Next Gen STEM (NGS) NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs (NAS_Hub) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Next Gen STEM (NGS) NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs (NAS_Hub) opportunity?

This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NNH26ZHA001C) is a NASA cooperative agreement solicitation focused on building state- or region-level partnerships ("hubs") that respond directly to shortages in the aerospace skilled technical workforce. The hubs are intended to organize and coordinate local and regional systems so education and training align with real employer demand and NASA mission needs, and so students and jobseekers can move more efficiently from training into employment.

2) What is the main goal NASA is trying to achieve through these hubs?

The main goal is to strengthen entry-level aerospace technician talent pipelines by aligning education and training with workforce demand, expanding work-based learning, and improving coordination across employers, education providers, and workforce/economic development partners. The program emphasizes making pathways more coherent and accessible so participants can move from learning to earning with fewer barriers.

3) What does NASA mean by a "hub" in this program?

A hub is described as an organizing and coordinating center that convenes the key players influencing technician talent pipelines. Rather than being a single training program, the hub is meant to connect and coordinate a regional ecosystem so curriculum, training capacity, work-based learning, and hiring needs are better aligned.

4) Which partners are expected to be part of a hub?

The solicitation highlights hubs bringing together aerospace employers; high school and community college career and technical education (CTE) programs; workforce development boards; economic development organizations; and nearby NASA Centers or facilities. The intent is to include the organizations that shape training and hiring outcomes in a region.

5) What kinds of careers are the focus of this opportunity?

The focus is on entry-level, high-demand aerospace technical careers that do not require a bachelor's degree. The program is oriented toward technician pathways and skilled technical roles rather than four-year-degree professional tracks.

6) What types of education and training pathways does NASA want hubs to support?

The opportunity points to pathways rooted in certificates, industry credentials, apprenticeships, and two-year degrees. It also emphasizes clear entry points (on-ramps) for high school students, adult learners, and career changers.

7) What activities or improvements are hubs expected to deliver?

Based on the description provided, hubs are expected to coordinate curriculum and training with employers, improve work-based learning opportunities, and strengthen the connections between education systems and workforce systems. The overall expectation is improved alignment to workforce demand and smoother transitions from training into employment.

8) How much funding is available in total, and over what time period?

NASA anticipates approximately $12 million total available over a three-year period for this opportunity.

9) How many awards does NASA expect to make?

NASA expects to make around eight awards.

10) What is the maximum award amount per recipient?

Each award may be up to $1.5 million total, with up to $500,000 per year across a three-year period.

11) Is cost sharing or matching funds required?

No. Cost sharing is not required for this solicitation.

12) What type of award instrument will NASA use?

Awards will be made as cooperative agreements.

13) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement implies NASA expects substantial involvement beyond simply issuing funds. Applicants should be prepared for an active partnership model where NASA collaboration, coordination, and mutual engagement are part of how the work is carried out.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); and small businesses.

15) Does the opportunity allow for-profit organizations and small businesses to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) and small businesses are listed as eligible applicants.

16) Can nonprofits apply even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are included among eligible applicants.

17) Are tribal entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the eligibility list.

18) What is NASA looking for in terms of leadership and convening power?

The broad eligibility suggests NASA is prioritizing strong regional convening power and execution capability over any single institutional category. The hub model is designed for entities that can credibly bring together employers, education providers, workforce systems, and related partners to operate as a coordinated regional partnership.

19) How will NASA evaluate proposals?

NASA will evaluate proposals using three stated factors: relevance to NASA, intrinsic merit, and budget reasonableness.

20) What does "relevance to NASA" mean in this context?

Relevance to NASA implies proposals should clearly connect regional technician workforce needs to aerospace priorities and NASA-related skills and occupational demand. The description indicates this may be strengthened by relationships with nearby NASA Centers or facilities, or with NASA-adjacent employers and supply chains.

21) What does "intrinsic merit" refer to?

Intrinsic merit typically refers to the strength and feasibility of the proposed approach, the logic of the hub model, the quality of partnerships, and the likelihood of producing measurable workforce outcomes.

22) What does "budget reasonableness" mean?

Budget reasonableness means proposed costs should be well-justified, aligned to activities and deliverables, and appropriate for the scale of impact being proposed.

23) How do applicants submit an application?

Applications must be submitted electronically through NASA's NSPIRES system by the listed deadline.

24) What is the application deadline (closing date)?

The posted closing date is 2026-03-20.

25) What planning steps should applicants consider before the deadline?

The description recommends planning backward from the closing date to allow time for partnership formation, letters or commitments, program design, and NSPIRES registration and submission requirements.

26) What is the CFDA number and funding category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding under CFDA 43.008.

27) What is the award ceiling?

The award ceiling is $1,500,000.

28) What geographic scale is NASA expecting for hub partnerships?

The solicitation is designed to build state- or region-level partnerships. The hub model is intended to function at a scale where multiple employers, education providers, and workforce/economic development partners can be coordinated.

29) What population groups are explicitly mentioned as targets for the pathways?

The description explicitly mentions high school students, adult learners, and career changers as groups that should have clear on-ramps into the supported pathways.

30) Does this program focus on bachelor's degree pathways?

No. A defining feature of the program is its focus on high-demand aerospace technical careers that do not require a bachelor's degree, emphasizing certificates, credentials, apprenticeships, and two-year degrees.