CNES and Fondation Ailes de France join forces to offer grants to young students pursuing space-related projects

Monday 1st of February, the Fondation Ailes de France is kicking off its SPACE Grants 2021 campaign in partnership with CNES under a new agreement between the two organizations.

Under the aegis of the Fondation de France, the Fondation Ailes de France aims to help further learning and raise awareness of the aerospace sphere. To this end, it lends its support to educational, scientific, cultural and sustainable development projects pursued in particular by young people. Its partnership with CNES to award SPACE Grants is a natural extension of its efforts and is designed to help bright young students by giving them the means to accomplish their higher education projects in domains related directly to the space sector.

This year the Fondation Ailes de France plans to award up to six grants each worth €5,000 to young students under 26 years of age. Two will be funded by CNES, which will also sit on the selection panel to be convened in May. An official SPACE Grants award ceremony is planned in June.

Commenting on the launch of this grant awards campaign, CNES President Jean-Yves Le Gall said: “CNES is strongly committed to getting young people interested in space, for it is with the new generations that we are building our future. The values behind this project closely fit those of CNES and it is in our interest to play a driving role in the Fondation Ailes de France’s space efforts.”

General Patrick Charaix, President of the Fondation Ailes de France, added: “In a spirit of fraternity and commitment, the French Air and Space Force, through the Fondation Ailes de France, is making it a priority to help build a bright future for the younger generations and the wider community of aviators. Through these SPACE Grants, let’s give youngsters setting out on the space adventure the chance to soar and take advantage of its great opportunities for innovation!”