About National Space Grant

The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program

Congress established the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) with Title II of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1988. The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, through the designation of Space Grant consortia and the establishment of Space Grant programs and fellowships, was designed to broaden the base of universities and individuals contributing to and benefiting from aerospace science and technology and ultimately to the development and utilization of space resources (National Space Grant link).

The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (also known as Space Grant) contributes to the nation’s science enterprise by funding research, education, and public service projects through a national network of 52 university-based Space Grant consortia (all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico). The consortia’s over 700 affiliates include over 500 academic institutions and over 75 businesses. Other partners include state and local government agencies, other federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Space Grant will celebrates its 30th year of service in 2020. Since its inception, Space Grant has awarded over 23,000 U.S. citizens with tuition assistance in science, engineering, and related fields of study. After almost two decades of experiential learning (Student – Mentor) aerospace projects, Space Grant accomplishments include:

  • Annually, over 500 Colleges/Universities participate, over 2000 student awards granted, over 500 student – mentor programs initiated, over 40 State/Local government partners and over 100 aerospace industry partners participate
  • Places highest priority on workforce skill development of students & mentors in “real world” projects
  • Everyone, students & mentors, participate in the full program and system life-cycle (define, design, build, fly, analyze) in less than 2 years
  • Mentors pass on their experience and expertise to the next generation while successfully applying emerging technologies and ideas

2021 NASA Space Grant College & Fellowship Program Fact Sheet