MESCyT grants scholarships to Apollo 27 team for NASA competition win

Santo Domingo.- The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Dr. Franklin García Fermín, has announced scholarships for members of the Apollo 27 team from the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC), following their performance at NASA’s 2025 Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC). The team won six awards, setting a record in the competition’s 31-year history and securing second place in the Human-Powered Rover category.

Undergraduate members of the team will receive national scholarships to complete their degrees, while graduates will be granted international scholarships to pursue master’s and doctoral studies in science, technology, engineering, and innovation fields. This initiative is part of President Luis Abinader’s broader commitment to democratize access to education and promote excellence in STEM disciplines.

Vice Minister Genaro Rodríguez Martínez praised the team for earning top awards, including the Task Challenge, Project Review, STEM Engagement, and Team Spirit awards. Mentor Ezequiel Díaz celebrated the team’s consistent success, having now earned the Team Spirit Award three years in a row. Student leader Jorge Ceballos expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s support, which he said empowers young Dominicans passionate about innovation.