Aerospace Outreach Program

Aerospace Outreach Program is sponsored by Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (National Space Grant Foundation network). Offers planning and enhancement grants to support pre-college (K-12) and public outreach projects designed to increase interest, recruitment, and training in aerospace science, design, and technology.

Aerospace Outreach Program | Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium | Carthage College Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium WSGC Student Spotlight: Cecilia Degenhard Congratulations to this week’s #WSGCStudentSpotlight, Cecilia Degenhard! Cecilia is the recipient of a WSGC Second Stage Space Sciences Scholarship and is currently a Sophomore studying Geoscience and History at Carthage College.

WSGC Student Spotlight: George Kharchilava Congratulations to this week’s #WSGCStudentSpotlight, George Kharchilava! George is the recipient of a WSGC Graduate and Professional Research Fellowship and is currently a Ph. D.

Student studying Astrophysics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Aerospace Outreach Program Announcement of Opportunity January 1-August 31, 2027 July 1, 2027-May 31, 2028 Aerospace Outreach Program Announcement of Opportunity Award Amount: Up to $5,000 (subject to funding availability) Minimum Mandatory Cost-Share Requirement: 1:1 The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) Aerospace Outreach Program supports new or ongoing projects that advance STEM engagement and outreach aligned with NASA Mission Directorates.

• Promote STEM literacy and awareness of NASA’s mission. • Build linkages between formal and informal STEM education providers. • Increase interest and participation in STEM through community-based programming.

• Create pipelines for participants into other WSGC programs. • Define clear, measurable project outcomes.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria: Alignment with NASA Mission Directorates and Educational Standards (25%) Focus Area: Human Spaceflight, Research and Technology, Science, or Mission Support Key Considerations: Clear connection to at least one NASA Mission Directorate; alignment with state and national standards Project Plan Quality & Feasibility (25%) Focus Area: Clarity, Quality, Feasibility, and Innovation Key Considerations: Well-developed work plan; realistic timeline; clear activities; innovative approach; strong organizational capacity Assessment Plan & Lasting Impact (30%) Focus Area: Logic Model and Measurement Strategy Key Considerations: Clear, measurable outcomes; evidence-based evaluation plan; potential for sustained impact and pipeline creation Budget Reasonableness & Cost Share (20%) Focus Area: Budget Narrative & Justification Key Considerations: Realistic cost estimates; clear justification; documented 1:1 cost-share; reasonable quarterly spend-down plan 4 (Exemplary): Exceeds expectations; addresses all criteria comprehensively 3 (Proficient): Meets expectations; addresses most criteria effectively 2 (Developing): Partially meets expectations; some concern(Needs Development: Does not meet expectations; significant gaps 1 (Needs Development): Does not meet expectations; significant gaps This funding opportunity is made available for the pursuit of space-related research and/or activities through the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program: NASA Educational Cooperative Agreement #80NSSC25M7122.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this award is 43. 008. All awards are fully competitive awards of opportunity in which applications are reviewed by the WSGC Technical Advisory Panel and other experts as needed.

Awards are made by the Assistant Director based on recommendations from the Associate Director. Current & Past Award Recipients Create a NASA STEM Gateway account: nasa. gov/public/s/login/ Create a WSGC account: carthage.

edu/about/login/ Application Requirements: Applicants must represent an established organization in one of the following categories: K-12 or higher education institutions Private companies or for-profit organizations Nonprofit aerospace associations Supporting Materials Required with Application: Proposal (≤15 pages), including: Sponsoring organization information Project goals, activities, and value (1-2 pages) Anticipated participants (with demographics, including underrepresented groups) (≤500 words) Project overview (≤3 pages) Work plan, schedule, self-evaluation criteria, and anticipated outputs All projects must include a plan to present at the Wisconsin Space Conference.

Budget/Use of Funds (using WSGC Budget Template with quarterly spend-down plan) Travel to the Wisconsin Space Conference A minimum 1:1 cost-share commitment is required. Overhead is not funded (but may be included as cost-share). Purchase of capital items and equipment is generally not supported.

Laptops require pre-approval and must demonstrate use solely for the funded grant. Visits by active astronauts cannot be funded. Field trips may be supported only as a minor project component.

Travel will be considered if fundamentally important to the project. Foreign travel is generally not allowable. Award Acceptance Components: All applicants must complete a logic model as part of their proposal.

The logic model helps clarify the relationship between program resources, activities, and intended outcomes.

Budget/Use of Funds (using WSGC Budget Template with quarterly spend-down plan) Allowable expenses include, but are not limited to: Personnel costs (salaries, wages, stipends) Program materials and supplies Travel (Including presenting at the Wisconsin Space Conference in August) Professional development and training Program meals and refreshments Overhead as cost-share contribution (not grant funded) Unallowable expenses include, but are not limited to: Laptop computers (pre-approval required with demonstrated dedicated use) Visits by active astronauts Foreign travel (generally not allowable) Please direct questions about the Aerospace Outreach Program to: Associate Director for Aerospace Outreach Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium E-mail: amy.

prevost@btci. org Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha WI 53140 E-mail: spacegrant@carthage. edu This funding opportunity is made available for the pursuit of space-related research and/or activities through the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program: NASA Educational Cooperative Agreement #80NSSC20M0123.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this award is 43. 008. Award recipients are subject to the terms of this award.

All awards are fully competitive awards of opportunity in which applications are reviewed by the WSGC Technical Advisory Panel and other experts as needed. Awards are made by the Assistant Director based on recommendations from the Associate Director. Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium WSGC Student Spotlight: Cecilia Degenhard Congratulations to this week’s #WSGCStudentSpotlight, Cecilia Degenhard!

Cecilia is the recipient of a WSGC Second Stage Space Sciences Scholarship and is currently a Sophomore studying Geoscience and History at Carthage College. WSGC Student Spotlight: George Kharchilava Congratulations to this week’s #WSGCStudentSpotlight, George Kharchilava! George is the recipient of a WSGC Graduate and Professional Research Fellowship and is currently a Ph.

D. Student studying Astrophysics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.