Applications open for 2025 Barbara Wood Scholarship



The SFTE Board of Directors are pleased to announce the opening of applications for the 2025 Barbara Wood Scholarship. The award is named in honor of Barbara WoodF. Barbara was a lifelong Flight Test Engineer, a pillar of SFTE, and a pioneering woman in the industry. She held many leadership positions in the Society at both the European Chapter and the International level, including:
  • European Chapter Secretary, 1991-1995 and 2007-2009
  • European Chapter Vice President, 1995-1999
  • European Chapter President, 1999-2003
  • International Board of Directors, 2008-2012
  • Elected Society Fellow, 2008
Barbara also served on the Flight Test Technical Team at the NATO Science and Technology Organization, publishing several papers (known as AGARDographs) and contributing to industry-wide flight test knowledge and improvement. Her professionalism, activism, and kind smile represent the best of the flight test industry. Barbara passed away in 2023.

Apply for the Barbara Wood Scholarship

The Barbara Wood Scholarship exists for two purposes:
  • To promote the flight test profession by providing financial assistance to students pursuing a flight test related career.
  • To benefit our membership by providing financial assistance to dependents of members pursuing undergraduate degrees.
Awards are made for one year only. The amount of each award is determined by the SFTE Board of Directors, and is based on available funds and the number of winners.

The Barbara Wood Scholarship is open to Student Members who have been members for at least 6 months, and to dependents of members in good standing. (Dependents of affiliate members are not eligible.)

The SFTE Board of Directors considers the following criteria when awarding funds:
  • Scholastic Achievement
  • Relationship of career goals to flight test engineering
  • Extracurricular activities and community service efforts
The Board of Directors will announce the recipients publicly at the International Symposium Awards Banquet in October 2025. Funds will be disbursed after the start of students‘ Fall term

Application Requirements

Applicants must be pursuing their first undergraduate university degree, majoring in one of the following:
  • Engineering
  • Computer science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Other technical discipline related to aerospace.
Applicants must have completed their first year at university prior to receiving the award.

Submitted transcripts must include all courses completed during the degree program, including Spring Term during the year of application.

About the SFTE Foundation

The Barbara Wood Scholarship is funded by the SFTE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization which seeks to promote the education of our youth while encouraging them to enter Flight Test or related fields.The SFTE Foundation is funded by donations from individuals and organizations. 

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