About Us

NC Space Grant was established in 1991 and is administered at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C. NC Space Grant is one of 52 programs across the nation federally authorized by Public Law 100-147, passed by Congress in 1987, and implemented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This long-standing federal-state partnership between NASA and the state of North Carolina brings an impressive capacity to NASA and the nation through leveraging research, education, outreach and products that have relevance and transferability at the state, regional and national levels.

NC Space Grant is a state-wide network of North Carolina higher-education institutions, industries, government entities, educational programs and nonprofit partners with NASA-related interests. These partners, and others across the state, work collaboratively to promote, develop and support space-related STEM research, education and public outreach across North Carolina.

NC Space Grant programmatic research, education and outreach opportunities are regularly updated through multiple avenues. To confirm the direction of our current program and pursue new priorities, we seek input from the NC Space Grant Advisory Board, higher-education institutions within North Carolina, state and federal government leaders, subject matter experts, educational program leaders, industry partners, non-governmental entities, program alumni and other key stakeholders, in accordance with NASA priorities.

NC Space Grant is committed to executing the program based on core values including: supporting sound science through merit-based peer review; developing a pathways for students trained across multiple disciplines; transferring information in an unbiased and transparent manner to a range of audiences; and collaborating with a range of partners and communities that represent diverse needs across North Carolina.

NC Space Grant strives for inclusive and state-wide engagement. Our competitively awarded higher education opportunities are open to students and faculty at any accredited university in the State of North Carolina who meet eligibility requirements.

NC Space Grant champions diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by proactively recruiting and training a diverse student and faculty population, as well as engaging a diverse range of public audiences across the state. We engage and serve communities that are representative of the populations where our programs operate.

View a student testimonial about how NC Space Grant supports students to impact career pathways in STEM.

NC Space Grant is funded in part by a NASA cooperative agreement.