National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program – Opportunities in NASA STEM FY 2020 – 2024
🏛 National Aeronautics and Space Administration
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for NASA Space Grant Lead Institutions and Consortia pursuing multi-year cooperative awards in STEM education. Eligible organizations must be Space Grant Lead Institutions as designated by NASA. All participating institutions, whether prime award recipients or partners, must register in NSPIRES before proposal submission.
Electronic submission via NSPIRES is required and must come from an authorized organizational representative. All principal investigators and co-investigators must also register in NSPIRES. The program supports activities that connect students to NASA's aeronautics, space, and science work while building a diverse future workforce.
Projects should align with NASA's STEM Education office priorities and Mission Directorate collaborations. The award is a cooperative agreement, indicating active NASA partnership in project implementation.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
This Cooperative Agreement Notice is a multi-year award thataims to contribute to NASA’s mission, Office of STEM Education priorities,Co-STEM goals, Mission Directorate collaborations, and state based needs. The multi-year award will be available to allSpace Grant Consortia who will work with the Office of STEM Engagement tofulfill these objectives. Through thecombined efforts of the Space Grant Consortia, this program will 1) enablecontributions to NASA’s work, 2) build a diverse, skilled future workforce, and3) strengthen understanding of STEM through powerful connections to NASA. The program will focus on providingopportunities for students to engage with NASA’s aeronautics, space, andscience people, content, and facilities in support of a diverse future NASA andaerospace industry workforce, as well as, providingopportunities for students to contribute to NASA’s aeronautics, space, andscience missions and work in exploration and discovery through MissionDirectorate collaborations.
Everyinstitution that intends to submit a proposal to this NRA, including theproposed prime award or any partner whether an education institution, and otherorganizations that will serve as sub-awardees or contractors, must be registered in NSPIRES. Electronicsubmission of proposals is required by the due date and must be submitted byan authorized official of the proposing organization. Such registrationmust identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submitthe electronic proposal. All principal investigators and other participants(e.g. co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of submissionsystem. Potential proposers and proposing organizations are urged to accessthe system(s) well in advance of the proposal due date(s) of interest tofamiliarize themselves with its structure and enter the requested information.Electronic proposals may be submitted via the NASA proposal data systemNSPIRES. Additional programmatic information for this NRAmay develop before the proposal due date. If so, such information will be addedas a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) or formal amendment to this NRA and postedon http://nspires.nasaprs.com. It is the proposer’s responsibility to regularly check NSPIRESfor updates to this NRA.
P oint of Contact
Name: Erica J. Alston
Title: Deputy Space GrantProgram Manager
Phone: 757-864-7247
E-mail: SGCFP@nasaprs.com
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- HBCU
- HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution)
- Public University
- TCU (Tribal Colleges)
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSPIRES Registration for all institutions and participants
- Proposal narrative
- Budget and budget justification
- Organizational information and authorized representative designation
- Evidence of Space Grant Lead Institution status
Program contact
- 👤 Trina Haffelfinger Administrative Systems Analyst
- 📧 SGCFP@nasaprs.com
- 📞 301-286-6638
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 43.008 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$156,725,920
-
$127,431,525
-
$29,940,284
-
$24,155,260
-
$20,929,410
-
$9,011,077
-
$8,970,242
-
$6,944,970
-
$6,203,240
-
$5,185,194
Top States by Funding
- AL 2 awards $161.0M
- VA 3 awards $133.9M
- MD 7 awards $78.3M
- OK 4 awards $41.2M
- TX 4 awards $15.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 43.008). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $25,293,802 | |
| 2025 | $29,010,174 | |
| 2026 est. | $34,280,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Space Grant Lead Institutions and NASA Space Grant Consortia can apply. All participating organizations must be registered in NSPIRES before submitting.
How do I submit a proposal?
Proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative. Registration in NSPIRES is required well in advance of the deadline.
What types of projects does this program support?
Projects that connect students to NASA's aeronautics, space, and science missions. Activities should build a diverse workforce and strengthen STEM understanding through NASA partnerships.
What is the funding range for awards?
Awards can reach up to $700,000, though the exact amount depends on proposal scope and program priorities.
When should I check for updates to the grant requirements?
Check NSPIRES regularly for FAQs and formal amendments. Program information may be added before the proposal deadline.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Register all participants in NSPIRES well before the deadline to avoid technical delays. Include principal investigators, co-investigators, and authorized representatives.
- Clearly connect your project to NASA's STEM Education office priorities and Mission Directorate collaborations. Emphasize diversity and workforce development goals.
- Highlight how your institution will leverage NASA's people, content, and facilities to engage students. Provide specific examples of NASA partnerships or resources you'll use.
- Address both student engagement outcomes and contributions to NASA's aeronautics, space, and science missions. Show dual impact.
- Monitor NSPIRES regularly for updates and FAQs throughout the application period. Program requirements may evolve before the deadline.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to register all participants in NSPIRES early enough, causing submission delays or disqualification. Not clearly demonstrating alignment with NASA STEM Education priorities and Mission Directorate goals. Proposing activities that lack meaningful connection to NASA's actual work or facilities.
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