Our History
Our consortium is part of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (link is external), which was established by Congress in 1989 as a workforce development program in the United States that produces STEM-trained professionals. 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 over 1,000 affiliates from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, and state and local agencies. Thirteen of these are members of the Illinois Space Grant Consortium.
Consortium Profile
Expanding and retaining Illinois’ future Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workforce is the highest priority for the Illinois Space Grant Consortium (ILSGC). ILSGC’s mission is to coordinate opportunities in the STEM disciplines in pursuits aligned with the National Space Grant Program’s objectives and NASA’s Mission Directorates by inspiring, engaging, educating, and employing Illinois’ students, faculty, and the public through stimulating research, education, and outreach programs.
ILSGC invests in projects aligned with NASA’s mission and targeted toward the public, PreK-12 education, higher education, and research infrastructure, which provides opportunities that advance STEM knowledge, research, and technology throughout the state. Our network of affiliates includes eleven academic institutions and two informal education institutions, which provide NASA-unique opportunities coordinated with the NASA Mission Directorates and the needs of Illinois and its citizens. Our strongest alignments are with the Science and Space Technology Mission Directorates to develop transformative space technologies to enable future missions. Illinois’ long manufacturing, research, and engineering history allows ILSGC to support all five NASA Mission Directorates in a significant way. Illinois Space Grant Consortium funding of research projects and direct student opportunities allows us to be responsive to NASA’s mission priorities each year. Every proposal funded by ILSGC emphasizes the support of NASA’s Mission Directorates as well as a commitment to meeting Illinois’ specific needs.
National Space Grant Website
NASA Space Grant – Inspiring & preparing the next generation STEM workforce
Established by Congress in 1988 and implemented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (also known as Space Grant) contributes to the nation’s science enterprise by funding research, education, and public service projects through a national network of 52 university-based Space Grant consortia
National Space Grant Alliance
The National Space Grant Alliance Inc. (NSGA) is a nonprofit, incorporated 501(c)(4) organization whose objects and purposes are to promote the social welfare by engaging in such activities, as are permitted hereunder and under all applicable laws, to expand and enhance the capacity of the United States of America to carry out education, research, and public outreach activities in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) and additional fields, related to space, aeronautics and Earth system science.
Organization
Logo Repository
Acknowledgment Statement
Strategic Plan
Education
To enhance teaching and research participation to attract undergraduates to modern science and engineering.
- Provide undergraduate training through fellowship and scholarship awards, emphasizing awards with a student research component.
- Develop interdisciplinary courses, including introductory courses designed for undergraduate students not majoring in scientific or technological disciplines.
- Develop advanced design and systems courses to provide linkage with the graduate program.
- Develop community college initiatives to promote continued progress in education.
- Focus on involving underrepresented groups, women, and persons with disabilities.
- Help attract resources that will provide high-quality classroom and laboratory facilities.
Research
To provide strong academic training through research experiences focused on aerospace science and engineering.
- Provide graduate student support in critical targeted areas through fellowships.
- Capture new faculty participation in research with NASA centers.
- Initiate inter-consortium disciplinary projects.
- Implement research activities linked to industry.
- Focus on involving underrepresented groups, women, and persons with disabilities.
- Collaborate with industry.
Outreach
To enhance pre-college students’ and the general public’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills and knowledge.
- Establish a pipeline to education institutions of Illinois.
- Enhance precollege teacher education programs with an emphasis on STEM fields.
- Provide information and activities to increase public appreciation for the direct and indirect benefits of NASA-sponsored research.
- Focus on involving underrepresented groups, women, and persons with disabilities.