Iowa Space Grant Consortium

Announcements

ISGC graduate fellowship applications now being accepted

The application period for 2020-21 Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) graduate student fellowships is now open.

Graduate student atop Mauka Kea in Hawaii
Jill Neeley, a past Iowa State University fellowship recipient, is shown atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii, where she spent time as part of her program.

The fellowships are offered to support outstanding graduate students at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa who are pursuing research opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines that support the mission of NASA.

Awardees will receive $3,275 as a fellowship applied to their university account after receipt of an acceptance letter. Awards will be processed before the end of the Fall 2020 semester.

Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship, full-time enrollment at Iowa State or University of Iowa as of August 2020, and a graduation date no earlier than May 2021. Other requirements apply.

The application deadline is September 4, 2020. See the 2020-21 Graduate Fellowship page on the Iowa Space Grant Consortium web site for more information and a link to the application form.

ISU Aerospace Engineering alum Montalbano named ISS manager

Joel Montalbano

Joel Montalbano, a 1988 graduate of Iowa State University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, has been named manager of NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) program. The appointment became effective June 29.

“I am confident Joel’s leadership of this program will continue to expand the role of the space station as a national asset for exploration, science, and commercial use,” said Kathy Lueders, NASA’s associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations.

Montalbano replaces Kirk Shireman, who has been ISS manager since 2015. Shireman is retiring from the agency to take a position in private industry.

“It is an honor to be named as the International Space Station Program Manager,” Montalbano said. “I’m looking forward to continuing our work with our domestic and international partners on this world-class laboratory. We are approaching the anniversary of 20 years of a continuous U.S. presence on the station, and it is clear to me that even greater accomplishments lie ahead in this global effort for the benefit of all humanity and the pathway to future human exploration.”

International Space Station
The International Space Station

For nearly 20 years, humans have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies, making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth that will enable long-duration human and robotic exploration into deep space. Under this unique international partnership, 239 people from 19 countries have visited the station.

Read a full NASA news release on Montalbano’s promotion.

Informal Education and Outreach – Request for Proposals

Newly released this month, the ISGC has established the Education and Outreach (E&O) Program. E&O is a new category of funding as we start our program cycle for 2020 through 2021. E&O will provide support for ISGC formal and informal education, outreach affiliates.

Go to the ISGC website to learn more. The call for proposals for informal education can be found on the new E&O funding page.

The PDF is also provided here for in-depth criteria and program description: Education and Outreach RFP. The deadline is July 1, 2020.

Questions should be directed to the Associate Director: Jay Staker – jstaker@iastate.edu, 515-294-8417, or Assistant Director for Education: Sara Nelson – sdnelson@iastate.edu, 515-294-7021.

NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium Names Nelson as Assistant Director for Education and Outreach

AMES, IA – The NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) announced today that Dr. Sara Nelson will join the leadership team as assistant director for education and outreach.

Nelson is currently the state STEM specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and teaches science and literacy education courses at the School of Education.

“Dr. Nelson is a passionate supporter of STEM education,” said Jay Staker, ISGC associate director. “We are thrilled to have her work with the education community to provide professional development related to the NASA mission and utilize NASA educational products.”

As ISGC assistant director for education and outreach, Nelson will provide leadership for the ISGC programs that target the precollege audience and the efforts of the Education and Outreach Affiliates. These affiliates include science centers, museums, and other groups that serve the NASA mission.

Nelson and her team will also develop educational materials and experiences. Products already developed under Nelson’s leadership include Checkout STEM, STEM-Lit to Go!, Iowa 4-H and ISGC STEAM Academy activities and events, and several 4-H day camps.

Nelson received her Ph.D. in literacy education and M.Ed. in science education from Iowa State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Luther College.

In addition to her work at Iowa State University, Dr. Nelson sits on the State Science Leadership Team with the Iowa Department of Education, the North Central STEM Advisory Board for the Governor’s STEM Council, and the Science and Children Advisory Board of the National Science Teaching Association.

For more information on the NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium, please visit: https://www.iaspacegrant.org/.

Contact for Release: Valyn Bodensteiner, Communications Strategist.
valynb@iastate.edu

Academic Projects – Request For Proposals Open

Submissions are now being accepted for the Iowa Space Grant Consortium’s competition for academic projects. For all of the details on this opportunity please visit our page: Academic Projects – Request for Proposals

The deadline for proposals is June 29, 2020.

The NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) (http://www.iaspacegrant.org/) is conducting the competition and will award two grants up to $15,000 each for Academic Projects that support research aligned with one of NASA’s Mission Directorates (MD). The Mission Directorates include Science Mission Directorate (SMD), Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEO), and Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD). Proposed projects will align with the MD scientific pursuits and NASA’s mission/strategies at the non-core academic affiliate campuses. As the new base programs are limited to the four core institutions, the ISGC has created Academic Projects for the non-core academic institutions. This allows the non-core Academic Affiliates to participate in mission directorate NASA research. At present, faculty at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and Loras College are eligible to apply.

The ISGC works to coordinate and improve Iowa’s future in NASA related Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); and to stimulate research education and outreach activities throughout the state that contribute to NASA’s mission. The Consortium outcomes shaped this call and were described in the response to the NASA National Space Grant CAN for 2020-2024 derived from the ISGC affiliate program review, NASA’s 2018 strategic plan, and Iowa’s STEM priorities. The following areas will be addressed by the new Academic Projects:

  • Promote and support student experiences through internships, fellowships, and scholarships.
  • Engage applied research at higher education institutes to assist in solving NASA Mission Directorate challenges.
  • Educate and engage pre-college STEM students and educators to prepare the next generation of explorers.
  • Elevate the impact of the ISGC across Iowa.
  • Promote the involvement of women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Each Academic Affiliate is eligible to submit proposals for this program. Proposals must target the NASA MDs and be a good fit for DMACC and Loras College. Proposals must identify how they will support student recruitment and retention efforts in the STEM fields at the respective campus. To be considered for selection, a program must be conducting innovative research directly aligned with the MDs. Engaging undergraduate students with the project is encouraged (with emphasis on women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities) and will strengthen the proposal. Priority will be given to proposals which collaborate with other affiliates (not restricted to non-core academic affiliates). Projects will be selected through a competitive process that will use the selection criteria put forth in this RFP. Projects that are successful in year one will be eligible to apply in subsequent years. All awards are dependent upon NASA funding availability. To better understand NASA and the ongoing work and priorities within the Mission Directorates, click on this link: https://www.nasa.gov/about/org_index.html.

Undergraduate STEM Scholarship Opportunity

Applications for the Iowa Space Grant Scholarship Program for undergraduate students are now being accepted. The submission deadline is June 22, 2020, at 4:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for students in STEM. Women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and U.S. military veterans are encouraged to apply. The preliminary announcement date for awards is July 23, 2020 contingent upon availability of NASA funding.

2020 -2021 Iowa Space Grant Scholarship Program

How do you get a scholarship?

  • Complete the application
  • Submit an unofficial transcript (unprotected and unsecured PDF)
  • Have reference/s submit recommendation letter (one letter is required, a second is optional)
  • A research component will be looked upon favorably but is not required for the application

Who is eligible?

  • U.S. citizens
  • Full-time students at Drake, Iowa State, Iowa, Northern Iowa, Des Moines Area Community College or Loras College
  • Enrolled August 2020 through May 2021, graduating no earlier than May 2021
  • GPA of at least 3.0 (out of 4.0)
  • Enrolled in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) major including STEM education

What happens if you are selected?

  • $5,000 as a scholarship applied to your university account, contingent upon availability of NASA funding
  • Awards will be $2,500 per semester with proof of enrollment and minimum GPA met with transcript verification from Fall 2020
  • Participate in NASA longitudinal tracking through graduation, with student status updates to ISGC

To access the application click here.
For additional information, visit our undergraduate funding page.
Inquiries: isgc@iastate.edu