NASA’s administrator made a record-setting investment pledge to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation to support students studying science, technology, mathematics and engineering.
Jared Isaacman, the billionaire businessman who became a private astronaut and then President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the space agency, made a five-year pledge totaling $500,000, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation said. That’s the biggest investment the group founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts has ever received, it said.
“This extraordinary commitment represents a defining moment for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation,” Colleen Middlebrooks, President and CEO of ASF said in a news release.
“Jared’s investment will elevate our ability to identify and support the nation’s most promising STEM students while reinforcing the importance of building a strong pipeline of talent for the future.”
She called it an “organization-changing gift” that will impact students for generations to come.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit founded by the original NASA Mercury 7 astronauts in 1984. It has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to talented students in STEM studies. It also provides these students with a support network and professional development opportunities.
Isaacman is a well-known figure in the space industry, and is currently serving as the 15th NASA administrator after taking on the role in December 2025.
On multiple occasions, the billionaire businessman has embraced philanthropy. Isaacman made his fortune after founding successful payment company Shift4. He stepped down as CEO to serve as NASA’s leader. He also founded Draken International, a defense aerospace firm which provides training for U.S. military personnel.
Isaacman bought and commanded two memorable private space missions with SpaceX: Inspiration 4 and Polaris Dawn. The 2021 Inspiration4 mission became the first all-civilian spaceflight to orbit Earth, and the 2024 Polaris Dawn mission featured the first spacewalk by a private company.
Both missions launched from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A and raised money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Isaacman has also donated a total of $25 million to Space Camp, the new Inspiration4 Skills Training Complex at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama named for his first mission.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by those who push the boundaries of what’s possible — and by the people who are determined to go even further,” Isaacman said in the news release. “That’s exactly what the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is doing — championing students who take risks, tackle hard problems and pursue bold ideas.”
He said these students are “the Artemis generation,” referring to NASA’s bid to return American astronauts to the lunar surface and build a moon base.
“I’m incredibly excited to support their journey as they push beyond what we know today,” Isaacman said.
This isn’t Isaacman’s first show of support for the Space Coast. Although the donation amount was not revealed, Isaacman was a large supporter of the Sands Space History Center refurbishment in 2025. Located at 100 Spaceport Way, the public museum sits right outside the south gates of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman makes record donation to ASF
Reporting by Brooke Edwards, Florida Today / Florida Today
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By Brooke Edwards, Florida Today | USA TODAY Network
