Scholarships, competitions & programs

22 opportunities

• CompetitionsRobotics

  Aerial Drone Competition

  REC Foundation

  Team-based drone competition with piloting and autonomous coding challenges on an indoor field.

  Deadline

  Season runs roughly fall through spring

  Where

  Local events → championship

  Eligibility

  Middle- and high-school teams.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Programming autonomous flight plus teamwork under pressure.

  Details & apply (opens REC Foundation site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• CompetitionsGISRemote sensing

  ArcGIS Online Competition for U.S. High School & Middle School Students

  Esri

  Create an ArcGIS StoryMap that analyzes a place in your state. State winners are recognized, and some advance to national recognition.

  Deadline

  Entries typically due in spring

  Where

  By state

  Eligibility

  U.S. students in grades 4–12 (individuals or pairs).

  Award

  Cash awards for state winners

  Drone/STEM relevance: Put your drone maps into a GIS story. This is a portfolio piece for GIS and mapping careers.

  Details & apply (opens Esri site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• Drone events

  AUVSI XPONENTIAL

  AUVSI

  One of the largest uncrewed and autonomous systems trade shows. Worth following for industry trends and student programming.

  Deadline

  Annual event — check dates and student options

  Where

  Varies by year

  Eligibility

  Registration required; check student and educator options.

  Drone/STEM relevance: See the whole industry in one place — aircraft, sensors, software, and employers.

  Details & apply (opens AUVSI site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• RoboticsMechatronicsCompetitions

  FIRST Robotics Competition

  FIRST

  Build season robotics competition — design, fabrication, electronics, and programming skills that transfer directly to drones.

  Deadline

  Team registration in the fall; build season starts in January

  Where

  Regional and district events

  Eligibility

  High-school teams.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Mechatronics, control systems and programming — the engineering side of UAS.

  Details & apply (opens FIRST site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• InternshipsEngineeringRemote sensing

  NASA Internships

  NASA Office of STEM Engagement

  Paid internships at NASA centers, including opportunities for high-school students.

  Deadline

  Separate deadlines for spring, summer and fall sessions

  Where

  NASA centers and virtual

  Eligibility

  U.S. citizens; high-school students must be 16+ and meet GPA requirements.

  Award

  Paid stipend

  Drone/STEM relevance: Aeronautics, autonomy and remote-sensing research, including NASA's drone and air mobility work.

  Details & apply (opens NASA Office of STEM Engagement site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• CompetitionsTechnical programs

  SkillsUSA Commercial sUAS (Drone) Competition

  SkillsUSA

  Career-technical contest where teams plan and fly manual and autonomous missions, document an operational cycle, and troubleshoot repairs — judged against FAA rules.

  Deadline

  Follow your state SkillsUSA calendar (state contests are typically in spring)

  Where

  Chapter → State → National Leadership & Skills Conference

  Eligibility

  SkillsUSA members in career-technical programs.

  Drone/STEM relevance: The closest high-school competition to real commercial drone work.

  Details & apply (opens SkillsUSA site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• CompetitionsEngineeringRobotics

  Student Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) Competition

  RoboNation

  University teams build autonomous aircraft that perform search, mapping and delivery tasks.

  Deadline

  Team registration typically in the fall

  Where

  Maryland (annual)

  Eligibility

  University/college teams — a goal to aim for after high school.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Shows the engineering level university drone teams reach.

  Details & apply (opens RoboNation site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• CompetitionsSurveying

  Trig-Star

  National Society of Professional Surveyors

  A timed trigonometry contest built on real surveying problems. School winners advance to state and national rounds.

  Deadline

  School contests typically run in winter–spring

  Where

  Your high school → state → national

  Eligibility

  High-school students; a local surveyor usually proctors.

  Award

  Recognition and awards for top students and their teachers

  Drone/STEM relevance: Drone mapping and surveying run on trigonometry. This connects you to local surveyors.

  Details & apply (opens National Society of Professional Surveyors site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• CompetitionsEngineering

  TSA Technology Competitions (incl. drone events)

  Technology Student Association

  STEM competitions for middle and high school chapters, including drone-focused events. Check the current year's event list.

  Deadline

  Events published each fall; state conferences in spring

  Where

  Regional → State → National conference

  Eligibility

  TSA chapter members.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Engineering design, programming and piloting in a competitive format.

  Details & apply (opens Technology Student Association site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• CompetitionsEngineeringRobotics

  UAS4STEM Drone Challenge

  Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)

  Teams design, build, program and fly a drone through a mission-based challenge, with virtual rounds and a championship at EAA AirVenture.

  Deadline

  Registration typically opens in late summer and closes in January

  Where

  Virtual rounds; championship in Oshkosh, WI

  Eligibility

  Middle- and high-school teams with an adult mentor. Financial assistance available for new teams.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Hands-on build + autonomous mission experience — exactly the Engineering Lab skills.

  Details & apply (opens Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• ScholarshipsSTEM programs

  Women And Drones

  Women And Drones

  Community, mentorship, awards and scholarship opportunities for women and girls in the drone industry.

  Deadline

  Scholarships and awards announced periodically — check the site

  Where

  Online / events

  Eligibility

  Varies by program.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Mentors and networks in the commercial drone industry.

  Details & apply (opens Women And Drones site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• GISSTEM programs

  ArcGIS for Schools

  Esri

  Free professional GIS software and learning resources for U.S. K–12 schools and clubs.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Online

  Eligibility

  U.S. K–12 schools, clubs, and youth organizations.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Use the same GIS tools as working professionals to analyze your drone data.

  Details & apply (opens Esri site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• Community collegeCollege programsTechnical programs

  Aviation — Unmanned Aerial Systems degree option

  Central Oregon Community College

  One of COCC's aviation degree options, alongside airplane, helicopter and aviation management. COCC is listed in the FAA's UAS Collegiate Training Initiative.

  Deadline

  Rolling — Community college admissions — check term start dates

  Where

  Bend, OR

  Eligibility

  High-school graduates; ask about dual-credit options.

  Drone/STEM relevance: An Oregon two-year UAS pathway close to home.

  Details & apply (opens Central Oregon Community College site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programs

  B.S. Aeronautics — UAS Operations

  University of North Dakota

  The first university to graduate UAS Operations majors. Students train as remote pilots, sensor operators and mission commanders.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Grand Forks, ND

  Eligibility

  University admission; U.S. citizenship required for this major (export-controlled content).

  Drone/STEM relevance: A leading operations-focused UAS degree.

  Details & apply (opens University of North Dakota site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programsSurveyingGIS

  B.S. Geomatics (Surveying, GIS & Unmanned Systems option)

  Oregon Institute of Technology

  Surveying, GIS, GNSS and remote sensing, with an unmanned systems option. Surveying graduates prepare for professional licensure.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Klamath Falls, OR (and online options)

  Eligibility

  University admission.

  Drone/STEM relevance: The most direct Oregon route from drone mapping to a licensed surveying career.

  Details & apply (opens Oregon Institute of Technology site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programs

  B.S. Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems

  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Worldwide)

  An online bachelor's degree covering UAS operations, mission planning, data collection and processing, and regulations.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Online

  Eligibility

  University admission.

  Drone/STEM relevance: A flexible bachelor's pathway you can combine with work.

  Details & apply (opens Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Worldwide) site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• STEM programs

  Civil Air Patrol Cadet Programs

  Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary)

  Youth aerospace program with leadership, emergency services, and sUAS training opportunities through local squadrons.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Local squadrons nationwide

  Eligibility

  Ages 12–18 (join a local squadron).

  Drone/STEM relevance: Real emergency-services culture and drone operations experience.

  Details & apply (opens Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary) site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programsCommunity collegeTechnical programs

  FAA UAS Collegiate Training Initiative school directory

  Federal Aviation Administration

  The FAA's list of colleges recognized for preparing students for UAS careers. Use it to find two- and four-year programs anywhere in the U.S.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Nationwide

  Eligibility

  Directory — anyone.

  Drone/STEM relevance: The authoritative starting point for comparing drone colleges.

  Details & apply (opens Federal Aviation Administration site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• Scholarships

  High School STEM Scholarship for Aspiring Commercial Drone Pilots

  Drone Pilot Ground School

  Covers an online Part 107 test-prep course and reimburses the FAA knowledge-test fee for selected high-school students.

  Deadline

  Rolling — Reviewed on a rolling basis each semester

  Where

  Online (U.S.)

  Eligibility

  U.S. high-school students aged 16+; short essays and a letter of recommendation.

  Award

  Part 107 course access + test fee reimbursement

  Drone/STEM relevance: Direct path to your Remote Pilot Certificate — the credential most drone jobs require.

  Details & apply (opens Drone Pilot Ground School site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• Community collegeTechnical programsMechatronics

  Mechatronics / Industrial Automation Technology (AAS)

  Linn-Benton Community College

  A two-year degree (plus a one-year certificate) that trains industrial automation technicians in sensors, electronics, robotics, programming and troubleshooting.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Albany, OR

  Eligibility

  Open enrollment; ask about dual credit.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Drones are mechatronic systems. This is a close-to-home technician pathway with the same skills.

  Details & apply (opens Linn-Benton Community College site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• CompetitionsSTEM programs

  U.S. Drone Soccer

  U.S. Drone Soccer

  Caged drones compete as teams — fast, physical, and a great way to learn repair and flight skills.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Local leagues and national events

  Eligibility

  Student teams; check league rules.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Manual flying skill, quick repairs, and team strategy.

  Details & apply (opens U.S. Drone Soccer site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programsEngineering

  Unmanned Aircraft Systems programs

  Kansas State University Salina (K-State Polytechnic)

  UAS flight and design programs, with professional training and research operations.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Salina, KS

  Eligibility

  University admission.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Strong design and operations options for students who want both.

  Details & apply (opens Kansas State University Salina (K-State Polytechnic) site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26