Dr. Laurel Salton Clark Graduate & Professional Research Fellowship

Dr. Laurel Salton Clark Graduate & Professional Research Fellowship Announcement of Opportunity

Nancy Carman, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Dr. Laurel Salton Clark Graduate & Professional Research Fellowship, 2024-2025
Credit: Nancy Carman

$5,000 Spring 2026*
$5,000 Summer 2026*
$5,000 Academic Year 2026-2027*
* Subject to funding availability

The Dr. Laurel Salton Clark Memorial Graduate & Professional Research Fellowship honors Columbia Shuttle astronaut and Wisconsin native Dr. Laurel Clark. It supports graduate or professional students in environmental or life sciences whose research has an aerospace component and who embody Dr. Clark’s commitment to leadership, balance, and improving the human condition.

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 Clark Fellowship application.
4. Submit two letters of recommendation with the application or to the WSGC Office with subject line LSC26_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. 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

   BUDGET ITEM	WSGC	TOTAL
   Salaries and Fringe Total*
   Include name and role for each individual receiving salary and fringe through WSGC funding.
   Travel Total**
   Annual Wisconsin Space Conference
   Include Location
   Participant Support Total
   Include name and role for each student/individual receiving a stipend through WSGC and Match funding.
   Materials and Supplies Total***
   Other Direct Costs
   Total	$ -	$ -

   * 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 Dr. Laurel Salton Clark Memorial Research Fellowship program to: