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Scholarships and Funding for the 2026 Solar Eclipses: What Astronomy Fans on Reddit Are Chatting About
Solar Eclipses: Hey there! With the annular solar eclipse happening today (February 17, 2026) in spots like Antarctica and southern Africa, and the big total solar eclipse coming up on August 12, 2026 (visible in Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain), Reddit is full of excited posts in r/solareclipse, r/astronomy, and r/space. People are sharing travel tips for Spain/Iceland, gear recommendations, and safe viewing spots—but a common question keeps popping up: Are there any scholarships, grants, or funding to help with eclipse-related studies, research, or even attending events in 2026?
Direct “eclipse 2026 scholarship” funds aren’t flooding the scene (unlike the massive push for the 2024 North American eclipse), but there are solid opportunities in astronomy, solar science, and STEM that tie right into eclipses. Redditors often point to these for students or enthusiasts wanting to turn eclipse chasing into something academic or professional. Here’s a simple, fresh roundup based on current chats and real programs.
1. Astronomy & Solar-Focused Scholarships (Great for Eclipse Projects)
These aren’t eclipse-only but perfect if your research or studies involve solar phenomena, eclipses, or space weather.
- Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Awards up to $15,000 for top STEM undergrads (science, tech, engineering, math). Nominations for 2026 close March 30, 2026. Many winners do eclipse-related work or outreach. Check astronautscholarship.org – r/astronomy folks mention it for passionate students.
- Maryland Space Grant Consortium Scholarships offers undergrad/grad funding (amounts vary, often $2,000–$5,000+). Applications for 2026–2027 open in April 2026. They’ve supported eclipse ballooning and observation projects before. Head to md.spacegrant.org.
- Imm Astronomy Scholarship (via Bold.org) Up to $4,000 for astronomy lovers. Cycles run yearly—watch for 2026 rounds. Bold.org is a go-to on r/scholarships for quick apps.
2. Eclipse-Specific or Related Grants (Watch for 2026 Calls)
In the past, these programs have funded education, outreach, or research.
- Jay M. Pasachoff Solar Eclipse Mini-Grants (American Astronomical Society) Small grants ($1,000–$20,000) for public engagement, school programs, or research tied to eclipses. They funded a lot for 2024; check aas.org/eclipse or eclipse.aas.org for 2026 announcements (often in fall/winter before the event). Redditors in r/solareclipse love sharing when apps drop.
- NASA Heliophysics or Space Grant Opportunities: NASA funds eclipse citizen science and research (e.g., atmospheric data during totality). State Space Grants (such as those in Florida or Texas) sometimes offer student scholarships for eclipse projects. Browse nasa.gov or your local spacegrant.org.
- SCOSTEP Visiting Scholar Program for solar-terrestrial physics training (includes eclipse studies). The deadline for the recent cycle was February 15, 2026. Keep an eye on solarnews.aas.org for more.
3. Hands-On Eclipse Experiences with Funding
- International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) 2026 will be held in Spain during the August eclipse! For ages 16–24, with some scholarships/grants for financial need (camp fee ~€1,190, aid available). iayc.org – super hyped on Reddit for real eclipse observing and friends.
University trips (e.g., from Williams College or others honoring Jay Pasachoff) sometimes have partial funding for students—check your school’s astronomy department.
Reddit Buzz Right Now
In Solar Eclipses, threads focus on planning Spain trips (book hotels early!), eclipse-glasses safety, and combining viewing with mini-research (e.g., phone apps for data collection). No massive “free trip scholarships” yet, but outreach grants are expected to pop up closer to August. For the annular today, posts are lighter since it’s remote, but the total one has everyone pumped.
Conclusion on Solar Eclipses
If you’re a student in Africa (annular visibility) or Europe, local astronomy societies might also have small pots.
Quick tip: Start on Bold.org, AAS sites, or NASA for apps. Reddit communities update fast—subscribe to r/solareclipse for links!
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