NASA / North Carolina Space Grant

08/31/2026

The Team Experience and Competition Grant Program is now open for applications!

Through this program, NC Space Grant awards funding to university teams of undergraduate and graduate students led by faculty to help them participate in national competitions either sponsored or sanctioned by NASA or another STEM-related group.

Examples of such competitions are the NASA Student Launch Initiative, NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC), NASA Lunabotics, etc.

These opportunities offer amazing hands-on experiential learning that teaches unique skills and prepares students for the workforce.

Learn more:
https://ncspacegrant.ncsu.edu/higher-ed-opportunities/team-experience-and-competition-grant-program/

08/20/2026

Are you ready to blast back to school? Put an out-of-this-world spin on learning this year with NASA resources for the classroom and beyond!

Visit the link below to explore NASA’s exciting missions, careers, and learning opportunities. They've got resources for students, educators, and colleges & universities!

> nasa.gov/learning-resources/

08/17/2026

In 2001, NC Space Grant’s undergraduate research scholarship funded Koch’s internship at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). Since then, her NASA career has included work as an Electrical Engineer at GSFC, a Research Associate in the United States Antarctic Program, a Field Engineer in Utqiagvik, a Station Chief of the American Samoa Observatory, an Astronaut with the longest single spaceflight by a woman, and now, Mission Specialist I of Artemis II.

On August 24 & 25, she's visiting NC State's campus! Check out the link below to learn more about the schedule of events and livestream details: https://news.ncsu.edu/2026/08/around-the-moon-and-pack-again/

Christina Koch is coming home.

08/14/2026

Students interested in a spring Internship with NASA have 1 month left to apply!

NASA offers two major internship programs for students: Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships and Pathways Internships. Both provide the chance to work with NASA experts and contribute to real missions.

Students can also attend the NASA Pathways and Early Careers Fall Virtual Event to connect with NASA representatives and learn more about the various opportunities at NASA. Participants will gain valuable insights and practical guidance, including expert tips and best practices for preparing your application, strong resume, succeeding in interviews, and confidently completing online application assessments.

Date: Thursday, August 27 at 3:30pm E.T.
Registration Link: https://stemgateway.nasa.gov/s/course-offering/a0BSJ000007iXFa/
Registration will close on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

08/14/2026

We’re so proud of the summer interns we fund each year, they all do amazing things!

08/10/2026

NASA invites students to explore exciting career pathways in engineering technology and the technical workforce!

Join NASA's Johnson Space Center for a look at the skilled technical careers in robotics, rovers & space exploration! Students will dive into the world of rovers, robots, and real space missions through a structured experience that connects technology, engineering, and space exploration.

A virtual panel featuring experts and industry partners will provide practical insights into careers and real-world applications.

Virtual Session:
📅 Friday, August 28, 2026
⏱️ 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. ET
⏰ Registration Deadline: August 19

https://stemgateway.nasa.gov/s/course-offering/a0BSJ0000075yxB/virtual-event-nasas-cte-day-at-johnson-space-center

08/08/2026

Global Sleep Under the Stars Night was founded in 2020 by Eddie Bauer to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Observed annually on August 8th, the unofficial holiday encourages people of all ages to experience the outdoors by sleeping outside—whether in a tent, a hammock, or under the open sky. But even more fun than stargazing? Knowing some fun facts about what you’re seeing!

Scintillation is the scientific term for the twinkling of stars. It happens because Earth's atmosphere bends and "scrambles" starlight before it reaches your eyes. If the weather’s nice, get out there and look for some “twinkles” tonight!

08/04/2026

We’ve got a lot of new followers around here, so we wanted to reintroduce ourselves!

The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Project, or Space Grant, is a nationwide network funded by NASA to support and enhance STEM education, research and public outreach efforts. NC Space Grant is one of 52 programs across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

We provide NASA-inspired STEM opportunities to engage North Carolinians through research, education, and public outreach efforts and develop the next generation of explorers.

From K-12 Space Ambassador Educators across the state to High Altitude Balloon Challenges for Community College teams, we’ve got opportunities for folks of all ages!

07/30/2026

Today is National Intern Day! Every year, incredible interns play a critical role in NASA missions at each of their centers across the country.

This year, we funded 9 summer interns at NASA's Johnson Space Center, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, NASA Ames Research Center, and NASA Langley Research Center. We can't wait to hear about their experiences!

https://ncspacegrant.ncsu.edu/2026/06/08/nc-space-grant-supports-summer-2026-interns-at-nasa-and-beyond/

07/30/2026

Can plants tell when they're in zero gravity?

Meet Nathan Pfeffer, one of NC Space Grant's Graduate Research Fellows exploring the stress signals of plants in altered gravity environments!

Nathan is getting his PhD in biology at Wake Forest University and working with Dr. Gloria Muday, whose lab focuses on understanding how cells translate signals from their environment or other cells into appropriate responses. His research will help us understand how we can grow healthier plants in space to support future long-term missions, like a base on Mars!

Wake Forest Biomedical Graduate Programs
WFU Biology