2026 Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence Nomination

2026 Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence

The Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence is awarded annually to an Astronaut Scholar Alum. This award serves as a prestigious recognition for those who continually push the boundaries in their fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The awarded Astronaut Scholar Alum exemplifies personal character and professional achievement, mirroring the core values of its namesake, Neil Armstrong.

Award Overview, Eligibility, and Criteria
Nominee Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Date of Birth

MonthDayYear
Date
Scholarship Award University*
Astronaut Scholar Year(s)*
Nominee Phone Number*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Nominee Email Address*
example@example.com
Nominee Mailing Address *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Nomination
The Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence nomination consists of three parts -
1. Character, Achievement, Impact Statements
2. Nominee Personal Statement
3. Nominee CV/Resume
Character, Achievement, Impact Statements should:
- Character - describe the nominee's traits such as integrity, perseverance, critical thinking, intellectual daring, and passion for exploration, clearly demonstrating a commitment to the pursuit of excellence.
- Achievement - identify the nominee's outstanding accomplishments in STEM fields, including scientific discovery, the development of creative technologies, new and advanced processes and systems, significant patent applications, novel prototypes, and other innovative contributions.
- Impact - demonstrate how the nominee's achievements impact society through their effect on science, technology, industry, global leadership, or the inspiration of future generations.
Nominee Personal Statement should:
- Describe the achievement(s) by providing details about the scientific discovery, creative new technology, new and advanced process(es) or system(s), patent application(s), novel prototype(s) and/or other innovative contribution(s).
- Explain how the achievement aids the United States in global technology leadership, inspires future generations, and/or changes society.
- Identify any industry(ies) and/or segment(s) of society that benefit from the achievement.
- Describe any challenges faced and how they were overcome to achieve the end result.
- Identify the qualities and characteristics that the nominee exemplifies that demonstrate traits such as integrity, perseverance, critical thinking, intellectual daring, and/or a passion for exploration. How has the nominee and their achievement(s) demonstrated a commitment to the pursuit of excellence?
- Describe how the accomplishment demonstrates the nominee's commitment to the pursuit of excellence.
Character, Achievement, Impact statements should be written in the third person and be no more than 500 words each. The Nominee Personal Statement should be written in the third person and be no more than 1,000 words.
Character Statement*
Max 500 words
Achievement Statement*
Max 500 words
Impact Statement*
Max 500 words
Nominee Personal Statement*

Last_First_MI_2026_NAAE_Personal Statement
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Nominee Resume/CV*

Last_First_MI_2026_NAAE_Resume-CV
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References, Partners, and Stakeholders
Please identify any partners or stakeholders supporting the achievement, and outline their roles in development and implementation.

NOTE: A minimum of one (1) and up to three (3) references, partners, or stakeholders must be included below.
Reference 1 Name*

First NameLast Name
Reference 1 Professional Title *
Reference 1 Company/Firm/Agency*
Reference 1 Contact Phone Number*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Reference 1 Contact Email*
example@example.com
Briefly outline how Reference 1 was involved in development and implementation.*
Reference 2 Name

First NameLast Name
Reference 2 Professional Title
Reference 2 Company/Firm/Agency
Reference 2 Contact Phone Number
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Reference 2 Email
example@example.com
Briefly outline how Reference 2 was involved in development and implementation.
Reference 3 Name

First NameLast Name
Reference 3 Professional Title
Reference 3 Company/Firm/Agency
Reference 3 Contact Phone Number
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Reference 3 Email
example@example.com
Briefly outline how Reference 3 was involved in development and implementation.
Nominator's Information
Nominator's Name*

First NameLast Name
Nominator's Professional Title *
Nominator's Relationship to Astronaut Scholar*
Nominator's Phone Number*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Nominator's Email*
example@example.com
Nominator's Organization Name
Nominator's Organization mailing address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Additional Contacts (optional)
Spouse Name

First NameLast Name
Spouse Phone
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Parent/Guardian Name # 1

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Phone Number #1
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Parent/Guardian Name # 2

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Phone Number #2
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Nominee's Employer Contact Information (optional)
Company/Firm/Agency
Contact Name

First NameLast Name
Professional Title
Contact Email
example@example.com
Contact Phone Number
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Employer Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Confirm & Submit
Character, Achievement, Impact Statements is written in third person and no more than 500 words eachNominee Personal Statement is written in third person and no more than 1,000 wordsUploaded Nominee Personal Statement uses naming convention LAST_FIRST_2026_NAAE_Personal StatementUploaded Nominee CV/Resume uses naming convention LAST_FIRST_2026_Resume-CVNOMINEE intends to attend the Innovators Gala where the award will be presented on August 15, 2026 in Houston, TXNOMINATOR intends to attend the Innovators Gala where the award will be presented on August 15, 2026 in Houston, TXEMPLOYER intends to attend the Innovators Gala where the award will be presented on August 15, 2026 in Houston, TX
Submission Date*

MonthDayYear
Date on Final Submission of complete package
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination write to the Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20220. The Department of the Treasury is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Should be Empty:

Nominee Information

Nomination

References, Partners, and Stakeholders

Nominator's Information

Additional Contacts (optional)

Nominee's Employer Contact Information (optional)

Confirm & Submit