The Solastra Fellowship
About Us
Soar. Lead. Inspire.
The Solastra Fellowship is committed to fostering community and creating opportunities for emerging Latino professionals in the aerospace industry. Our mission is to empower students to grow as leaders while working to close the diversity gap and uplift underrepresented communities in aerospace. We aspire to not only create these opportunities, but also to give back to the community that we are so intrinsically tied to with community service projects.
Our Story
The Solastra Fellowship, founded in 2024, was created to bridge the gap between the Latino community and the aerospace industry. Drawing inspiration from existing fellowships, Solastra provides a supportive environment where members of a historically underrepresented community can learn, grow, and build the skills needed to thrive in this dynamic field. Our mission is to empower future leaders and open doors to their aspirations, equipping fellows with the preparation necessary to excel.
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Rooted in personal experiences and a shared passion for aerospace, the Fellowship is driven by a belief that the ever-expanding frontier of space exploration should reflect all of those who pursue it. At Solastra, we strive to shape Latino professionals ready to make an impact across all facets of the aerospace industry—to Soar, Lead, and Inspire.
Are you eligible to apply?
Our fellowship is for Latino students, both undergrad and grad students, who are passionate about aerospace and community. If you are enrolled in a university and are of Latin American descent then you are eligible to apply to our fellowship! International students are welcome and encouraged, as are non STEM disciplines. To reiterate, when applying keep in mind if you meet the following criteria:
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1. Are you Latino, born in a Latin-American country or of Latin-American descent?
2. Are you enrolled in a degree seeking program at the time of application?
3. Are you passionate about aerospace and aviation?
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If the answer is yes to all three questions than you are eligible!
Benefits of Being a Fellow
Becoming a fellow opens doors to future opportunities while providing tangible, immediate benefits. Our commitment is to support you in every aspect of your career, ensuring that we work diligently toward your success and growth in the aerospace and aviation industries. Any fellow selected would also be expected to participate in a community service project.
Mentor
Professional Workshops
Diverse Network
Internship in the Industry
Professional mentor will be assigned to fellows, to help them with early career and internship guidance. The mentor will be expected to dedicate at least one to two hours a month to their fellow.
We ensure you're fully prepared for your internship by equipping you with the tools, resources, and knowledge you need to excel at your host company and any opportunity you might get after that.
We provide you with direct access to mentors, the entire Solastra team and their professional network, as well as the broader community of fellows, fostering connections that support your growth and success.
During the summer, you'll have the opportunity to spend 12 weeks with one of our Host Companies, gaining hands-on experience and expanding your technical expertise.
Why Solastra
As demand for innovation and global competitiveness grows, so too does the need for fresh perspectives, bold ideas, cultural competence, and a deeper understanding of a global customer base. Without inclusive pathways and culturally grounded support systems, we risk losing brilliant minds to systemic barriers. The Solastra Fellowship connects you with driven, highly qualified students who are passionate about aerospace and aviation. Our fellows are more than scholars – they are cultural connectors, creative thinkers, and technical trailblazers ready to tackle the industry's most pressing challenges. Together, we can help shape the future of the industry.
Solastra's Impact
The Solastra Fellowship is a pioneering program dedicated to empowering Latino students in aerospace and aviation—a sector where Latino representation remains critically low. While Hispanics make up nearly 19% of the U.S. population, they represent only 8% of the STEM workforce overall (Pew Research Center, 2021), and their presence in aerospace engineering is even more limited. This lack of representation isn't due to a shortage of talent or interest. Latino students are just as likely as their peers to major in science and engineering fields but face greater systemic barriers to completion and employment. We exist to tackle underrepresentation of Latinos in the industry. We identify and elevate the next generation of Latino innovators, engineers, scientists, and leaders by providing them with a combination of personalized mentorship, career-shaping internships, and an immersive summit experience. Solastra bridges heritage and high-achieving potential in an industry that must diversify to evolve.