ASGC Fellowships and Scholarships

The objective of the Undergraduate Scholarship opportunity is to encourage student to train for careers in professional aerospace fields and engage the future STEM workforce in basic and/or applied NASA-related research projects.

Overview

The Alabama Space Grant Consortium (ASGC), as a participant in the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (NSGCFP), provides support for undergraduate students who are pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)fields that support NASA’s Mission Directorates. This competitively awarded program engages the future STEM workforce in basic and/or applied NASA-related research projects.

The Undergraduate Scholarship Program requires that students participate in an active, defined research activity in STEM that has NASA Mission Directorate applications, inclusive of commercial space or at the U.S. National Lab on the International Space Station (ISS). The research should be supervised by a faculty member, and maybe conducted virtually, on the home campus in accordance with university policies, and/or at an industrial or government facility. The research activity will be conducted over the course of 1 academic year. Unused funds must be returned to AL Space Grant on a pro-rated basis. Graduation, or leaving university for any reason, terminates the award. Proposed starting dates for new awards will generally be expected to coincide with normal semester, quarter, or other accepted academic term starting dates.

The undergraduate scholarships will be renewable following competitive review each year, with an individual limit of 24 months (two years). Applications for the undergraduate scholarships may be submitted as early as the final term of the sophomore year.

Award Level

AL Space Grant undergraduate scholarship awards are made initially for one academic year and may be renewed for an additional academic year for a total award of 24 months (two years). The scholarship award is limited to a maximum of $1,500 student stipend (or $750 for one semester).

This is a competitive scholarship program supported by NASA and the State of Alabama. Awards are based on merit, recognizing high academic achievement and promise. Awards are made annually.

Awards are contingent upon receipt of NASA funding and the quality of submitted proposals.

Renewal Applications

Undergraduate scholarships may be renewed for one additional year. Renewals are not automatic. Applications for renewal are competitive with new applications. Requests for renewal are to be submitted in the same format as new applicants, fulfilling all requirements but should also include a brief statement outlining their academic progress, documentation of accomplishments, any changes from their original academic and career goals statement and academic grades for the previous year. A satisfactory student-written report from the prior year shall be on file at the AL Space Grant Program Office at the time of application.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a program of study in STEM and have a specific research project relevant to a NASA Mission Directorate, commercial space, and/or the ISS U.S. National Lab.

The Undergraduate Scholarship applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A United States citizen.
• Pursing a bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) discipline of interest to NASA, commercial space or the ISS.
• Enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited university or college in the State of Alabama during the 2026-2027 academic year and classified as a junior or senior. Students enrolled in an accredited Dual Engineering Degree program are also eligible to apply.
• In good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0).

Deadlines

• Student applications due - midnight, Monday, March 2, 2026
• Faculty Letter of Recommendation due midnight, Monday, March 9, 2026

Awards will be announced in late April/early May 2026, contingent upon receipt of NASA funds.

Application Instructions

Apply for the Alabama Space Grant Undergraduate Scholarship by clicking online: https://www.uah.edu/asgc/applications/scholarship

Applicants must click the new user registration button to begin the application.

Interested students must complete an online application. All information must be complete – including faculty letter of recommendation or the application will not be reviewed. Please read all program guidelines, including Eligibility Requirements and Awardee Requirements before preparing and submitting your application. Awards are based on merit and promise, adherence to the instructions and availability of federal funds.

Students are requested to respond to these key components of the application:

Student Resume: A brief resume of the applicant must be submitted in the online application. The student’s resume should include a short summary of education, training and accomplishments both inside and outside the educational world.

University Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts from all institutions and from the current institution with most recent grades are required and can be submitted as a .pdf in the online application. Applicants must submit one transcript from each institution of higher education attended where you have received 10 or more credit hours. If the applicant does not have a .pdf conversion tool, links to free online .pdf converters are provided within the application. Official transcripts may be requested for verification.

Faculty Recommendation Letter: Applicants should request a faculty member write and submit a letter of recommendation that addresses knowledge of the student or level or confidence in the student’s ability to carry out the proposed research or, alternatively, a plan to guide the student’s STEM interests or research. Applicants are required to provide the name and contact information for the student’s research mentor. The online application system will contact your reference via email to request a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. References will be provided with a link to submit the recommendation. For the application to be complete, the letter of recommendation must be submitted by Monday, March 9, 2026. AL Space Grant suggests applicants contact the reference listed and inform them in advance they will receive an email requesting this information on their behalf from notices@spacegrant.org.

STEM Outreach Statement: In your own words, describe your past educational and research experiences in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Include any leadership roles that you have held and describe experiences that best demonstrate your leadership abilities. While describing your leadership abilities, include how you could use these for K-12 outreach. (500 words or less)

Goals Statement: Students should describe their short- and long-term career goals/future education and career plans (500 words or less).

Awardee Requirements

The Undergraduate Scholar must meet the following requirements:

• Provide a headshot photo and acceptance form upon selection.
• Submit a final survey to the AL Space Grant by May 2027.
• Attend AL Space Grant Awards Day in the Fall of 2026.
• Work with the AL Space Grant Outreach Coordinator to conduct a specific outreach activity at a local K-12 school or event. To include reporting of outreach information.
• Credit AL Space Grant for sponsoring the activity in all printed materials (e.g. use the AL Space grant logo on posters, credit and tag on social media, etc.).
• Inform the Consortium of changes of address.
• Respond to academic and employment follow-up surveys administered by AL Space Grant as required by NASA.
• Create a student profile in the NASA Gateway system: https://stemgateway.nasa.gov/public/s/login/SelfRegister?eoId=a0Bt000000AUwD6EAL