AOC Foundation Invests in EW’s Next Generation with Three Open Programs

The AOC Foundation is calling on students, veterans, and early-career professionals to apply for three programs currently accepting applications for 2026 – all designed to invest in the next generation of electromagnetic warfare (EW) and spectrum operations talent.

The electromagnetic spectrum sits at the center of modern military conflict, which only increases the demand for highly trained professionals. AOC’s scholarship and recognition programs reflect a deliberate effort to build a pipeline of individuals with the knowledge and expertise to meet that challenge.

AOC’s Future 5, STEM Students of the Year, and From Service to Scholar Scholarship programs are all currently open and accepting applicants. Eligible young professionals and students are encouraged to apply, while members of the industry are encouraged to share the programs with colleagues whose standout potential deserves to be recognized.

Future 5

Applications for the 2026 Future 5 program are now open. Each year, the AOC Foundation selects five young professionals who are actively innovating and striving for excellence as they build careers in EW and information operations.

The program is as much about recognition as it is about investment. Winners receive an award and certificate, are honored on stage at the AOC International Symposium & Convention, and are featured in the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). Beyond that, awardees receive a one-year AOC membership, complimentary convention registration (with discounted rates for the two following years), access to a professional development course, and entry into the AOC Mentorship Program.

The deadline to apply is June 30, 2026.

STEM Student of the Year Scholarship

Funded by RTX, the STEM Student of the Year Scholarship provides $12,500 annually to two undergraduate students – one male and one female – pursuing engineering or engineering technology with an eye toward aerospace and defense. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2026.

Eligible applicants must be US citizens enrolled full-time as sophomores or juniors at an accredited college or university, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Academic focus areas including signals collection, signals processing, cyber technologies, and spectrum visualization are preferred. Applicants are also evaluated on a student essay outlining their interest in and potential contribution to national defense.

From Service to Scholar Scholarship

The From Service to Scholar Scholarship supports veterans making the transition from military service to the classroom. Funded by Rohde and Schwarz USA, Inc., the program awards five $2,000 scholarships annually to students enrolled under the GI Bill who are pursuing engineering, engineering technology, or EW-related fields of study. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2026.

The scholarship was created to address a real and often overlooked gap: GI Bill benefits, while substantial, don’t always cover the full cost of earning a degree. Books, fees, technology, housing, and transportation can add up quickly. The From Service to Scholar program is designed to remove those obstacles for veterans committed to supporting national defense through their academic and professional careers.

Applicants must be US citizens, enrolled full-time with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and either currently receiving or eligible to receive GI Bill education benefits. The program also allows for renewal, meaning past awardees can reapply, though they compete alongside all new applicants.

All three programs are administered through the AOC Educational Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the EW and spectrum operations community through education, scholarships, and networking. To learn more, visit crows.org/foundation.