Graduate Research Fellowship and Undergraduate Research Scholarship

Graduate Research Fellowship and Undergraduate Research Scholarship is sponsored by North Carolina Space Grant. Competitive awards for outstanding graduate and undergraduate students pursuing research and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Undergraduate Research Scholarships | North Carolina Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholarships Undergraduate students in a STEM degree program at an accredited college or university in NC The research activity must have NASA Mission Directorates or commercial space relevance and align to the NC Space Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) Past Undergraduate Research Scholars The NC Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholarship supports undergraduate students pursuing STEM research aligned with NASA mission areas, including commercial space and the International Space Station (ISS).

Each year, NC Space Grant awards competitive scholarships to help students gain hands-on research experience while preparing for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Learn More: Application Info Sessions NC Space Grant Fellowship & Scholarship Info Session #1 NC Space Grant Fellowship & Scholarship Info Session #2 What the Scholarship Supports Scholarship funding helps students carry out a defined, faculty-mentored research project.

Research may be conducted: On the student’s home campus At an industrial or government facility Virtually, in accordance with university policies Projects must have relevance to a NASA Mission Directorate, commercial space, and/or the ISS. Dates : June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027 Projects should be feasible to complete within this timeframe, including access to facilities, equipment, and materials. Extensions are not available.

Award amount : $8,000 per student Number of awards : Approximately 10 Awards are competitive and merit-based Funds may cover research-related expenses, including travel Awards are contingent on NASA funding and proposal quality Be enrolled full-time (or accepted for full-time enrollment) in a STEM bachelor’s program at an accredited North Carolina college or university for fall 2026 Be in good academic standing ( minimum 3.

0 GPA ) Propose a research project with relevance to NASA, commercial space, and/or the ISS Students in dual-degree engineering programs are eligible Applicants may receive up to two scholarships in total but must reapply through the competitive process each time Student application deadline : 5 p. m. ET, Friday, March 13, 2026 Faculty letter of recommendation deadline : 5 p.

m. ET, Monday, March 16, 2026 Award notifications : On or around April 30, 2026 (pending NASA funding) Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications for the NC Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholarship are submitted online through the NC Space Grant system.

To complete your application, you’ll need: Short essays describing your proposed research project, its alignment with NASA mission areas, STEM interests, and anticipated academic or career impact A faculty letter of recommendation that confirms your ability to carry out the research and outlines your mentorship plan Unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities attended All application materials must be submitted by the stated deadlines to be considered.

Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Full program guidelines, proposal requirements, and evaluation criteria are available in the official Request for Proposals (RFP) . Proposals are reviewed by a panel of academic and subject-matter professionals.

Reviewers may not be experts in each research area, so applicants are encouraged to present their work clearly and accessibly. Proposals are evaluated on: Research Description and Goals (35%) Anticipated Academic and Career Impacts (25%) Faculty Recommendation Letter (15%) Not all highly rated proposals can be funded due to limited availability of funds.

Scholarship recipients are expected to: Complete the proposed research project Submit a final research report Present a poster at the NC Space Grant Space Symposium at NC State University, Raleigh, NC Participate in required NASA and NC Space Grant reporting Share research experiences in public forums, educational settings, and through collaboration with the NC Space Grant communications team Recent Undergraduate Research Scholars Learn more about recent scholars and their projects: Find NC State websites, locations and people Access vital records, resources and information for students, families, faculty and staff.

Our campus libraries are your destinations for studying, research and expanding your mind. Look up important dates and university holidays for the upcoming academic year and beyond. Explore our 100-plus degree programs and see where an NC State education can take you.