Wright Patterson Air Force Base -- The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ is now accepting applications for its 2025–2026 American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) Challenge Grant program, funded through the generous support of the Air Force Museum Foundation (federal endorsement not implied).
Now in its second year, the Challenge Grant program offers $2,000 grants to help Title I schools, homeschool groups, 4-H clubs, and Scout troops launch their own student rocketry teams. These grants support startup costs such as supplies, equipment, and registration fees for the American Rocketry Challenge—the nation’s largest student rocketry competition.
“Our donors care deeply about supporting programs that extend the Museum’s impact beyond its walls,” said Rorie Cartier, PhD, CEO of the Air Force Museum Foundation. “By helping students engage in hands-on STEM learning through initiatives like the ARC Challenge Grants, they’re supporting skill-building that can carry students far—both academically and professionally.”
One of last year’s grant recipients, Stebbins High School in Riverside, Ohio, used their award to form a competitive ARC team. For students like James, the experience offered both technical and leadership growth.
“I was the commander of my team during the 2023–2024 season and it was a great learning experience,” James said. “I learned the engineering design process… With this knowledge I will be able to apply it to everyday life and help me with my career goals of becoming an engineer.”
Another student, Christian, reflected on what the program meant to him:
“I really loved being in rocketry. Learning about teamwork, rocket composition, and aerodynamics was absolutely enjoyable,” Christian said. “Being close to getting accepted to Nationals also felt good, gave us a sense of success… and even though we did not make it, we went really far.”
Lt. Col. David W. Yunt, USAF (Ret), Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at Stebbins High School, emphasized how vital the funding was to the team’s success:
“Having the grants made rocketry possible—especially that first year, when we couldn’t purchase equipment due to logistical issues,” Yunt said. “With the funds provided by the Air Force Museum Foundation, we were able to buy the baseline equipment needed to establish a team and then necessary rocketry parts to have a competition team and learn the ropes.”
Three $2,000 grants are available for the upcoming school year. Applications must be submitted by an adult advisor and are due by August 24, 2025. Priority will be given to applicants demonstrating financial need.
Learn more and apply: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Education/ARC-Rocket-Team/