Pan Am Flight 103 was brought down by a terrorist bomb on the evening of December 21, 1988. Killed in this tragedy were 270 individuals on the plane and from the town of Lockerbie, Scotland who were our husbands, wives, parents, children, siblings and friends. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. (VPAF 103) was formed. The goals of the organization are to: discover the truth behind the bombing, seek justice for our loved ones, ensure the airline industry maintains and improves safety measures, educate the public about this incident, and support one another. The VPAF 103 is based in the USA and, with over 400 members, is the largest organization of survivors of those lost in this tragedy.

In January 2001, after a trial held at Kamp van Zeist (Netherlands), conducted under Scottish Law with support from the U.S. Department of Justice, Libyan intelligence officer Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi was found guilty of mass murder and jailed “for life” in Scotland. In September 2009, Megrahi was released from prison on compassionate grounds; he died in Libya 3 years later. In December, 2020, Abu Agela Mas’ud was charge for his role in the bombing by the U.S. Department of Justice. That case is pending.

Accomplishments of VPAF 103, Inc.:
The members of VPAF 103, Inc. are dedicated to our goals and actively engage in work that furthers these goals. We have:
• Testified before Congressional and Senate committees regarding airline safety and State Department policies and procedures.
• Successfully lobbied the US government and at the United Nations for passage of the Aviation Security Acts of 1989 and 1990, and numerous US and UN sanction acts, and numerous other laws and resolutions directed to improved aviation security and combat state-sanctioned terrorism.
• Successfully lobbied the US government to form the President’s Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism (PCAST) in August 1989.
• Been instrumental in the formation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
• Been actively represented on the (US) Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC), which brings together all constituents of the aviation industry and flying public to advise the administrator of the TSA.
• Supported our own members emotionally and physically, as well as the victims of other terrorist attacks or air disasters, including the victims of September 11th.

The mission of the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc.’s Legacy Award is to support students pursuing advanced degrees in areas of study related to improved national security and terrorism prevention.

Advances in technology, social science research and political leadership in a changing world are valuable tools supporting the goals of the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. Students requesting financial support will be asked to submit an application explaining what they are doing to meet the goals of improving national security and preventing terrorism.

Additional information can be found at:

Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc.
https://www.victimsofpanamflight103.org/

Pan Am / Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives
https://panam103.syr.edu

• Individuals who completed their undergraduate degree in the United States, and who are or will be enrolling in a graduate program in the United States are eligible to apply. The award is contingent upon matriculation into a graduate program by the awardee.
• Successful candidates will demonstrate a capacity for leadership, have a record of high academic or professional achievement, and have clearly defined career interests with evidence of potential for professional accomplishments related to national security and terrorism prevention. All fields of study will be considered.
• Applicants with 3 or more years of professional work experience should apply for the Legacy Fellowship, which provides $5,000 for one year of graduate study.
• Applicants who are about to complete or have recently completed (within the last 3 years) an undergraduate degree should apply for the Legacy Scholarship, which provides $2,000 for one year of graduate study.


The deadline to submit this application is February 21st.

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