NCSGC Undergraduate Research Scholarships
North Carolina Space Grant Consortium
Award: $8,000
Deadline: Mar 17, 2026
To support students who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields that support NASA’s Mission Directorates. Qualifications: Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a program of study in STEM and propose a specific, research project relevant to a NASA Mission Directorate, commercial space, and/or the ISS U.S. National Lab; Undergraduate Research Scholarship applicants must meet the following requirements: a United States citizen; Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics (STEM) discipline of interest to NASA, commercial space, or the ISS; currently enrolled, or accepted to be enrolled, in fall current year as a full-time student at an accredited university or college in the State of North Carolina during the current year-next year academic year; students enrolled in an accredited Dual Engineering Degree program are eligible to apply; Students who drop below full-time status are no longer eligible to receive funding; applicants are eligible to receive a total of two Undergraduate Research Scholarships during their academic studies. Selection criteria: Selection will be based merit, recognizing high academic achievement and promise. How to apply: Applicants must be submit online nomination form; essay questions; Research Description and Goals: In applicants own words, describe the research project that applicants will be conducting; description should include but not be limited to a description of the research, research goals, and a plan to carry out the research; a timeline for research implementation should be included in the proposed research plan; deviations from a 12-month plan must be included in the online application essay and discussed with the NC Space Grant point-of-contact listed at the end of the RFP in advance of award; alignment of Research to NASA Mission Directorates AND the NC Space Grant Strategic Plan: Identify which NASA Mission Directorate(s) applicants research project aligns with and describe how applicants research will contribute to the mission of that Directorate(s), commercial space, and/or the ISS; NASA Mission Directorates: Aeronautics Research Exploration Systems; DevelopmentScienceSpace Operations; Space Technology; Describe how applicants research project supports the NC Space Grant Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan; STEM Research: Describe applicants interests in a NASA-related STEM field of study and how this research project supports applicants academic pursuits; anticipated Impacts: Describe how the proposed research project will be a springboard to pursuing applicants future academic and/or career interests and pathways; Faculty Recommendation Letter: Applicants should request a faculty member write and submit a letter of recommendation that addresses knowledge of the student or level of confidence in the student’s ability to conduct the proposed research and a plan to mentor/guide the student’s research; University Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts from all institutions and from the current institution with grades through fall 1 year before are required and can be submitted as a PDF in the online application. Focus: Aerospace sciences.
Eligibility
- States: NC