Scholarships, competitions & programs

7 opportunities

• Community collegeCollege programsTechnical programs

  Aviation — Unmanned Aerial Systems degree option

  Central Oregon Community College

  One of COCC's aviation degree options, alongside airplane, helicopter and aviation management. COCC is listed in the FAA's UAS Collegiate Training Initiative.

  Deadline

  Rolling — Community college admissions — check term start dates

  Where

  Bend, OR

  Eligibility

  High-school graduates; ask about dual-credit options.

  Drone/STEM relevance: An Oregon two-year UAS pathway close to home.

  Details & apply (opens Central Oregon Community College site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programs

  B.S. Aeronautics — UAS Operations

  University of North Dakota

  The first university to graduate UAS Operations majors. Students train as remote pilots, sensor operators and mission commanders.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Grand Forks, ND

  Eligibility

  University admission; U.S. citizenship required for this major (export-controlled content).

  Drone/STEM relevance: A leading operations-focused UAS degree.

  Details & apply (opens University of North Dakota site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programsSurveyingGIS

  B.S. Geomatics (Surveying, GIS & Unmanned Systems option)

  Oregon Institute of Technology

  Surveying, GIS, GNSS and remote sensing, with an unmanned systems option. Surveying graduates prepare for professional licensure.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Klamath Falls, OR (and online options)

  Eligibility

  University admission.

  Drone/STEM relevance: The most direct Oregon route from drone mapping to a licensed surveying career.

  Details & apply (opens Oregon Institute of Technology site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programs

  B.S. Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems

  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Worldwide)

  An online bachelor's degree covering UAS operations, mission planning, data collection and processing, and regulations.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Online

  Eligibility

  University admission.

  Drone/STEM relevance: A flexible bachelor's pathway you can combine with work.

  Details & apply (opens Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Worldwide) site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programsCommunity collegeTechnical programs

  FAA UAS Collegiate Training Initiative school directory

  Federal Aviation Administration

  The FAA's list of colleges recognized for preparing students for UAS careers. Use it to find two- and four-year programs anywhere in the U.S.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Nationwide

  Eligibility

  Directory — anyone.

  Drone/STEM relevance: The authoritative starting point for comparing drone colleges.

  Details & apply (opens Federal Aviation Administration site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• Community collegeTechnical programsMechatronics

  Mechatronics / Industrial Automation Technology (AAS)

  Linn-Benton Community College

  A two-year degree (plus a one-year certificate) that trains industrial automation technicians in sensors, electronics, robotics, programming and troubleshooting.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Albany, OR

  Eligibility

  Open enrollment; ask about dual credit.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Drones are mechatronic systems. This is a close-to-home technician pathway with the same skills.

  Details & apply (opens Linn-Benton Community College site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26
• College programsEngineering

  Unmanned Aircraft Systems programs

  Kansas State University Salina (K-State Polytechnic)

  UAS flight and design programs, with professional training and research operations.

  Deadline

  Rolling / open

  Where

  Salina, KS

  Eligibility

  University admission.

  Drone/STEM relevance: Strong design and operations options for students who want both.

  Details & apply (opens Kansas State University Salina (K-State Polytechnic) site in a new tab)Verified 2026-09-26