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,
The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program was established in 1988 by the
US Congress following the success of similar scholarship opportunities in the oceanic
Sea Grant and agricultural
Land Grant fields. The catch-all term Space Grant refers back to these previous federal programs. In 1989, the program was given over to
NASA, which now administers it in the same way that
NOAA 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 2.3
GPA 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 Project
The NEBP is a high-altitude, balloon launching program.[7]
eXploration Systems and Habitation (X-Hab) 2019 Academic Innovation Challenge
The 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 Scholars
Established 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 Services
The 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 Award
The 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 Services
The 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 Website
The 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 Program
The 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 Scholars
The 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 Fund
The 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]
Participating institutions
As of 2002, there are over 850 participating institutions.[18]