2027-2028 Funding Information
Application opens: August 1, 2026
Application closes: December 1, 2026
| I want to… | Funding Opportunity | Who Should Apply? | Maximum Award | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Develop or improve a college course, curriculum, or student learning experience | Higher Education Incentives Program | Faculty & Instructional staff | $15,000 | Curriculum development, design/build/fly projects, student travel, hands-on learning |
| Launch or expand an undergraduate research program involving multiple students | Multiple Undergraduate Research Program | Faculty & Research staff | $40,000 | Multi-student research experiences where most funding supports student researchers |
| Start a new NASA-related research project or gather preliminary data | Research Seed Grant | Early-career faculty or researchers entering a new research area | $10,000 | Pilot research that leads to larger external proposals |
| Provide STEM outreach to the public, families, museums, or community groups | Informal Education Grant | Faculty, staff, museums, outreach professionals | $4,500 | Public engagement, community outreach, informal STEM education |
| Provide professional development or training for teachers | Pre-College Teacher Training Grant | Faculty, staff, education specialists | $30,000 | Teacher workshops and professional development focused on NASA/STEM |
Review the Requirements for all Opportunities
Click the title below for more information about each funding category opportunity.
The Illinois Space Grant Consortium (ILSGC) Higher Education Incentives Program supports innovative higher education initiatives that strengthen the STEM workforce and prepare students for careers that contribute to NASA’s mission and the nation’s future technical workforce needs. Funding is intended for projects that enhance undergraduate and graduate STEM education through experiential learning, workforce development, and engagement in NASA-relevant fields.
Supported activities may include course and curriculum development or enhancement, design-build-test projects, workforce preparation activities, industry and research engagement opportunities, and student participation in professional conferences or technical competitions. Projects should provide meaningful hands-on experiences that develop technical, research, problem-solving, and professional skills valued by NASA and other STEM employers.
Proposed programs should be open to undergraduate and/or graduate students, with particular encouragement given to activities that engage students early in their academic careers and strengthen pathways into STEM degree programs and careers. Priority will be given to projects that provide authentic learning experiences, foster student persistence in STEM fields, and align with areas of interest to NASA.
The Illinois Space Grant Consortium (ILSGC) Multiple Undergraduate Research Program provides funding for faculty-led undergraduate research experiences that prepare students for careers supporting NASA’s mission and the nation’s aerospace and STEM workforce.
Projects should engage multiple undergraduate students in authentic research and development activities in aerospace, physics, astronomy, planetary science, Earth system science, engineering, computer science, and other NASA-relevant STEM disciplines. The majority of the funding must be used to support undergraduate student researchers, providing them with meaningful, hands-on research experiences that develop technical, analytical, and professional skills.
Competitive proposals will provide students with opportunities to contribute to real-world research challenges, work collaboratively with faculty mentors, and strengthen the knowledge and competencies needed for future careers in NASA-related fields.
Priority will be given to projects that offer immersive research experiences, foster workforce development, and align with NASA’s mission priorities and emerging workforce needs.
The Illinois Space Grant Consortium (ILSGC) Informal Education Program provides funding for innovative STEM engagement activities that increase awareness of NASA, inspire interest in aerospace and space-related careers, and strengthen the future STEM workforce.
Projects should provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences for students, educators, families, and the public in NASA-relevant STEM disciplines, including aerospace, engineering, physics, astronomy, planetary science, Earth system science, computer science, and related fields. Activities should spark curiosity, build STEM knowledge and skills, and encourage participants to explore educational pathways and careers that support NASA’s mission.
Priority will be given to creative, interactive programs that expand access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities, foster sustained interest in NASA-related fields, and connect participants with real-world science and engineering experiences.
The Illinois Space Grant Consortium (ILSGC) Pre-College Teacher Training Program provides funding for professional development opportunities that strengthen K–12 educators’ knowledge, confidence, and ability to deliver engaging, NASA-relevant STEM instruction.
Projects should equip educators with innovative instructional strategies, hands-on learning experiences, and high-quality educational resources that can be integrated into classroom teaching. Eligible activities include the development of instructional materials, teacher workshops, professional development institutes, curriculum enhancement, and other training opportunities that incorporate NASA-related science, engineering, aerospace, Earth and space science, computer science, and technology.
Competitive proposals will prepare educators to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators by connecting classroom learning to real-world NASA missions, emerging technologies, and STEM career pathways. Programs should emphasize inquiry-based, experiential learning that encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and student engagement.
Priority will be given to projects that expand educator capacity, create sustainable classroom resources, and align with NASA’s mission and workforce development goals
The Illinois Space Grant Consortium (ILSGC) Research Seed Grant Program provides funding to help faculty establish or expand NASA-relevant research programs and build the foundation for future externally sponsored research.
Seed grants support exploratory research in aerospace engineering, Earth and space science, astronomy, planetary science, computer science, engineering, and other STEM disciplines aligned with NASA’s mission priorities. The program is intended to generate preliminary data, demonstrate proof of concept, and strengthen the competitiveness of future proposals to NASA and other federal, state, and private funding agencies.
Priority consideration will be given to pre-tenure faculty, early-career investigators, and faculty from primarily undergraduate or other non-research-intensive institutions seeking to develop new research capabilities and expand student research opportunities.
Competitive proposals will demonstrate the potential to advance NASA-relevant research while engaging students in meaningful research experiences that contribute to the development of the future STEM workforce.
Appendix A: NASA Mission Directorates
Appendix B NASA Office of STEM Engagement Goals and NASA Space Grant Objectives
Appendix C Illinois Space Grant Goals and Objectives
Contact Heidi Bjerke with any questions.