LaunchPad SPARC / Ignite Fellowship - Summer 2026

Undergraduate Engineering Internship (UAV Focus)

Position Overview:

The LaunchPad Center for Advanced Air Mobility at Oklahoma State University (Tulsa Campus) is accepting applications for the Summer 2026 SPARC cohort (Ignite Fellowship). This opportunity is structured in alignment with an NSF REU-style format as an 8-week, paid, full-time summer program for rising junior and senior undergraduate students to complete a mentored UAV research project while also developing structured commercialization literacy aligned with Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and related systems.
Fellowship leadership and mentorship structure:

Dr. Anthony Comer serves as the PI for the Summer 2026 SPARC effort in Tulsa and leads the overall program integration on the research side. Mr. James Spencer serves as Co-PI and directs the commercialization/programming component of the fellowship. Day-to-day technical mentorship is provided by an assigned graduate student mentor, typically supporting 1–2 undergraduate fellows per graduate mentor.
Dates, location, and compensation:

✅ Work dates (full-time; in-person): June 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026
✅ Optional housing move-in/move-out window: move-in May 24-30; move-out August 1
✅ Primary location: OSU–Tulsa / LaunchPad Center (Tulsa, OK)
✅ Fellows are paid $15/hour and are expected to work full-time (40 hours/week)
✅ Some work may include WindShaper testing and local flight-test activities, depending on the assigned project
Program components:

1. Mentored UAV research project (S2FAR Lab workflow; project-dependent)

• Each intern will contribute to a defined summer research Group 1-2 UAV design, build, fly project under a graduate mentor with faculty oversight. Each team will consist of three (3) undergraduate interns and one (1) graduate student mentor from OSU-Tulsa. Each team will undergo a complete simulation-to-flight workflow following the steps outlined in the image at the bottom of this document. All interns can expect structured lecture-style instruction on the process along with hands-on experiences. All interns will be expected to perform flight test demonstrations and a final internship exit presentation.

2. LaunchPad commercialization track (ACE framework-based; non-research emphasis)

• From the LaunchPad perspective, SPARC is designed to move beyond technical research exposure and intentionally guide students through structured commercialization and entrepreneurial readiness in the AAM ecosystem. While research remains foundational, the LaunchPad emphasis is on translating innovation into validated opportunity and responsible economic impact. Fellows are introduced to the AAM Commercialization Ecosystem (ACE) framework, which maps technologies from engagement/problem discovery through innovation and IP identification, validation (technical + customer discovery), development/prototyping, market positioning and business modeling, scaling pathways, and launch strategy/impact measurement. This provides a systems-level view of how AAM technologies move from lab work to licensed IP, startup formation, industry partnership, or government deployment.

3. AAM commercialization micro-credential (structured exercises)

• SPARC fellows participate in structured modules drawn from the AAM Commercialization & Entrepreneurship curriculum. Content includes IP identification and disclosure fundamentals; aligning Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) with market readiness; business model development across AAM use cases (e.g., logistics/cargo, public safety, infrastructure, dual-use applications); revenue strategy and capital stack literacy; government contracting pathways (e.g., SBIR/STTR, OTA, DoD and FAA alignment); and university spinout/tech transfer processes. Successful participants earn stackable micro-credentials aligned with workforce competencies in commercialization strategy, capital stack architecture, government contracting navigation, and AAM spinout/tech transfer readiness.
Example technical focus areas (project-dependent):

Vehicle modeling and simulation (dynamics, controls, performance); hardware integration and bench testing; WindShaper experiments for controlled validation/system identification; flight-test planning/support, data analysis, and reporting; and structured documentation (test plans, configuration notes, experiment logs).
Qualifications:

⭐ Candidates must be a US citizen.
⭐ Candidates must be a rising junior or senior undergraduate by Summer 2026. Due to the nature of funding sources, only domestic students will be considered.
⭐ Candidates must be pursuing an engineering degree (Mechanical/Aerospace preferred, but other relevant majors will be considered).

✅ Applicants must be willing to work hands-on in a lab environment and participate in required program activities.
✅ Preference will be given to students with experience with hardware and flight testing, specifically Pixhawk flight controllers.
✅ Experience using OpenVSP, FlightStream, MATLAB/Simulink, PX4/QGroundControl, SolidWorks, 3D printing, and/or experimental testing is highly valued.
Section 1 – Applicant Information
Name Name First Last
Email
Phone Phone - ### - ### ####
University:
Academic Standing:

Academic Standing: Rising Junior Rising Senior Other
Expected Graduation Date: Expected Graduation Date: / MM / DD YYYY
Section 2 – Research & Skills Background
Primary Technical Interests:
Relevant Coursework or Research Experience:
Software, Programming, or Laboratory Skills:
Briefly describe your interest in Advanced Air Mobility or Drone Technologies (100–200 words):
Maximum of 200 words allowed. Currently Entered: 0 words.
Section 3 – Focus Area
Please indicate your preferred area(s) of engagement (select up to two):

Please indicate your preferred area(s) of engagement (select up to two): Flight Dynamics Flight Controls Aerodynamics Propulsion Handling Qualities Flight Simulation
Section 4 -

Detailed information on program can be found on this document.
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Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis each semester.

Questions or concerns - please email launchpad@okstate.edu
Please upload the following documents -
Upload: Resume / CV (2 pages or less)
Upload: 1-2 professional references (name, title, org, email/phone)
Upload: Research Interests Statement (not to exceed 1 page)
Upload: Unofficial Transcripts

LaunchPad SPARC / Ignite Fellowship - Summer 2026

LaunchPad SPARC / Ignite Fellowship - Summer 2026

Section 1 – Applicant Information

Section 2 – Research & Skills Background

Section 3 – Focus Area

Section 4 - Detailed information on program can be found on this document.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis each semester. Questions or concerns - please email launchpad@okstate.edu

Please upload the following documents -

Section 4 -

Detailed information on program can be found on this document.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis each semester.

Questions or concerns - please email launchpad@okstate.edu