Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Overview

The NC Space Grant Graduate Research Fellowship supports graduate students pursuing STEM research aligned with NASA mission areas, including commercial space and research conducted through the International Space Station (ISS).

Each year, NC Space Grant awards competitive fellowships to help students advance their research while preparing for careers in space-related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

What the Fellowship Supports

Fellows receive funding to support a defined research project supervised by a faculty mentor. Research may be basic or applied and can be conducted:

• On the student’s home campus
• At an industrial or government facility
• Virtually, in accordance with university policies

Projects must have relevance to a NASA Mission Directorate, commercial space, and/or the ISS.

Fellowship Period

• Duration: 12 months
• Dates: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027

Proposed projects should be realistic to complete within this timeframe, including access to facilities, equipment, and materials. Extensions are not available.

Award Details

• Award amount: $10,000
• Number of awards: Approximately 13
• Awards are made on a competitive, merit-based basis
• Funds may be used for research-related expenses, including travel
• Awards are contingent on NASA funding and proposal quality

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be enrolled full-time (or accepted for full-time enrollment) in a STEM graduate program at an accredited North Carolina college or university by fall 2026
• Be in good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent)
• Propose a research project with relevance to NASA, commercial space, and/or the ISS

Students may receive up to two fellowships total but must apply through the competitive process each time.

Application Deadlines

• Student application deadline: 5 p.m. ET, Friday, March 13, 2026
• Faculty letter of recommendation deadline: 5 p.m. ET, Monday, March 16, 2026
• Award notifications: On or around April 30, 2026 (pending NASA funding)

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

How to Apply

Applications for the NC Space Grant Graduate Research Fellowship are submitted online through the NC Space Grant system. To complete your application, you’ll need:

• Short essays describing your proposed research project, its alignment with NASA mission areas, and anticipated career impact
• A faculty letter of recommendation that confirms your ability to carry out the research and outlines your mentorship plan
• Unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities attended

All application materials must be submitted by the stated deadlines to be considered. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

Full program guidelines, proposal requirements, and evaluation criteria are available in the official Request for Proposals (RFP).

Proposal Review

Proposals are reviewed by a panel of academic and subject-matter professionals. Reviewers may not be experts in each research area, so applicants are encouraged to present their work clearly and accessibly.

Proposals are evaluated based on:

• Research Interests and Goals (25%)
• Research Plan (35%)
• Alignment of Research to NASA Mission Directorates and the NC Space Grant Strategic Plan (10%)
• Anticipated Impact (20%)
• Letter of Recommendation (10%)

Not all highly rated proposals can be funded due to limited availability of funds.

Awardee Expectations

Graduate Research Fellows are expected to:

• Complete the proposed research project
• Submit a final research report
• Present a poster at the NC Space Grant Space Symposium at NC State University, Raleigh, NC
• Participate in required NASA and NC Space Grant reporting
• Share research experiences in public forums, educational settings, and through collaboration with the NC Space Grant communications team
• Credit NC Space Grant on presentations, posters, and social media

Recent Graduate Research Fellows

Learn more about recent fellows and their projects:

Contact