KSGC NASA Teacher Workshops - Request for Proposals, Oct 2026

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NASA Kansas Space

Grant

Consortium

Request for Proposals

Teacher Workshop Program

Due: November 30, 2026

Background

The NASA Kansas Space Grant Consortium (KSGC) Teacher Workshop Program (TWP) supports

the development and implementation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

(STEM) educator workshops. NASA is especially interested in helping teachers bring NASA-

relevant material and content into middle-school classrooms.

KSGC affiliate proposals are competitively awarded by peer review. Multiple awards of between

$15,000 – $50,000 each are anticipated. Affiliates must identify a $1.00 commitment for every

NASA dollar requested (use of federal matching funds is not allowed). Matching funds can be

real-dollar, in-kind, or waived/reduced indirect costs provided by the institution, industry, or

private sponsors. WSU proposers: Indirect cost recovery is not allowed, but may be used as

matching funds.

The majority of activity should be planned to take place between January 2027 and June 2027.

Follow-up activities, such as reporting and program evaluations, can take place within three

months following a workshop.

Proposals & Selection

Proposals should comply with the following guidelines:

1. The cover sheet should include the proposal title, all critical contact information, and a

signature from the principal investigator’s financial authority (showing the

commitment to matching funds)

2. The proposal has a five (5) page length limit. The page limit excludes the cover sheet,

budget (including any related supporting budget justification documentation), and

references. Also excluded from the page limit, the lead investigator should include a

biographical sketch and current & pending support document formatted according to

NASA guidelines.

3. Please utilize one-inch margins and a 12-point Times New Roman font.

4. Student participants receiving direct support must be U.S. citizens.

Workshop proposals are reviewed and considered for awards based on:

1. The objectives and responsiveness to NASA and specific mission directorate

interests and goals

2. The impact on teachers and students

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3. Specific metrics that demonstrate achievements (e.g., project S.M.A.R.T. goals,

measurable outcomes,

and milestones)

4. Plans to complete and meet all reporting and longitudinal tracking requirements,

including the collection of teacher data (e.g., full name, demographic information,

address, field of study, etc.) and compliance with Personally Identifiable Information

(PII) data management expectations

5. Evaluation mechanisms, which demonstrate teachers utilize the workshop’s NASA

relevant materials, knowledge, and experience in their classrooms

6. The proposed budget’s clarity and appropriateness

Please feel free to contact your Affiliate Representative or the K

SGC Director, Pierre Harter

(pierre.harter@idp.wichita.edu or nasainkansas@wichita.edu), with any questions. Consult

NASA’s Learning Resources website, for additional helpful information (https://

www.nasa.gov/learning-resources).

Submissions & Awards

Submit proposals to NASA in Kansas (nasainkansas@wichita.edu) and Pierre Harter

(pierre.harter@idp.wichita.edu), as a single PDF document of less than 1 MB size, via email

any time before the deadline. Proposals will be reviewed and awards announced as quickly as

possible, conditional on funding availability. All institutions submitting proposals must be

willing and able to enter into a subaward agreement with Wichita State University under all

applicable NASA terms and conditions.

Restrictions:

There are special restrictions on NASA regarding the People's Republic of China. In

accordance with section 526 of Public Law 117-103 and all subsequent appropriations acts,

NASA is prohibited from funding any work that involves the bilateral participation,

collaboration, or coordination with China or any Chinese-owned company or entity, at the

prime recipient level or at any subrecipient level, whether funded or performed under a no-

exchange-of-funds basis. Accordingly, proposals shall not include bilateral participation,

collaboration, or coordination with China or any Chinese-owned company or entity, whether

funded or performed under a no exchange-of-funds basis. Proposals involving bilateral

participation, collaboration, or coordination in any way with China or any Chinese-owned

company, whether funded or performed under a no exchange-of-funds basis, will be

ineligible for award.

 Funds cannot typically be used for equipment (items under $10,000 are “supplies”). If you

are considering equipment purchases, please contact nasainkansas@wichita.edu to discuss

prior to proposing.

 Funds cannot be used for foreign travel

 Funds cannot be used for civil-service personnel labor or travel

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Appendix - Additional Helpful Information

ASA Mission Directorates

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

The Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate advances the future of aviation through innovations that improve

safety, efficiency, sustainability, and global competitiveness. Current efforts focus on developing next-generation

air vehicles, sustainable aviation technologies, advanced air mobility systems, and tools that enhance the safety

and efficiency of the national airspace. NASA’s aeronautics research continues to benefit every U.S. commercial

aircraft and air traffic control operation.

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/armd/

Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

The Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate leads the design, integration, and delivery of the

systems that will

enable human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and deeper space. The directorate oversees the

Artemis campaign, including the Space Launch System, Orion spacecraft, lunar lander development, spacesuits,

ground systems, and the Gateway lunar outpost. Current priorities include readiness for upcoming Artemis

missions, strengthening commercial partnerships, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of lunar exploration

as preparation for human missions to Mars.

https://www.nasa.gov/exploration-systems-development-mission-directorate/

Mission Support Directorate

The Mission Support Directorate provides the enterprise-wide services, infrastructure, workforce capabilities, and

institutional support needed for NASA missions to succeed. The directorate oversees facilities, information

technology, cybersecurity, procurement, financial management, human capital, and other core capabilities. Current

focus areas include modernization of digital infrastructure, improving organizational resilience, and ensuring

NASA’s workforce and facilities are equipped to support future exploration and science missions.

https://www.nasa.gov/msd/

Science Mission Directorate

The Science Mission Directorate conducts scientific research to better understand Earth, the solar system, and the

universe. The directorate leads missions that study climate and weather, planetary processes, astrophysics,

heliophysics, and the search for life beyond Earth. Current efforts emphasize Earth system science, planetary

defense, Mars sample return planning, and new observatories that will expand humanity’s understanding of the

cosmos. Collaboration across disciplines remains central to its mission.

https://science.nasa.gov/

Space Operations Mission Directorate

The Space Operations Mission Directorate enables sustained human and robotic operations in low Earth orbit

and beyond. It oversees the International Space Station, commercial crew and cargo services, space

communications and navigation, and mission operations for NASA and partner agencies. Current priorities

include transitioning to commercially operated low Earth orbit destinations, supporting Artemis mission

operations, expanding space communications capabilities, and enhancing crew safety and mission readiness.

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations/

Space Technology Mission Directorate

The Space Technology Mission Directorate develops and demonstrates transformative technologies that enable

future NASA missions and strengthen the U.S. space economy. The directorate advances capabilities in

propulsion, power systems, robotics, advanced materials, in-space manufacturing, and entry-descent-landing

technologies. Current priorities include technologies that support Artemis, commercial space development,

planetary missions, and long-duration human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

https://www.nasa.gov/space-technology-mission-directorate/

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S.M.A.R.T. Goals

S.M

.A.R.T goals are:

S = Specific

M = Measurable

A = Attainable

R = Realistic and Results Focused

T = Timely and Trackable

ecific: Be precise about what you are going to achieve. A specific goal has a much greater chance of

being accomplished than a general goal.

•

Specify the target and the intended outcome.

•

Define one outcome per objective.

•

Be specific about what will be achieved by avoiding vague verbs. Some examples of vague

verbs are “know” and “understand”.

•

Make sure the objective is linked to the goal.

asurable: Set criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set.

•

Use measures as indicators of program success.

•

If possible, establish a baseline.

Att

ainable: Define the ways that you will accomplish the goals.

•

Consider attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity needed to reach the goals.

•

Look for opportunities for achieving the goals.

alistic: A goal must embody an idea toward which you are both willing and able to work. Be sure

that your goal represents substantial progress.

•

Define the resources needed, which may include time commitment and workforce.

•

Identify all partners needed and the stakeholders.

•

Consider if the measures are realistic. For example, if the baseline from the previous year was

2%, is a 1% increase in the upcoming year realistic?

Tim

ely: A goal should be carried out within a specific time frame. With no time frame tied to the goal,

there is no sense of urgency for its completion.

•

Provide a timeframe.

•

Consider the risks associated with falling behind schedule.

Here is an example of a few S.M.A.R.T. goals:

•

By June 2027, at least 25 middle-school STEM teachers will have participated in the program.

•

Follow-up surveys, conducted 3 months after the workshop, will verify that at least 90% of the

participants are using NASA and workshop material and experiences regularly in the classroom.