The Arizona NASA Space Grant Consortium (AZSGC) is part of The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, which was established by Congress in 1989. Space Grant contributes to the nation's science enterprise by implementing research, education, and public service projects through a national network of university-based Space Grant consortia. Space Grant consortia have been established in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Nationally, the Space Grant network has 1,250 affiliate members from academia, industry, government agencies, the military and nonprofit institutions. Twenty-six of these are members and partners of Arizona's Space Grant Consortium.
The University of Arizona NASA Space Grant Fellowship Program is just one of the many programs that AZSGC offers. The goals of the Fellowship Program are to encourage individuals to pursue graduate education in a STEM field, support NASA-related research happening at the U of A, increase the scientific outreach and communication skills of our awardees, and elevate the engagement activities our communities receive.
The University of Arizona NASA Space Grant Fellowship Program, in collaboration with the U of A Graduate College and the applicant's home department, funds up to six graduate fellowships per year to students pursuing STEM degrees at the University of Arizona. In AY25-26, awards will include full in- and out-of-state tuition coverage and a stipend of at least $15,000.
Application Tracks
The University of Arizona NASA Space Grant Fellowship Program is intended to support and retain outstanding graduate students pursuing STEM degrees. Space Grant Fellowships are competitively awarded and recognize students for their high achievements and academic merit. This includes their ability to communicate and present scientific research to the public, an important skill in sharing NASA's research with our community. The U of A Space Grant Program is offering two application tracks to receive a Space Grant Fellowship. These tracks include a "Research Track" and "Outreach Track", explained below. The U of A Space Grant Program will award up to 6 fellowships in total. The number of awards for each track will depend on the number of applications received.
Research Track
The Space Grant Fellowship research track application is for U of A graduate students whose Master's or PhD fields of study are relevant to NASA's mission, and whose research is clearly aligned with one or more NASA mission directorates or topics of interest. Research track fellows are currently (or will be at the start of the award period) working on a faculty-mentored research project that has NASA STEM relevance. This research project must be NASA-related but does not need to be funded with a NASA grant. Applicants must obtain a letter support from their faculty mentor upon applying for this award, and faculty mentors must be affiliated with the University of Arizona. Space Grant Fellows on the research track will be required to participate in 20 hours of science communication and outreach activities each semester, including approximately 3-5 (1-hour) science communication and outreach workshops. Fellows are also required to participate in the U of A Graduate Center's Grad Slam competition, a condition of receiving the Graduate College’s stipend and tuition support. By the end of the fellowship period, Space Grant Fellows on the research track must demonstrate their new or improved science communication and outreach skills through a public presentation or other similar project (conference presentation to local audiences, state audiences, K-12 outreach, professional meetings, etc).
Outreach Track
The Space Grant Fellowship outreach track application is for U of A graduate students interested in using their knowledge, skills, and interests in science communication and outreach to work on a proposed outreach project. Outreach track fellows have a clearly defined educational outreach project that they would like to pursue during the award period. Space Grant Fellows in the outreach track are interested in promoting the understanding of NASA-related research to the public. Applicants may establish a relationship with an organization or institution (i.e., a school, museum, park/forest, or an existing educational program) for their outreach project. This organization or institution does not have to be affiliated with the University of Arizona. Applicants identify an "outreach advisor" representing this organization or institution who will provide a letter of support on behalf of the applicant. Space Grant Fellows on the outreach track will be required to participate in approximately 3-5 (1-hour) science communication and outreach workshops. Fellows are also required to participate in the U of A Graduate Center's Grad Slam competition, a condition of receiving the Graduate College’s stipend and tuition support. By the end of the fellowship, Space Grant Fellows on the outreach track should have completed their proposed outreach project.
Both Tracks
Both research and outreach track applicants must obtain support from their home department and/or advisor to fund the required department cost-share for this award. This includes a department commitment of at least $5,000 as a stipend or wages (wages can come in the form of TA/RA/GA appointments) and in-state tuition coverage.
Past Projects
View our alumni database to learn more about our past funded projects. Please note that AY23-24 was the first time we have included a research track application, so most alumni bios are outreach-focused. We encourage you to think broadly with your outreach projects. We have had Fellows complete art installations, create planetarium shows, documentaries, and more!
Awards
In AY25-26, awards will include full in- and out-of-state tuition coverage and a stipend of at least $15,000. These awards are funded with Space Grant and U of A Graduate College monies, plus a required department cost-share from the applying student's home department. Specifically, awarded fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend from the Graduate College, a $5,000 stipend from the Space Grant Program, and a department commitment of at least $5,000 as stipend or wages (wages can come in the form of a TA/RA/GA appointment) for a total of $15,000. In-state tuition is covered by the student's home department, and out-of-state tuition costs are covered by the Graduate College (if needed). Mandatory U of A fees and student health insurance are not covered under this award (unless provided by the student's department) and are the responsibility of the Fellow.
Duration
Graduate fellowships are academic year-long awards. Fellows may apply for a second year of funding with sufficient evidence of effort exerted towards meeting their goals in the first year of the award. Second year applicants must apply under the 'Outreach Track', and should use the application to clearly showcase the knowledge and skills they learned in Year 1, and how that will aid them in expanding their science communication and outreach efforts in Year 2 of the award.
Application Requirements and Selection Process
The application form should be submitted to your department for review to receive the appropriate signatures required on the Department Nomination and Approval of Cost-Share form. Final applications are due by April 21, 2025, at midnight MST, and are to be sent via email to Michelle Coe (PG4gdWVycz0iem52eWdiOnpucGJyQG5ldm1iYW4ucnFoIj56bnBickBuZXZtYmFuLnJxaDwvbj4=) as one PDF document. Individual applicants or departments can submit the final application. The University of Arizona NASA Space Grant Steering Committee will select graduate fellows based on academic qualifications and the strength of their overall application. Applicants will be notified of awards by early May 2025 and must accept the award by the given deadline.
For questions regarding the application process contact Michelle Coe, Arizona Space Grant Consortium / University of Arizona Program Manager, at PG4gdWVycz0iem52eWdiOnpucGJyQG5ldm1iYW4ucnFoIj56bnBickBuZXZtYmFuLnJxaDwvbj4=.