Overview

North Carolina Space Grant (NCSG) invites proposals from North Carolina Community Colleges to develop and expand faculty-mentored undergraduate research experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

The Community College Undergraduate Research Pathways Program (RPP) builds institutional capacity for undergraduate research across North Carolina’s community colleges. By engaging students in authentic faculty-mentored STEM research experiences, the program strengthens educational pathways, supports workforce development, and contributes to NASA’s mission of developing the next generation of scientists, engineers, technicians, and innovators.

This funding opportunity encourages colleges to leverage the existing North Carolina Community College’s undergraduate research courses and research initiatives to broaden participation in undergraduate research.

Program Goals

The Community College RPP seeks to:

• Expand undergraduate research opportunities at North Carolina community colleges.
• Increase student participation in faculty-mentored STEM research.
• Strengthen institutional capacity to sustain undergraduate research programs.
• Promote transfer pathways from community colleges to four-year college or university STEM degree programs.
• Support workforce development aligned with NASA Mission Directorates and NCSG strategic priorities.
• Foster partnerships among community colleges, universities, industry, and other workforce partners.
• Encourage dissemination of student research through professional presentations and publications.

Priority Areas

Projects that align with emerging statewide STEM workforce priorities—including transportation, aviation, aerospace technologies, engineering, engineering technologies, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, computer science, data science, environmental science, and other STEM fields—are especially encouraged. Projects involving allied health sciences are not eligible under NASA funding guidelines.

In addition, projects that engage veterans or students in 2+2 transfer pathways with four-year colleges/universities are also encouraged. Proposals should demonstrate how their project contributes to long-term institutional capacity for undergraduate research.

Requirements

Eligible applicants include all colleges within the North Carolina Community College System.

• Projects responding to this RFP must:
• Include faculty-mentored undergraduate STEM research.
• Engage currently enrolled community college students.
• Take place during the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Comply with all NASA and NC Space Grant funding requirements.
• Require students participating in funded projects to present their research at the NC Space Symposium on April 9, 2027. Given the short project period, students may present either an overview of their research project or their research findings.

For full program details, eligibility guidelines, and application instructions, please review the complete

Contacts

Please send any questions about this opportunity to:

Jobi Cook, Associate Director, NC Space Grant

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 919-515-5933

Michelle Lair, State Director of Student Success, NC Community College System Office

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 919-807-7227