WSGC Graduate & Professional Research Fellowship Program

WSGC Graduate & Professional Research Fellowship Announcement of Opportunity

The WSGC Graduate & Professional Research Fellowship provides support for students in graduate or professional programs conducting independent STEM-related research or design aligned with NASA Mission Directorates.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION

• GPA/Transcripts
• Letters of Recommendation

SPACE/AEROSPACE/SPACE-RELATED PROMISE

• Proposal Clarity, Quality and Strength of Proposal
• Significance/Value of Proposed Research
• Independence of Proposed Research
• Alignment with NASA Mission Directorate Goals
• Articulation of Alignment with NASA Mission Directorate

NON-PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

• Uniqueness of Subject Matter: Is the Field of Study Unusual Among the Applicants, or Closely Related to a Number of Others
• Breadth/Significance/Relevance of Other Activities (e.g. outreach, service, hobbies), and/or unique circumstances/backgrounds

This funding opportunity is made available for the pursuit of space-related research and/or activities through the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program: NASA Educational Cooperative Agreement #80NSSC25M7122. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this award is 43.008.

All awards are fully competitive awards of opportunity in which applications are reviewed by the WSGC Technical Advisory Panel and other experts as needed. Awards are made by the Assistant Director based on recommendations from the Associate Director.

See a list of current and past award recipients

1. Create a NASA STEM Gateway account: nasa.gov/public/s/login/
2. Create a WSGC account: carthage.edu/about/login/
3. Log in and complete the WSGC Graduate Fellowship application.
4. Submit two letters of recommendation with the application or to the WSGC Office with subject line RFP26_LOR:
   - One from an academic advisor/mentor (willing to supervise the project)
   - One from a faculty member, employer, or aerospace professional

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Be enrolled full-time in (or admitted/applied to) a graduate or professional degree program at a WSGC member college/university.
• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA (applications below 3.0 may be considered individually).
• Provide above-average GRE, MCAT, or equivalent standardized test scores.
• Demonstrate strong academic performance and aerospace-related research potential.
• Submit a complete online application.

1. Proposal (2–4 pages), including:
   - Statement of space/aerospace-related research and alignment with NASA Mission Directorates goals
   - Tasks, schedule, and expected results
   - Evidence of prior aerospace/space-related experience
   - Significance/value of research to the field
2. Academic resume
3. One-page budget summary (see budget template)
4. Graduate and undergraduate transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable)

Budget Template

* Include name, role, hours, rate, and fringe details.
** Travel must directly support research; international travel not permitted. WSGC supports travel to the Wisconsin Space Conference only if listed in the budget.
*** WSGC will not fund overhead

Recipients must:
• Present research at the Annual Wisconsin Space Conference (Aug. 2026 for Spring/Summer awards; Aug. 2027 for Fall/Academic Year awards).
• Submit award acceptance materials (Award Agreement, W9, biography, photo).
• Submit award mid- and closeout materials (interim and final reports, student story, project photos/video, proceedings paper, and awardee publications, presentations, patents, and technology transfers report).
• Complete NASA reporting requirements (STEM Gateway activity acceptance).

Please direct questions about the WSGC Graduate & Professional Research Fellowship Program to: