Space Grant Eligible

Conn is now part of the Connecticut Space Grant Consortium, a NASA-funded program

Conn is now part of the Connecticut Space Grant Consortium, a NASA-funded program administered at the state level that sponsors faculty and student research and student internships across the U.S.

Students and faculty are now eligible to apply for 42 different grants to support research, conference travel, equipment purchases, STEM education programming and more. Proposals must link to one of NASA’s six National Mission Directorates, which are Aeronautics Research, Exploration Systems Development, Science, Space Operations, Space Technology and Mission Support.

Despite the program’s name, proposals need not be related to space. Assistant Teaching Professor of Astronomy Alex Gianninas, who serves as Conn’s campus director for the program, said Conn’s proposals will most likely fall under the Science Mission Directorate. 

“They mean ‘science’ in the broadest sense, so that could be physics, astronomy, math, biology, botany, psychology, neuroscience—anything that falls under the large umbrella of STEM can be applicable here. Working on something specifically related to space or space exploration is not necessary to apply,” he said.

Students are also eligible for funding for a range of full-time, 10-week summer internships at Connecticut-based industries or organizations that focus on engineering, aerospace, architecture, STEM education, pharmaceuticals or astronomy.