Arthur Benson, a University of Kansas rising senior and Free State High School alum, is a 2026-2027 Astronaut Scholar.
The $15,000 Astronaut Scholarship is given to about 60 sophomores and juniors each year for strong performance in STEM fields, as well as experience in and commitment to research careers.
Benson is a chemical engineering major with a concentration in data science and a minor in music, according to a KU news release. He wants to pursue a PhD in chemical engineering focused on hybrid energy storage systems following his graduation next year.
“I am extremely grateful for all the career development opportunities offered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation,” Benson said in the release. “The connections I make with astronauts, industry leaders and fellow scholars will be invaluable during my graduate studies and throughout my career.”
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was created in 1986 by the six surviving members of the Mercury 7 project. In addition to the funds, Benson will join a lifelong network of astronauts and scholarship recipients and get a paid trip to ASF’s Innovators Symposium & Gala.
At KU, Benson has researched refrigerant flammability and two areas of molecular modeling. He was also selected for a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, where he studied a process for sustainable hydrogen production at the University of California, Irvine.
Benson’s research has been shared in two peer-reviewed publications, and he has won academic awards at KU such as designation as a 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholar and the Outstanding Junior in Chemical Engineering.
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