NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NASA Space Grant Community College and Technical School Partnerships

1) What is this NASA funding opportunity?

This is a competitive NASA funding opportunity under the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) focused on building stronger, long-term partnerships with community colleges and technical schools (two-year institutions). The emphasis is on strengthening STEM education pipelines and workforce preparation connected to NASA-related aeronautics and space activities.

2) What program is this competition part of?

The opportunity is part of NASA Space Grant, created under the NASA Authorization Act of 1988. Space Grant operates as a nationwide network of 52 state-based consortia, covering every U.S. state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

3) What is Space Grant intended to support overall?

Through its state-based consortia, Space Grant supports aerospace-related research, education, and public service. It also supports scholarships and fellowships for students pursuing STEM pathways, with the broader goal of expanding access to and participation in NASA-related aeronautics and space activities.

4) What is NASA emphasizing in this particular solicitation?

NASA is emphasizing the role of two-year institutions (community colleges and technical colleges) in developing the STEM talent pipeline. The intent is to bring more two-year students into STEM programs, keep them on track after enrollment, and improve completion outcomes that lead to STEM jobs or transfer pathways into four-year institutions.

5) What types of outcomes is the program trying to achieve for students?

The solicitation highlights student-focused outcomes such as improved access to STEM programs at the two-year level, better student retention and progression once enrolled, and stronger completion pathways that lead either to a STEM job after an associate degree or transfer to a four-year institution.

6) Is this opportunity focused on one-time events or long-term capacity?

The opportunity is framed as capacity-building rather than isolated activities. NASA describes a major theme as building long-term institutional capability and durable relationships that make NASA-connected STEM education more accessible and sustainable at two-year institutions.

7) What does "capacity-building" mean in the context of this solicitation?

Based on the notice, capacity-building includes integrating NASA STEM content into courses and curricula, increasing educator readiness to teach NASA-relevant material, and establishing durable partnerships with NASA Centers and other STEM or industry partners.

8) Who is eligible to submit a proposal directly to NASA?

Although the public listing notes eligibility as "unrestricted," the detailed requirement is that proposals are accepted only from the lead institutions of each state Space Grant consortium (plus DC and Puerto Rico), specifically the institutions where the NASA Space Grant Directors are currently serving.

9) Can a community college or technical school apply directly to NASA under this announcement?

No. Community colleges and technical schools do not submit directly to NASA under this announcement. They participate through collaboration with their state Space Grant consortium lead institution.

10) How can a community college or technical school participate if it cannot apply directly?

A community college or technical school can participate by collaborating with the lead institution of its state Space Grant consortium. If an accredited community college or technical school is part of the proposed effort, it must provide a formal statement of collaboration to be included in the lead institution's proposal package.

11) What is required from a participating community college or technical school?

The notice states that if an accredited community college or technical school is included in the proposed effort, it must provide a formal statement of collaboration for inclusion in the proposal package submitted by the consortium lead institution.

12) What is a Space Grant consortium?

A Space Grant consortium is the state-based organizational network that Space Grant uses to carry out NASA-supported aerospace education, research, and public service activities. There are 52 consortia total, representing all states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

13) Does NASA expect consortium leads to share the opportunity with other institutions?

Yes. The announcement stresses that consortium lead institutions should ensure all higher-education members in the consortium are made aware of the opportunity, reflecting NASA's intent to broaden participation across institutions within each state network.

14) What national objectives does this solicitation align with?

The solicitation aligns with Space Grant national objectives that include maintaining a robust network of universities with aerospace capabilities; encouraging cooperative programs among universities, industry, and government; promoting interdisciplinary education, research, and public service tied to aerospace; and recruiting and training U.S. citizens for aerospace careers.

15) Does the solicitation mention broadening participation for specific groups?

Yes. The Space Grant objectives referenced include particular attention to groups historically underrepresented in STEM, including women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities.

16) Is K-12 education included in the program's broader goals?

Space Grant supports strengthening STEM education foundations at the K-12 level through outreach and educator development. However, this particular competition is notably centered on two-year college pathways and workforce outcomes.

17) Who administers this opportunity within NASA?

The opportunity is run by NASA Headquarters through the NASA Office of Education, with participation across multiple NASA mission directorates and NASA field centers, as well as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

18) Which NASA mission areas are involved?

The notice indicates participation across NASA mission directorates, including Aeronautics, Human Exploration and Operations, Science, and Space Technology.

19) What type of award instrument will NASA use?

Awards are issued as cooperative agreements. This typically indicates NASA expects substantial involvement during performance, such as coordination, oversight, or technical collaboration, rather than a fully hands-off grant model.

20) Is cost-sharing or matching required?

The listing does not state a cost-sharing or matching requirement.

21) How are proposals selected?

Proposals are selected through a merit-based, peer review competition, as stated in the notice.

22) How are proposals submitted?

Submissions are handled electronically through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system). The opportunity is also accessible through Grants.gov.

23) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NNH14ZHA003C.

24) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The notice lists CFDA 43.008 (Education).

25) What were the key dates listed in the notice?

The original posting date was March 25, 2014. The closing date was May 28, 2014. The archive date was March 25, 2015.

26) Who can be contacted for applicant support or questions?

The notice references NASA contacts including Dr. Lenell Allen at hq-space-grant@mail.nasa.gov and NAIS Support at nais.support@nasa.gov.

27) Where should applicants retrieve the full announcement text?

The notice directs applicants to retrieve the full announcement text through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

28) What is the central purpose of strengthening partnerships with two-year institutions?

The central purpose described is to expand access to NASA-connected STEM education and participation by strengthening education pipelines, improving workforce preparation, and building collaboration among higher education, industry, and government partners, with a specific focus on two-year institutions in this solicitation.