MSGC Updates

There are quite a few upcoming opportunities happening over the next couple of months and the MSGC team wants to make sure that you are updated on the latest challenges, programs, internships, contests etc. Let the MSGC team know if you plan on participating by sending an email to mispacegrant@umich.edu

Please note, many federally funded projects are on PAUSE while the gonvernment is shutdown.   For the latest gudiance on timelines and deadlines to submit by, visit each website directly using the links provided.

We are also now accepting applications for MSGC’s 2026 Award Cycle. Learn more about our different awards on our website under funding.  The deadline for submission is November 12th at 11:59pm

Virtual Office Hours for the 2026 Call for Proposals have been set for Thursday, November 6th at 12:30 and Monday, November 1oth at 12:30. There is no pre-set agenda. Discussion is dictated by participants and any last-minute questions they might have. Your attendance is not required and you do not have to wait for Office Hours to get your questions answered. Applicants are welcome to email mispacegrant@umich.edu at any time with any questions.

SAVE The DATE! Registration for the upcoming Hackathon, “Dynamic Ice Monitoring & Characterization through Space” hosted by The Michigan Office of Defense & Aerospace Innovation (ODAI), opens Friday, October 17th. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, click HERE. Registration and all other event details, rules, data, and resources will be posted on the MiSpace Hackathon website at https://mispace.devpost.com/ starting Friday, October 17th.

2026 NASA RASC-AL COMPETITION
Notice of Intent due: October 13, 2025
Proposal and 2 min Video due: February 23, 2026
https://rascal.nianet.org/
The 2026 RASC-AL Competition is seeking US-based undergraduate- and graduate-level teams to develop new concepts that leverage innovation to improve our ability to operate on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This year’s themes range from developing systems and technologies to support exploration of the lunar surface to enhancing humanity’s ability to operate and return data from the surface of Mars. In this year’s RASCAL Competition, teams and their faculty advisors are invited to design and propose innovative solutions with supporting original engineering and analysis in response to one of four themes. An excerpt from each theme is below; visit the Competition Details Webpage for full theme text and requirements.

2026 NASA’s Gateway to Blue Skies Competition
Notice of Intent due: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Proposal and Video due: February 16, 2026
https://blueskies.nianet.org/
https://blueskies.nianet.org/competition/
2026 Theme: RepAir Advancing Aircraft Maintenance
The Gateways to Blue Skies Competition (GBS) expands engagement between post-secondary institutions and NASA Aeronautics, industry, and government partners by providing an opportunity for multidisciplinary teams of students from all academic levels (i.e., freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, and graduate) and fields to tackle critical challenges and opportunities within the aviation industry through a new competition theme each year. NASA welcomes submissions from teams from accredited U.S.-based post-secondary institutions, including technical colleges, community colleges, colleges, or universities. Teams may be comprised of a combination of full-time or part-time students from any post-secondary academic levels, and can include senior capstone students, clubs, multi-university teams, or multi-disciplinary teams.
Teams are encouraged to submit a non-binding notice of intent by Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, via the website. Submitting a notice of intent ensures teams stay apprised of competition news. The proposal and video are due Feb. 16, 2026.

2026 NASA’s Human Landar Challenge (HuLC)
Notice of Intent due: October 20, 2025
Proposal and Video due March 4, 2026
https://hulc.nianet.org/
2026 Theme: Long Duration Spaceflight Environmental Control Life Support System (ECLSS)
HuLC is open to teams comprised of full-time or part-time undergraduate and/or graduate students at an accredited U.S.-based community college, college, or university. HuLC projects allow students to incorporate their coursework into real aerospace design concepts and work together in a team environment. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.

The Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program
Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis
https://myumi.ch/G2q1M

The Air Force Science and Technology Fellowship Program (AF STFP), funded by the United States Air Force, provides a platform for outstanding scientists and engineers to engage in vital research and development efforts. Through a competitive selection process, the program identifies exceptionally talented individuals at various career stages, from recent graduates to experienced researchers, offering them the opportunity to conduct self-directed research at Air Force facilities.

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships
Application Deadline: Saturday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. EDT
https://npp.orau.org/index.html
The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers early career and senior scientists fellowships (awarded annually up to three years) with NASA scientists and engineers. Opportunities relate to missions in Earth science, Helio physics, planetary science, astrophysics, space bioscience, aeronautics, engineering, human exploration and space operations, astrobiology, and science management. Applicants must have completed a doctorate or an equivalent degree before beginning the fellowship, but they may apply while completing degree requirements.

GEM Fellowship Program
Application Deadline: Nov. 14
https://myumi.ch/JPd4N
GEM offers MS and Ph.D. level students an outstanding opportunity and access to dozens of the top Engineering and Science firms and Universities in the nation. The GEM Fellowship was designed to focus on promoting opportunities for individuals to enter industry at the graduate level in areas such as research and development, product development, and other high level technical careers. GEM also offers exposure to a number of opportunities in academia.

Joint Polar Satellite System STEM Activity: Flight Path Navigator Graphing Game
https://myumi.ch/2r65m
Did you know that data from NOAA and NASA’s Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellites helps pilots plan their flight paths? In a new game from the JPSS team, players use graphing to plot a safe flight path, including take-off and landing, for an airplane. The beginning concepts of graphing are explored as young learners plan routes to avoid clouds, ice, turbulence, and other obstacles.

Explore the Universe With NuSTAR Art and Coloring Pages
https://myumi.ch/G29z4
NASA’s Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, mission detects high-energy X-rays. With NuSTAR, scientists observe and investigate some of the hottest, densest, and most energetic objects in the universe, like the remnants of exploded stars and supermassive black holes actively consuming gas and dust.

Design the Mission Patch for NASA’s Next HERA Campaign
Submission Deadline: Oct. 15
https://myumi.ch/VVVMx
Did you know NASA simulates crewed space missions with the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA)? HERA is a two-and-a-half story, 650-square-foot habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. In 2026, four missions will take place inside HERA with crews of four volunteers who will live isolated and confined during 45-day simulated trips to the Moon. K-12 students at private and public schools in the U.S. are invited to design the patches for these upcoming missions. Winners will work with a Human Research Program graphic designer to turn their concept into a reality.

National Science Foundation Education and Training Opportunities
Various Deadlines
https://myumi.ch/y1bkd
Browse NSF Opportunities to discover what could be the next step in your academic journey. Search by keyword or use the filters to find Opportunities relevant to your interests. Start your application when you find a good fit or save it to come back to when you’re ready.

My NASA Data Webinar: Fall 2025 Webinar Series
Webinar Dates: October 7th – November 18th
https://myumi.ch/4mQ6Q
Join My NASA Data for a webinar to explore the newly enhanced Earth System Data Explorer, a powerful tool for visualizing and analyzing NASA’s extensive Earth science data. Learn about the latest features, including the double line plot, side-by-side map comparison, and the option to display maps using an accessible palette – all designed to make data analysis more flexible and engaging.

Open Science Training
https://myumi.ch/kPdqy
NASA’s Open Science 101 course provides the foundational knowledge of the principles and best practices for conducting open science. Researchers, students, and the public are invited to register for this free, five-module course to learn about the principles of open science; how to plan, conduct, and participate in open science research projects; legal and ethical considerations when planning open science projects; and open science best practices.