The Andy Thomas Space Foundation and Playford Trust Undergraduate Scholarships
Mission Status: Pre-Mission Briefing
Applications open to Year 12 students
Available for year 12 graduate students and jointly funded by the Playford Trust Foundation, the Andy Thomas Space Foundation, The University of Adelaide and University of South Australia, these scholarships will be awarded to high-achieving school leavers enrolling to study space-related disciplines at university in 2026.
Applications Launching late 2025
Applications Launching late 2025
Earth Program: The Andy Thomas Space Foundation Undergraduate Internship Prizes
Mission Status: Pre-Mission Briefing
Applications open to Undergraduate students
Awards valued at $2,500 each. Funded by the Andy Thomas Space Foundation, these prizes are available to undergraduate university students selected to undertake a 6-week internship opportunity with an Australian space company arranged by The Andy Thomas Space Foundation.
Neptune Program: The Andy Thomas Space Foundation Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program Scholarship
Mission Status: Pre-Mission Briefing
Applications open to Graduates and Senior Undergraduates
One full scholarship valued up to $17,000. For graduates and senior undergraduates who are Australian citizens or permanent Australian residents wishing to attend the five-week, inter-disciplinary International Space University/ University of South Australia Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP) in January/ February 2026.
Uranus Program: The Andy Thomas Space Foundation Graduate Scholarships in Space
Mission Status: Pre-Mission Briefing
Applications open to Postgraduate students
Three scholarships valued at $10,000 each. Available for post-graduate students. These scholarships are available for Australian citizens and permanent residents commencing an honours or masters program at an Australian university in a space-related field of research.
Applications Closed - Successful Candidates to be announced shortly
Applications Closed - Successful Candidates to be announced shortly
More programs launching soon ! 🚀
Past and Current Education Fund Sponsors
Founding Partners
Constellation Sponsors
Planetary Sponsors
SME Sponsors
Start-Up Sponsors
‘Quod Invenias Explorans Spatium Progressus Est Humanitatis’.
Human progress is in space exploration