NASA Headquarters: Enhancing STEM Programs at Community Colleges and Technical Schools

Established under Title II of the NASA Authorization Act in 1988, the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) is a national network of 52 individual state-based consortia that fund aerospace-related research, education, and public service projects. Space Grant also funds fellowships and scholarships for students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), as well as curriculum enhancement and faculty development programs. Member colleges and universities also administer pre-college and public service education programs in their states. Space Grant expands opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space programs.

Based on the availability of funding, NASA will continue to help consortia achieve these goals through NASA Space Grant. Funded consortia will be selected through a merit-based, peer-review competition. Proposals will be accepted from the lead institutions of the Space Grant consortia in each state plus the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

The following are the specific objectives of NASA Space Grant:

* Establish and maintain a national network of universities with interests and capabilities in aeronautics, outer space and related fields; * Encourage cooperative programs among universities, aerospace industry, and federal, state and local governments; * Encourage interdisciplinary training, research and public 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.

This solicitation seeks to a) attract/retain more community college and technical college students into STEM-based academic programs; b) increase educators’ ability to deliver NASA STEM content; c) create or enhance strategic relationships between the awarded institution and NASA Centers and/or other industry or STEM partners; d) build capability of the awarded institution to incorporate NASA STEM content into its curricula and course offerings; and e) increase the number of students that complete their two (2) year Associate’s degree from a community college or technical school and obtain employment in a STEM career; f) increase the number of community college and technical college STEM graduates and transfers into four-year institutions. Accredited community colleges and technical schools participating in this program are required to provide a statement of collaboration with the lead institution’s proposal submission to NASA.

While proposals can be accepted only from institutions for which the NASA Space Grant Directors are currently serving, all institutions of higher education within the consortia should be given the opportunity and be made aware of the FY 2014 NASA Space Grant CAN.

Agency Name

NASA Headquarters

Description

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Education, in cooperation with NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD), Science Mission Directorates (SMD), the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), NASA’s field centers and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, solicit proposals for NASA Space Grant.

This CAN is available in electronic form through the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) and through Grants.gov.

To access the CAN through NSPIRES, go to http://nspires.nasaprs.com and click on Solicitations.
To access the CAN through Grants.gov, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/agency.do and select the link for NASA.