Eligibility and sponsorship

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for sponsorship, the following criteria must be fulfilled: 

• The student must be aged minimum 18 years old. ESA Academy and relevant partners will only appraise applications from students who have no or limited professional experience in relevant scientific, engineering or other space-related topics
• The student must hold the nationality of an eligible state
• The student must be enrolled as Bachelor, Master, or PhD student studying, or researching a subject which is related to the programme, at an academic institute providing higher education (e.g. a university) in an eligible state

Note: The Fly a Rocket! programme is designed with bachelor level students in mind, and applicants from masters (or higher) level students must be well justified.

Sponsorship

Successful applicants will have their participation in the programme sponsored by the ESA Education office. 

Funding is available for students’ travel, accommodation, and subsistence expenses related to the programme. During the Fly a Rocket! campaign at the Andøya Space Centre, accommodation, local transport and food will be provided. Costs for travel and required overnight stays en-route will be reimbursed up to a ceiling. 

Sponsored students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements, unless informed otherwise. They are expected to arrange economy travel from a departure point in an ESA Member or Associate State to the location of the event and back to the original departure point. It is possible to stay longer in the location, in which case the additional expenses are the responsibility of the student. 

Students are responsible for their own arrangements for passports, visas, and any insurance required. 

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact flyarocket@esa.int.