Three Miami seniors receive Astronaut Scholarships for 2026 Sara McGinnis, Siena Madsen, and Caden McCollum earn prestigious, merit-based award from Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Three Miami seniors receive Astronaut Scholarships for 2026 Sara McGinnis, Siena Madsen, and Caden McCollum earn prestigious, merit-based award from Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Miami University students Sara McGinnis, Siena Madsen, and Caden McCollum have earned Astronaut Scholarships for 2026. Awarded by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, the Astronaut Scholarship is among the most significant merit-based, monetary scholarships awarded to undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) juniors and seniors who intend to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their final degree. Created in 1984 by the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts, the foundation’s mission is “to aid the United States in retaining its world leadership in technology and innovation by supporting the very best and brightest scholars in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while commemorating the legacy of America’s pioneering astronauts.” Miami is one of the foundation's original university partners, with the first student being awarded a scholarship in 1986. There are currently 55 partner institutions nationally. Miami is also one of seven partner schools of the foundation's Founders for the Future program. Thanks to a $1 million grant from Blue Origin’s nonprofit Club for the Future, seven additional Astronaut Scholarships — one from each of the seven partner schools — will be provided every year through 2029. The Astronaut Scholarship is considered one of the premier scholarships available to undergraduate STEM majors intending a career in research. Sara McGinnis A senior Physics and Environmental Science double major from Okeana, McGinnis conducts research investigating the properties of topological materials with faculty mentor Perry Corbett. Corbett, the James C. and Carole E. Garland Assistant Professor of Physics, praised McGinnis for her attention to detail and enthusiasm