For the second year running, JSSI and the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Foundation are partnering to award the JSSI Aviation Innovation Grant, $5,000 in funding plus mentorship from industry leaders, to a college student with a bold, forward-thinking idea that has the potential to shape the future of business aviation.
Following a successful inaugural year, the grant returns to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical problem-solving, providing students with the resources and guidance to transform promising concepts into real-world impact. Applications are open now through July 15, 2026.
The caliber and creativity of submissions in year one affirmed what JSSI and the IADA Foundation set out to do: find the emerging talent and bold ideas that will define the next chapter of business aviation. The goal has always been to create a direct pathway for students to move beyond the idea stage and start building something that matters.
What the Grant Covers
The JSSI Aviation Innovation Grant provides one student with $5,000 in funding to advance an aviation-focused idea, along with structured mentorship from JSSI and access to the IADA Foundation’s industry network. Whether that means developing a minimum viable product, conducting market research, launching a website, or engaging the right advisors, the goal is to fund a meaningful next step.
The strongest submissions will share a few things in common: a clearly defined problem, a practical and original approach to solving it, and a specific plan for how the funding will be used. Judges are looking for ideas with genuine industry relevance, not just ambition.
Award: $5,000
Application window: April 1 through July 15, 2026
Award presentation: IADA Fall Meeting, October 19, 2026
Who Should Apply
The grant is open to current undergraduate and master’s-level students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher, and most importantly, with an idea worth pursuing.
Innovation in business aviation doesn’t fit one mold. Past submissions have ranged across technology, sustainability, operational efficiency, and new business models. If you’ve identified a gap in the industry and have a vision for closing it, this grant was designed for you.
Investing in the People who will Move the Industry Forward
Business aviation is evolving quickly, and the ideas needed to drive that evolution don’t always originate from within the industry. Supporting students who are thinking seriously about these challenges is how JSSI and the IADA Foundation are helping ensure the talent pipeline keeps pace.
“At JSSI, we believe the future of business aviation will be shaped by bold ideas and the people courageous enough to pursue them” said Neil Book, Chairman and CEO of JSSI. “By partnering with the IADA Foundation, we’re investing in the next generation of aviation leaders who will challenge, drive progress, and redefine what’s possible in our industry.”
For JSSI, this is an extension of something the company has built its business on: the belief that the right tools and support at the right time can change outcomes. The grant applies that same thinking to emerging talent.
Thirty Years of Industry Reach, Behind Every Recipient
The IADA Foundation brings over 30 years of commitment to developing business aviation professionals. Its network of accredited dealers, advisors, and industry leaders creates a platform that goes well beyond funding, connecting grant recipients with mentors and decision-makers across the industry.
“Our partnership with JSSI allows us to build on that legacy in a meaningful way, expanding our reach beyond traditional scholarships to also support the entrepreneurs and innovators who will shape our industry’s future,” said Suzanne Miners Levy, Chair of the IADA Foundation. “JSSI’s vision for fostering that spirit, combined with our established network, makes this a partnership that benefits everyone.”
Grant recipients participate in two structured mentorship check-ins with a dedicated JSSI mentor throughout the year, designed to keep momentum going long after the award is made.
The 2025 Grant Winner
Tyler Kleinsasser, a student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, was selected as the inaugural recipient for his concept of a performance analytics platform tailored to smaller aviation businesses, including charter operators, fixed based operators (FBOs), and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers. His concept aims to close a critical gap in the industry by offering accessible, aviation‑specific business intelligence tools, empowering smaller operators with performance and financial insights typically available only to larger enterprises.
What set his submission apart wasn’t just the idea, but the thinking behind it. Kleinsasser identified a real, underserved segment of the industry and built a credible case for why it mattered.
“This opportunity allows me to take a concept that’s been on paper and start turning it into something that can help real aviation businesses,” said Kleinsasser. “My goal is to give smaller operators the same kind of performance and financial insights that larger companies already have access to. I’m incredibly grateful to JSSI and the IADA Foundation for believing in that vision.”
Kleinsasser’s reflection underscores the grant’s mission: to help students move beyond ideas and take tangible steps toward solutions that can positively impact the business aviation ecosystem.
How to Apply
The application is straightforward. No lengthy business plan required. JSSI and the IADA Foundation are looking for a clear problem, a compelling concept, and a practical plan for funding.
Here’s what to submit:
- Lean Canvas: A structured problem statement outlining your concept, the market opportunity, and your business case
- Short Essay (500 words or less): How would you use the $5,000? Be specific. Whether that’s building an MVP, running a survey, hiring a designer, or securing a mentor
- Eligibility: Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program with a minimum 3.3 GPA
Applications are open now through July 15, 2026. Apply here.
Questions? Contact Erika Ingle, Managing Director at IADA: [email protected] | +1 (866) 284-4744
Selection Process
All applications are reviewed by the IADA Foundation Board. From there, the top two candidates are invited to present their concept directly to JSSI leadership for final review, feedback, and selection. It’s a process designed to give finalists real exposure to industry decision-makers, not just a committee evaluation.
Recipients are expected to accept the award at the IADA Annual Meeting in October (in person or virtually), participate in two mentorship check-ins with their assigned JSSI mentor throughout the year, and be featured in a press release and on social media alongside their winning concept.
The Runway is Yours
Aviation has always moved forward because someone saw a problem worth solving. If you’ve found yours, the JSSI Aviation Innovation Grant is your place to start.
Apply by July 15 and take the first step toward building something real.
