ASGC Fellowships and Scholarships

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 Research 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 may be conducted virtually, on the home campus 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. AL Space Grant strongly encourages applications from undergraduate students at HBCUs and MSIs and/or from traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities.

The Undergraduate Research Scholarship applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A United States citizen.

• Pursing a bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology 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 2023-2024 academic year and classified as a junior or senior. Students enrolled in an accredited Dual Engineering Degree program are also eligible to apply.

• Conducting a specific faculty-mentored research project that has NASA Mission Directorate or a commercial space relevance.

• In good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0).