Atmospheric and Stratospheric Balloon Program
Quick Facts
- Agency
- NASA
- Funding
- $500,000 - $4,000,000
- Deadline
- April 30, 2026 (80 days remaining)
- Status
- Active
- Eligibility
- Universities, research organizations, industry partners
About This Grant
Atmospheric and Stratospheric Balloon Program is sponsored by NASA. NASA funds scientific balloon missions and platform technologies at ultra-high altitudes, extending to hybrid aerostat systems using hydrogen for long-duration flights. This program should be reviewed carefully against your organization's mission, staffing capacity, timeline, and compliance readiness before you commit resources to a full application. Strong submissions usually translate sponsor priorities into concrete objectives, clear implementation milestones, and measurable public benefit.
For planning purposes, treat April 30, 2026 as your working submission target unless the sponsor publishes an updated notice. A competitive project plan should include a documented need statement, implementation approach, evaluation framework, risk controls, and a realistic budget narrative. Even when a grant allows broad program design, reviewers still expect credible evidence that the proposed work can be executed within the grant period and with appropriate accountability.
Current published award information indicates $500,000 - $4,000,000 Organizations should verify the final funding range, matching requirements, and allowability rules directly in the official opportunity materials before preparing a budget. Finance and program teams should align early so direct costs, indirect costs, staffing assumptions, procurement timelines, and reporting obligations all remain consistent throughout drafting and post-award administration.
Eligibility guidance for this opportunity is: Universities, research organizations, industry partners If your organization has partnerships, subrecipients, or collaborators, define responsibilities and compliance ownership before submission. Reviewers often look for implementation credibility, so letters of commitment, prior performance evidence, and a clear governance model can materially strengthen the application narrative and reduce concerns about delivery risk.
A practical approach is to begin with a focused readiness review, then build a workback schedule from the sponsor deadline. Confirm required attachments, registration dependencies, and internal approval checkpoints early. This reduces last-minute issues and improves submission quality. For the most accurate requirements, always rely on the official notice and primary source links associated with Atmospheric and Stratospheric Balloon Program.
Official Opportunity Details
Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
High-Altitude Balloon Research Scholarship | Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium | Carthage College Institutional Representative Duties Calendar of Opportunities Undergraduate Scholarships Collegiate Rocket Launch Competition Launch 2 Learn Rocket Certification Workshop Clark Research Fellowship National Competitions and Programs Artemis Student Challenge: FNL Archives Rocket Instructional Videos/Webinars Research Infrastructure/SEED Program Higher Education Incentives Industry Internship Program Simpson Street Free Press 2022 Midwest Regional Meeting Awardee Engagement Reach Report Awardee Publications, Presentations, Patents and Technology Transfers Faculty: Awardee Impact Report Outreach: Awardee Impact Report Alumni: Share Your Space Grant Story Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Calendar of Opportunities Undergraduate Scholarship Collegiate Rocket Launch Competition Launch 2 Learn Rocket Workshop Other WSGC Funded Programs Aerospace Industry Program WSGC Student Spotlight: Isaac Laseter Congratulations to this week’s WSGC Student Spotlight, Isaac Laseter!
Isaac 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-Madison.
WSGC Student Spotlight: Gwenyth Heidinger Congratulations to this week’s WSGC Student Spotlight, Gwenyth Heidinger! Gwenyth is the recipient of an Undergraduate Research Scholarship and is currently a Junior studying Geology at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
High-Altitude Balloon Research Scholarship Student Satellite Initiatives High-Altitude Balloon Research Scholarship Program Applications Open:  December 3, 2021 Submission Deadline: February 14, 2022    March 14, 2022 Award Announcements: April 1, 2022 Work Period: June 1, 2022 - Sept.
 15, 2022 Awards:    *$4,000 stipend – student research scholarship (maximum four (4) students)                 *$5,000 stipend – student research scholarship team lead (one (1) returning student)                  Lodging at the Milwaukee School of Engineering dorms or a commuter parking pass (optional)      * Based on availability of funds.
High-Altitude Balloon Payload Scholarship Program Announcement of Opportunity Purpose:  The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) is looking for 4-5 full-time undergraduate students from affiliate member institution majoring in a science or engineering discipline to join the science payload team of our high-altitude balloon project; Interested students do not need to have experience, a pre-formed team or an initial idea for a payload project.
  Interested students do need a desire to work with other students to conceive of and carry out a payload project.   WSGC will assemble the team from selected applicants and provide a mentor. Program: The Student Satellite Initiatives High-Altitude Balloon Research Program is an innovative NASA project that provides students an opportunity to fly science experiments in a near-space environment.
  Selected students will form a collaborative team of science and engineering specials, whose task will be to design and build a payload to be launched from a high-altitude balloon that will ascend up to 100,000 feet or more.
  Students will be expected to define an important science question or set of questions that might be addressed by a high-altitude balloon flight; and then with the assistance of mentors, design and build a science-driven payload.
  Students will design and build the science experiments to fly in this environment; launch their payload; track and chase the balloon as it traverses; retrieve the payload upon landing; and analyze the resulting data.   In April 2024, there will be a total eclipse of the sun that will cast its shadow across the central United States.
  This will form the main theme for the project as the team works on developing experiments and a payload designed to explore the effects of the eclipse.  The team lead will assist the Student Satellite Initiatives Associate Director to administer the payload design and launch aspects of the program. Work period: Students will be payload team members for the period from approximately June 1, 2022, to September 15, 2022.
  The start time is based on the end of the spring term.   High-Altitude Balloon team members will present their results at the Annual Wisconsin Space Conference to be held at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI, in August 2021 Location: Meetings of the team will take place in either Milwaukee or occasionally in Kenosha, Wisconsin.   Students must be able to provide their own transportation.
Register on the WSGC website ( https://spacegrant. carthage. edu/forms/account/login) .
Applicants will be prompted to update personal information annually. Sign in and submit the Grant Application Form   (applicants may apply to multiple funding programs) and supporting documents. Application Requirements:  Applicants who meet the following requirements can apply for this scholarship by registering and applying online at spacegrant.
carthage.
edu/about/login : At least a Sophomore standing as of Fall 2021 and must be enrolled through December 2022 ( Students enrolled in a two-year program who declare their plan to be enrolled at a WSGC Affiliate University at the end of their sophomore year are also eligible to apply ) Enrolled full-time in, admitted to, or applied to any undergraduate program at a WSGC college or university Majoring in a science or engineering discipline Minimum 2.
5 GPA (Proposals that include a GPA of less than 2. 5 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis) A strong interest in the success of the project.   Motivation is more important than experience, with self-motivation and ability to complete work with minimal supervision being absolutely critical.
Completed application online (see Supporting Materials Required with Application below ) Team lead applicants must have completed a High-Altitude Balloon Research Scholarship within 24 months or have experience that can demonstrate readiness to perform as the student team lead on this project. * NOTE:   After the submission deadline, WSGC may request an individual interview via phone or Zoom.
Supporting Materials Required with Application: Two faculty references (Names, Emails, and Phone Numbers) See Tools & Tips for more information on how to create business correspondence and a resume. The Consortium invites applications for the High-Altitude Balloon Scholarship Program for the 2021-2022 academic year. For consideration, application forms must be complete and be accompanied by supporting documentation.
The Consortium especially encourages applications from members of minority groups, women, and persons with disabilities, and from those pursuing interdisciplinary aerospace studies in, but not limited to, engineering, the sciences, architecture, law, business, nursing and medicine. Award winners will be chosen based on academic performance, aerospace-related promise, and the demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in STEM/aerospace.
  The diverse scientific and engineering needs of the team will also be considered.
Current and Past Award Recipients Award Acceptance Components:   Submit all reports and required documents to the WSGC application website grant management page under Manage Applications/Current Grant Cycle Applications / High Altitude Balloon Payload: W9 (Carthage College award recipients submit a W4 and I9) 2-3 Project Photos (optional 1-minute video) Featuring Awardee w/Project Complete the following tasks: Office of Education Survey must be completed by December 15, 2022 Present Project at the Annual Wisconsin Space Conference in August Submit a Proceeding Paper by Sept.
15  to the Proceedings of the Wisconsin Space Journal Please direct questions about the High-Altitude Balloon Research Scholarship Program to: William Farrow, Ph. D. , P.
E. Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Associate Director for Student Satellite Initiatives Phone:  414-277-2241 Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha WI 53140 E-mail:  spacegrant@carthage.
edu Please follow us on  Instagram ,  Facebook,   Twitter  or  Flickr  for Program Updates 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.
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 Calendar of Opportunities Undergraduate Scholarship Collegiate Rocket Launch Competition Launch 2 Learn Rocket Workshop Other WSGC Funded Programs Aerospace Industry Program WSGC Student Spotlight: Isaac Laseter Congratulations to this week’s WSGC Student Spotlight, Isaac Laseter! Isaac 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-Madison. WSGC Student Spotlight: Gwenyth Heidinger Congratulations to this week’s WSGC Student Spotlight, Gwenyth Heidinger! Gwenyth is the recipient of an Undergraduate Research Scholarship and is currently a Junior studying Geology at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium National Aeronautics and Space Administration college and fellowship program ©  Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium
Eligibility Requirements
- Universities, research organizations, industry partners
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for Atmospheric and Stratospheric Balloon Program?
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Universities, research organizations, industry partners Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
What is the typical funding level for Atmospheric and Stratospheric Balloon Program?
Current published award information indicates $500,000 - $4,000,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
When is the deadline for Atmospheric and Stratospheric Balloon Program?
The current target date is April 30, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
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