Launching Tomorrow’s Aerospace Workforce
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Space Grant 101
[Briefer name and title] [Audience]
[Date]
01
Project History | Ecosystem
02
NASA Ignition Alignment
03
OSTEM Performance Goals | Core Methods
04
Current Status
05
Core Engagement Methods
06
Metrics
07
Questions
Agenda
10/14/2026 | 2
Space Grant History
The Space Grant consortia span all 50
states, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the
territories of Guam and Virgin Islands.
This national Space Grant network
consists of over 1,250 affiliates spanning
universities, colleges, industry,
museums, science centers, and state
and local agencies.
The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 1988, Public Law 100-
147, authorized the National Space
Grant College and Fellowship Project
to increase understanding, research,
development, and utilization of
aerospace science and technology
through the nation's universities.
Current Authorization | Goal
The goal of Space Grant is to "increase the understanding , assessment,
development, and utilization of space resources by promoting a strong
educational base, responsive research and training activities, and broad
and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques" workforce
development initiatives, research, and informal education projects through
a national network of university-based Space Grant consortia.
Operating under current authorization: PL 117-167 (Sec.10851)
“Preparing the STEM workforce for the future.”
10/14/2026 | 5
Space Grant Ecosystem
*Space Grant Foundation and Alliance are independent organizations
NASA SPACE
GRANT PROJECT
52 UNIVERSITY
COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS
NASA MISSION
DIRECTORATES
*SPACE GRANT
FOUNDATION
501(c) 3
*SPACE GRANT
ALLIANCE
501(c) 4
10/14/2026 | 6
Emerging
OSTEM Performance Goal Alignment
• # of OSTEM-funded research awards,
affiliates and dollar investments
• # of OSTEM-
funded awards (Space
Grant), affiliates and dollar
investments supporting workforce
development
• Evidence of research capacity growth
(
e.g., new curriculum, new equipment,
experience with hardware,
development of R&D products, etc.)
•
# of reported R&D products
developed (i.e., publications /
presentations with student
involvement, patent and tech
transfers)
• # of students placed in work-based
learning and experiential
opportunities (internships,
fellowships, apprenticeships,
student research experiences, etc.)
• # of students participating in
mission-aligned competitions or
challenges, tech development, or
research
• Evidence (student feedback on
wo
rk-based learning and
experiential opportunities)
• # of students participating in NASA-
s
upported career connected-
learning opportunities (e.g., CTE
Days, virtual career connections,
etc.)
• Evidence (student feedback on
career connected-learning
opportunities)
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2
PERFORMANCE GOAL 1
PERFORMANCE GOAL 3
PREPARE STUDENTS OF THE AEROSPACE
WORKFORCE BY EXPANDING REACH
THROUGH CAREER CONNECTED-LEARNING
OPPORTUNITIES
PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE AEROSPACE
WORKFORCE THROUGH WORK-BASED
LEARNING AND EXPERIENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES
THAT BUILD TECHNICAL SKILLS
PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE AEROSPACE
WORKFORCE THROUGH INVESTMENTS TO
STRENGTHEN RESEARCH CAPACITY AND ALIGN
WITH NASA MISSIONS AND NEEDS
Overview: Current Implementation
MISSION:
Prepare students for
aerospace and space
science careers through
investments and experiences
that strengthen research
capacity, build technical
expertise, and expand reach
in alignment with NASA
missions and needs.
STATUS SUMMARY:
• Lifecycle Phase:
Implementation - Year 2
of 2025-2028 multi-year
Cooperative Agreement
cycle
• Base Awards active
across all consortia;
augmentation awards
10/14/2026 | 8
54 in total
Consortia (50 states, DC, PR, VI, Guam)
85%
Appropriated Funds to Awards
1,250+
National network Affiliates
Common Funding Mechanisms
Engagement
Opportunities
Fellowships
Research
Opportunities
Engagement
Opportunities
Internships
10/14/2026 | 10
Space Grant by the Numbers
1.6M+ 4.9K+ 1M+ 2.5K+ 26
Participants
Engaged
Significant
Awardees
Significant
Contact Hours
Peer-Reviewed
Publications
Patents and
Tech Transfers
Questions?
Launching Tomorrow’s Aerospace Workforce
NASA Space
Grant Website
Space Grant
Foundation Website
National Space
Grant Website
www.nasa.gov
