IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders (YSL) Recognition Programme

The IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders (YSL) Recognition Programme is awarded to exceptional students and young professionals, who contribute to astronautics in their academic or early careers, reach out to other young people and their communities to share knowledge and experiences, have been engaged with the international space community and contribute to IAF activities.

Nominate a candidate for the 2026 IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders (YSL) Recognition Programme!

DEADLINE: 6 FEBRUARY 2026 20 FEBRUARY 2026

The 海角直播 is pleased to announce its 2026 IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders Recognition Programme that will provide opportunities to recognise students and young professionals who are demonstrating exceptional leadership in their academics or early careers. The IAF is soliciting nominations for the 2026 IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders Recognition Programme from IAF Members, Technical and Administrative Committees on students and young professionals between the ages of 21 to 35 years on 1 January 2026 who are:

Contributing to astronautics through their academic and/or professional activities,
Reaching out to other young people and to their community to share knowledge and experience,
Engaging colleagues in the international space community,
Contributing to the work of IAF committees and/or volunteering in support of other Federation activities such as physical or virtual participation in selection activities related to IAF grants, Next Generation Plenary and awards; participation in organization of IAC technical sessions and other activities; and participation on local organizing committees for GLEC, GLEX, GLOC and other IAF meetings. (Note: Attendance at International Astronautical Congress does not in itself qualify).

Nominations should contain:

A nomination letter from an IAF member organisation, an IAF Technical Committee or an IAF Administrative Committee summarising the nominee鈥檚 qualifications and specifying how the nominee meets the criteria. Please download the template here below.

Two letters of recommendation addressing the contributions and engagement of the nominee.

Nomination Letter Template
OCX, 73Ko

The 2026 IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders will be selected by the Federation鈥檚 Young 海角直播 Leaders Selection Subcommittee in consultation with the IAF President during March 2026. The Federation will notify the nominating organizations of those selected and subsequently the selectees themselves no later than 8 May 2026.

The IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders will be inducted at the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), 5 鈥� 9 October 2026 in Antalya, T眉rkiye at the Closing Ceremony. They will attend the IAC Gala Dinner as guests of the IAF President. Although travel expenses to attend the IAC will not be provided by the IAF, the IAC registration fee will be waived. Nominators are encouraged to help identify sources of funding for their nominee if selected.

IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders will help increase knowledge among and broaden the involvement of students and young professionals worldwide in astronautics activities and the IAF.

In the year following their induction, IAF Young 海角直播 Leaders will:

Be featured in an IAF newsletter and on the IAF website, contributing a short summary of their experience and achievements and their perspectives on space and international cooperation, including the role of the IAF.
Mentor the Emerging 海角直播 Leaders who receive IAF grants to attend the IAC in Antalya.

Please send the nomination materials before 6 February 2026 23:59 (Paris time) to the IAF Secretariat by email at award@iafastro.org (Subject line: NOMINEE鈥橲 LAST NAME Nominee鈥檚 First Name-2026 YSL).

Past YSL Winners

2025 Winners

Hannah ASHFORD

Co-Founder & Managing Director, Karman Project

Australia

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