Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship

 

Announcing the 2026 Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship

Now accepting applications for 2026!

The Tripoli Rocketry Association is proud to offer the 2026 Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship, an annual program supporting students pursuing higher education in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). This scholarship honors the memory and legacy of Erik Gates, whose passion for high power rocketry and dedication to the hobby continue to inspire future generations.

Key Dates

• Application Opens: January 1, 2026
• Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
• Recipients Announced: April 18, 2026, at the LDRS Banquet

What’s New for 2026

• Online submissions only. No paper or mailed applications will be accepted.
• Updated application format aligned with STEM and AIAA best practices.
• Improved accessibility through a streamlined online application form.

About the Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship

The Tripoli Rocketry Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing hobby rocketry. A key part of this mission is encouraging educational opportunities connected to this high-technology pursuit. 

The Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in honor of past Tripoli Director Erik Gates. Erik lived a full and active life and made lasting contributions to the promotion of high power rocketry and the positive representation of the hobby. His impact continues through this scholarship program. 

The scholarship is awarded annually to assist recipients with the continued pursuit of higher education.

Scholarship Amount

Grants of at least $2,500 each

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a Tripoli member, or the child, stepchild, grandchild, sibling, or IRS-defined dependent of a Tripoli member in good standing (or in good standing at the time of death).
• Be a high school graduate or a current high school senior.
• Be pursuing, or planning to pursue, a college or vocational education.
• Have applied to an accredited institution of higher learning.

What We Are Looking For

The Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship is a competitive award. Each year, many highly qualified applicants apply, and not all will receive funding.

Selection considerations include:

• Basic Eligibility
  A relationship to the Tripoli Rocketry Association is required, as this scholarship is funded through the generosity of donors within the Tripoli community.
  
  
• Academic Performance
  Academic achievement and performance are significant factors in the selection process. The overall applicant pool is typically strong and competitive.
  
  
• Rockery and Other Activities
  Because this scholarship honors Erik Gates and is offered by Tripoli, involvement in hobby rocketry may be a deciding factor among otherwise equally qualified candidates. Participation and success in extracurricular and non-academic activities may also be considered, as they often reflect skills and traits important for success in higher education.
  

Erik Gates Scholarship Applicant Instructions

The scholarship application consists of several sections that require free-form responses and file uploads. It is strongly recommended that you gather all required information before starting the application, as there is no option to save an in-progress form.

In addition to standard personal information, you will need the following to complete the application successfully:

• Your (or your parent/guardian’s) Tripoli member number
• A photo of your Tripoli membership card showing an expiration date of April 2026 or later
• Your high school name, location, and graduation date
• Your current or planned university-level course of study and enrollment status
• Your SAT or ACT score, if required in your area
• An upload of your most recent official transcript

The following essay submissions are required. It is recommended that essays be written and reviewed for grammar, spelling, and word count in a separate document, then pasted into the application form.

Essay 1 (500 words or fewer)
Respond to one of the following prompts:

• How has your experience with rocketry or Tripoli influenced your academic and career goals in STEM?
• What do you believe is the next frontier for space exploration, and how should the world prepare for it?
• What can be done to increase the participation of U.S. students in science and engineering fields?

Essay 2 (300 words or fewer)
Describe your involvement in Tripoli launches and rocketry in general.

Finally, the following optional materials may be submitted:

• A 200-word (or fewer) explanation of any financial circumstances you would like the scholarship committee to consider
• Letters of recommendation you would like included with your application
• Any rocketry-related materials you would like the committee to consider

We wish you the best on your 2026 scholarship application submission.

Click here to Submit your Application

Most Common Application Errors

These issues are the most common reasons applications are scored poorly or not considered.

• Incomplete applications
  Every question is required. Do not leave fields blank. If something does not apply, enter “Not Applicable” or “N/A” exactly as directed.
  
  
• Missing required uploads
  Applications are often submitted without required transcripts, test scores (if applicable), or eligibility verification. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents are uploaded before submitting.
  
  
• “See attached” instead of answering
  Attachments may supplement your application but do not replace required responses. Information not entered directly into the application fields may not be considered during scoring.
  
  
• Assuming follow-up will occur
  Statements such as “contact me if needed” do not substitute for missing information. The committee will not follow up to complete an application.
  
  
• Late submissions
  The online system closes at the deadline. Late applications are not accepted for any reason. Start early to avoid last-minute issues.
  
  
• Low-effort responses
  The quality of your writing matters. Thoughtful, clear answers help the committee understand your goals, experience, and need. Rushed or vague responses will score poorly.