Overview

The NC Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholarship supports undergraduate students pursuing STEM research aligned with NASA mission areas, including commercial space and the International Space Station (ISS).

Each year, NC Space Grant awards competitive scholarships to help students gain hands-on research experience while preparing for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

What the Scholarship Supports

Scholarship funding helps students carry out a defined, faculty-mentored research project. Research may 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.

Scholarship Period

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

Projects should be feasible to complete within this timeframe, including access to facilities, equipment, and materials. Extensions are not available.

Award Details

• Award amount: $8,000 per student
• Number of awards: Approximately 10
• Awards are competitive and merit-based
• Funds may cover 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 bachelor’s program at an accredited North Carolina college or university for fall 2026
• Be in good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA)
• Propose a research project with relevance to NASA, commercial space, and/or the ISS
• Students in dual-degree engineering programs are eligible
• Applicants may receive up to two scholarships in total but must reapply 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 Undergraduate Research Scholarship 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, STEM interests, and anticipated academic or 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 on:

• Research Description and Goals (35%)
• Alignment of Research to NASA Mission Directorates and the NC Space Grant Strategic Plan (15%)
• STEM Research (10%)
• Anticipated Academic and Career Impacts (25%)
• Faculty Recommendation Letter (15%)

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

Awardee Expectations

Scholarship recipients 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 Undergraduate Research Scholars

Learn more about recent scholars and their projects:

Contact