Thespace-grant colleges are educational institutions in the United States that comprise a network of fifty-threeconsortia established in 1988 for the purpose ofouter space-related research.[1] Each consortium is based in one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia,Puerto Rico, andGuam.[2] Each consists of multiple independent space-grant institutions, with one of the institutions acting as lead.
Establish and maintain a national network of universities with interests and capabilities inaeronautics,outer space, and related fields;
Encourage cooperative programs among universities, theaerospace industry, and federal, state, and local governments;
Encourage interdisciplinary training, research, andpublic service programs related to aerospace;
Recruit and train U.S. citizens, especially women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities, for careers in aerospace science and technology; and,
Promote a strong science, mathematics, and technology education base from elementary through secondary levels.
The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program was established in 1988 by theUnited States Congress following the success of similar scholarship opportunities in the oceanicSea Grant and agriculturalLand Grant fields. The catch-all term Space Grant refers back to these previous federal programs. In 1989, the program was given over toNASA, which administers it in the same way thatNOAA administers Sea Grant.
Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST)BLAST is a three-day summer event that takes place at Virginia's Old Dominion University. This free,STEM-centered event, is available to 8th and 9th graders with a 2.3GPA or better.[6] BLAST's purpose is to show the students the interesting aspects of STEM to those who are unsure whether they want to be involved in STEM or not.
Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning ProjectThe NEBP is a high-altitude, balloon launching program.[7]
eXploration Systems and Habitation (X-Hab) 2019 Academic Innovation ChallengeThe eXploration Systems and Habitation (X-Hab) challenge seeks better the academic and technological abilities of university students. It utilizes hands-on training in the implementation of space habitats for deep space missions.[8] There is an Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Division where university students can compete to win awards worth $15,000–50,000 for a functional design that the AES finds useful and, or, interesting.[8]
John Mather Nobel ScholarsEstablished in 2008, the John Mather Nobel Scholars is a scholarship program open to NASA-Goddard Space Flight.[9] The program provides $3,000 so that a chosen participant can share their research paper with NASA professionals. To be a part of this program, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is necessary along with being a junior or higher.
NASA KSC Higher Education Support ServicesThe NASA/Kennedy Space Center Higher Education Support Services supports college grade Higher Education competitions.[10] Such competitions entail internships, senior design projects, and selective grants.
National Space Grant Distinguished Service AwardThe National Space Grant Distinguished Service Award was created by Josh Simpson and is awarded to students who will have an impact in a STEM field related to NASA's mission/goals.[11]
Space Grant Support ServicesThe goal of the Space Grant Support Services is to better the Space Grant network. The Space Grant Support Services supports the Space Grant network in many different ways from an economical view to a public view.[12]
Space Systems Engineering WebsiteThe Space Systems Engineering Website is a free, six-week, online course that allows students to work and learn with NASA's engineers.[13] Course materials will always be accessible and students are able to use the learned resources in any way they please.
Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology ProgramThe Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Program is a one-week, online, STEM summer program. The program focuses on NASA-related research provided by NASA's STEM professionals.[14]
Virginia Commonwealth STEM Industry Internship Program (CSIIP)The Virginia Commonwealth STEM Industry Internship Program or CSIIP, provides an online internship application system for STEM majors.[10] This was done for the people to meet the increasing demand for citizens with STEM majors.
Virginia Earth System Science ScholarsThe Virginia Earth System Science Scholars is a STEM-centered program where participants participate with NASA's professional researchers.[15] The Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) program is an online, week long, STEM-centered program that focuses on the study of NASA's missions.[16]
William A Hiscock Space Grant Scholarship FundThe William A Hiscock Space Grant Scholarship Fund was created "in memory of William Hiscock, the former director of the Montana Space Grant."[10] Due to his efforts, many NASA ballooning centered programs were created.[17]
