Iowa Space Grant Consortium

Faculty

The Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) supports researchers at affiliated universities and colleges in Iowa with expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), education and outreach. The ISGC seeks researchers in engineering, Earth and space science, astronomy, and other STEM areas of interest to NASA. These faculty grants will allow award recipients to obtain the preliminary results needed to support larger proposals to NASA and other federal or non-federal funding agencies. The intent is to assist with production of NASA-related scholarship and/or intellectual properties such as patents and licenses. The ISGC encourages collaborations with NASA to support research that is aligned with the NASA Mission Directorates (MD):

Base Programs (BP)

Competitions have been completed at the ISGC Core Institutions (CI): Drake University, Iowa State, Iowa and Northern Iowa.

These grants from the ISGC provide support to faculty that help accomplish the NASA and ISGC mission by supporting research and engineering projects that align with (1) the NASA Mission Directorate research priorities as well as (2) each core institution’s strategic plan and unique capacity. The ISGC base programs support the development of competitive, self-sustaining research programs at each of the four CIs, with active and innovative research. Student involvement provided the opportunity to engage in authentic hands-on research and engineering lab experiences. The intent of this program is to support student recruitment and retention efforts in the STEM fields, and encourage involvement of women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Funded Base Programs by Core Institution:

Drake University
1. Biomarkers for Radiation-Induced DNA Damage during Human Space Exploration
PI: Dr. Pramod Mahajan

2. Conceptual Design and Study of a Mangeto-Ionization Radiation Shield and Artificial Gravity System for Interplanetary Travel – The MISSFIT Collaboration
PI: Dr. Athanasios Petridis

Iowa State University
1. Nanomaterials for Advanced Manufacturing and Aeronautics (NAMA)
PI: Dr. Shan Jiang

2. Examining Aerospace Engineering Students’ Learning Experiences
PI: Professor Matthew Nelson

University of Iowa
Infrastructure for Data-Advanced Research and Education (I-DARE) to improve NASA’s Earth Science applications in Iowa
PI: Dr. Jun Wang

University of Northern Iowa
Wind Cave as a Terrestrial Analog for Possible Exobiological Environments off Earth
PI: Dr. Joshua Sebree
Videos from Astrobiology Underground

Follow: UNI Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry 

Academic Projects (AP)

This ISGC program is open to researchers and faculty at the current Academic Affiliates: Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Loras College, and Morningside University.

2024-2025 AP opportunity
– Released: May 8, 2024
– Deadline: August 30, 2024
– Link to PDF download
– ISGC Budget Template – Academic Projects – required with proposal submission
– Faculty forms and reporting guidance available at: https://www.iaspacegrant.org/faculty-forms-and-reports/

Curriculum Development (CD)

The ISGC requests proposals which will support the development of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related curricula aligned with NASA Mission Directorates as outlined above, with a focus on improving student skills.

2024-2025 CD opportunity
– Released: May 8, 2024
– Deadline: July 31, 2024
– Link to PDF download
– ISGC Budget Template – CD – required with proposal submission
(Please note: ISU internal proposals to the ISGC do not require entry into the Streamlyne proposal system.)
– Faculty forms and reporting guidance available at: https://www.iaspacegrant.org/faculty-forms-and-reports/

For NASA Resources and Links – click here