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

Applications for our 2025 funding opportunities are now open! Contact your campus rep and start working on your proposal today. https://www.mispacegrant.org/funding/

Save the Date! The MSGC Team will be holding Virtual Office Hours on November 8th & 12th at 12:30pm. Have a question? Curious about MSGC? Working on your application? Join members of the MSGC Team for our Virtual Office Hours! We will be holding 1-hour Zoom sessions leading up to our 2025 Application deadline. Even the day of the deadline for all those last minute questions we know that you will have. Feel free to pop in, say “hi”, ask questions, etc. https://www.mispacegrant.org/msgc-office-hours/

Europa Clipper
https://myumi.ch/r8zdR
On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Europa Clipper spacecraft is set to launch on a first-of-its-kind mission to conduct a detailed science investigation of Jupiter’s moon Europa. Scientists predict Europa has a salty ocean beneath its icy crust that could hold the building blocks necessary to sustain life.

NASA SUITS Design Challenge
Letter of Intent Deadline: Thursday, Oct. 10
Information Session: Thursday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m. EDT
Proposal Deadline: Thursday, Oct. 31
https://myumi.ch/6y7wn
NASA SUITS (Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students) challenges teams to design and create autonomous systems and displays for spacesuits and rovers. These systems will aid NASA’s Artemis missions that will land astronauts safely on the Moon. Top teams will travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and work with NASA technical engineers and coordinators to test their prototypes.

University Student Design Challenge at NASA’s Glenn Research Center
Audience: Full-time junior and senior undergraduate students at accredited U.S. academic institutions
Registration Deadline: Oct. 11
https://myumi.ch/5y1Rg
NASA’s Glenn Research Center is hosting its annual University Student Design Challenge (USDC). The USDC comprises aeronautics-themed projects and space-themed projects, all of which encourage teams of participating students to use out-of-box approaches to solve specific problems to benefit NASA mission needs. Teams of three or more students work with a faculty advisor and NASA technical experts to research and develop solutions to one of the mission-defined challenges proposed by NASA. Top teams will be invited to present their designs to an audience of senior leadership and personnel at NASA Glenn.

2025 Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams (Micro-g NExT)
Information Sessions: Tuesday, Oct. 15
Letter of Intent Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 8
Proposal Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 29
https://myumi.ch/1b7E8
Micro-g NExT challenges teams to design, build, and test a tool or device that addresses an authentic, current space exploration challenge. The overall experience includes hands-on engineering design, test operations, and public outreach. This year’s Micro-g NExT challenges focus on lunar operations, microgravity operations, and search and rescue. Selected teams will be paired with a NASA mentor to assist them as they iterate on their submitted design. During the culminating event, professional divers will test the student prototypes in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Full challenge descriptions and requirements can be found on the Micro-g NExT website.

2025 Human Lander Challenge (HuLC)
Audience: Undergraduate and graduate students attending accredited U.S.-based community colleges, colleges, and universities
Optional Notice of Intent Deadline: Oct. 16
Q&A Session: Nov. 7
Entry Proposal and Video Submission Deadline: March 3, 2025
https://myumi.ch/xqVyk
In-space propulsion systems utilizing cryogenic liquids as propellants are necessary to achieve NASA’s exploration missions to the Moon and Mars. In current state-of-the-art human scale, in-space propulsion vehicles, cryogenic liquids can be stored for several hours. For the planned Human Landing System mission architecture, cryogenic liquids must be stored on-orbit for several months. NASA’s 2025 HuLC Competition asks student teams to develop innovative, systems-level solutions to understand and mitigate potential problems, and mature advanced cryogenic fluid technologies that can be implemented within three to five years. Based on a review of proposal package submissions, up to 12 teams will be selected to receive a monetary award to further develop their concept and facilitate full participation in the HuLC Forum, held in Huntsville, Alabama, in June 2025.

2025 Climate Science Communication Fellowship
Application Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 22
https://myumi.ch/5yxn9
Applications may be submitted by a current graduate student close to completing a degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) or recently completed a degree in a field related to science communication, journalism, media or public relations, at a U.S. university. Applicants should address their degree of interest and experience in science communication, stakeholder engagement, and in issues of environmental, climate, atmospheric science, marine, coastal, estuarine, and/or freshwater science. Graduate students who recently completed their degree with a graduate date after May 1, 2023 are also eligible to apply. The fellow must complete all degree requirements before starting the fellowship.

Solar Decathlon: Design Challenge
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. EDT
https://myumi.ch/wyrd4
Collegiate students competing in the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge work in multidisciplinary teams to create innovative and high-performance building designs that address real-world issues related to climate change, affordability, and environmental justice.

National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program
Application Deadline: Oct. 27
https://myumi.ch/kZnR5
The National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) provides paid opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) during the Fall of 2024 who are pursuing degrees in critical science, engineering, technology, mathematics, and other disciplines that complement current and future missions of the NNSA.

2025 RASC-AL Competition
Audience: Part-time and full-time undergraduate and graduate students attending accredited U.S.-based community colleges, colleges, and universities
Notice of Intent Deadline: Oct. 10
Entry Deadline: Feb. 25, 2025
https://myumi.ch/dAqe7
The 2025 RASC-AL competition invites student teams to develop new concepts that leverage innovation to improve our ability to operate on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This year, teams and their faculty advisors are invited to design and propose innovative solutions with supporting original engineering and analysis in response to one of the following themes: Sustained Lunar Evolution – An Inspirational Moment, Advanced Science Missions and Technology Demonstrators for Human-Mars Precursor Campaign, and Small Lunar Servicing and Maintenance Robot. Up to 14 teams may be chosen to present their concepts at the 2025 RASC-AL Forum in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Each team will receive a monetary award to facilitate full participation in the RASC-AL Forum competition.

NASA’s Gateways to Blue Skies Competition
NOI Due October 22nd
Proposals Due February 17, 2025
https://myumi.ch/DrPm4
In the 2025 Blue Skies Competition, teams will conceptualize novel aviation systems that can be applied to agriculture by 2035 or sooner with the goal of improving production, efficiency, environmental impact, and extreme weather/climate resilience. Teams are encouraged to consider high-potential technologies and systems that aren’t currently mainstream or highly regarded as becoming mainstream in the future and imagine beyond applying sensors to aviation systems.

NASA Moon to Mars Architecture Art Challenge
Entry Deadline: Oct. 31
https://myumi.ch/Rm2V5
NASA is looking for creative, artistic images to represent its Moon to Mars Architecture, the agency’s roadmap for crewed exploration of deep space. Submissions are open to creatives of all ages and abilities from around the world. NASA may use submitted artwork to promote its architecture development effort and will give credit to all selected artists. Entries from artists over the age of 18 will be eligible for a portion of a $10,000 prize pool.

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships
Application Deadline: Nov. 1
https://myumi.ch/Drq6R
The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers early career and senior scientists one- to three-year fellowships with NASA scientists and engineers. Opportunities relate to missions in Earth science, heliophysics, 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.

Call for Payloads: 2025 High-Altitude Student Platform
Audience: Student teams from universities and community colleges worldwide
Notice of Intent Deadline: Friday, Oct. 11
Application Deadline: Monday, Nov. 4
https://myumi.ch/egpd3
Student teams are invited to develop experiments to fly to the edge of space on a NASA high-altitude research balloon. The annual project, supported by the NASA Science Mission Directorate Astrophysics Division, NASA Balloon Program Office, and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium, provides near-space access for up to 24 student experiments. Typically, the flights last 15 to 20 hours and reach an altitude of 122,000 feet. There is no cost for launch and flight operations. Student teams must raise funds to support payload development and travel. Register for a Q&A teleconference on Friday, Sept. 27, and an Application Development teleconference on Friday, Oct. 18.

CubeSat Launch Initiative Partnership Opportunity
Audience: U.S. accredited educational institutions and nonprofit organizations
Proposal Deadline: Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. EST
https://myumi.ch/6y5mG
NASA is seeking proposals for CubeSat payloads in the 1U-12U size range looking to launch between 2026-2029. The CubeSat Launch Initiative gives students, teachers, and faculty a chance to get hands-on flight hardware development experience. Proposed CubeSat investigations must advance NASA’s strategic goals in the areas of education, science, technology development/demonstration or NASA workforce development.

U.S. Department of Energy – IBUILD: Innovation in Buildings Graduate Research Fellowship
Application Deadline: Dec. 6
https://myumi.ch/dAwQ4
The Innovation in Buildings (IBUILD) Graduate Research Fellowship (managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and administered by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education) will strengthen the pool of well-trained, diverse PhD scholars who are equipped for research-intensive building technologies careers across all sectors. IBUILD Fellows will receive research and educational support to conduct innovative research at their home institution in an area with demonstrated relevance to building decarbonization. In addition to funding high quality research, the fellowship will provide professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

U.S. Department of Energy Marine Energy Fellowship: Graduate Student Track
Application Deadline: Dec. 6
https://myumi.ch/ZDwb9
As a participant with the Marine Energy Fellowship: Graduate Student Track, you will get to advance your master’s or doctoral thesis utilizing the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at DOE laboratories, industry, federal agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, or other approved facility to accomplish your research goals, all while networking with top scientists in the field. You will enhance your education and training in marine energy, increase your marketability in these disciplines, gain access to top scientists and state-of- the-art equipment, and gain insight into research and career opportunities. You will have the opportunity to collaborate and learn from experts researching, developing, and testing emerging technologies in marine energy and/or blue economy.

Europa Clipper
https://myumi.ch/r8zdR
On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Europa Clipper spacecraft is set to launch on a first-of-its-kind mission to conduct a detailed science investigation of Jupiter’s moon Europa. Scientists predict Europa has a salty ocean beneath its icy crust that could hold the building blocks necessary to sustain life.

Sally Ride EarthKAM: Missions 88 and 89
Mission 88 Dates: Tuesday, Oct. 8 – Friday, Oct. 11
Mission 89 Dates: Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Friday, Nov. 1
https://myumi.ch/VG8qN
Sally Ride EarthKAM is a free STEM educational program managed by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. EarthKAM allows students in grades K-12 to take images of Earth from space using a camera aboard the International Space Station. Use EarthKAM as a teaching tool to study subjects ranging from geography to art to meteorology.

Virtual and In-person STEM Engagement Sessions: NQuest
Virtual Session Dates: Mondays and Thursdays
In-person Session Dates: Tuesdays and Fridays
Registration Deadline: Friday, Oct. 11
https://myumi.ch/G4EGp
NQuest (NASA Quest) offers no-cost STEM engagements to Title I middle schools. Through hands-on workshops, immersive planetarium shows, and interactive exhibits, NQuest sparks a lifelong interest in STEM for middle school students. NQuest is available in-person at the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, California, as well as virtually nationwide. Sign-ups are available now.

2025 National STEM Festival: Student Project Submissions (Grades 7-12)
Entry Deadline: Sunday, Oct. 20
https://myumi.ch/23g76
Attention U.S. students in grades 7-12: this challenge is designed for you!
Embark on a mission to create a project that addresses a real-world problem, aligning with one of our six festival themes. Utilize the scientific method or engineering design process to develop your solution. Top projects from every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories will be selected as Challenge Finalists. These finalists will move forward to the second round by submitting a video explaination of their project.
Up to 150 National Champions will earn a trip to the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C., in March 2025. At this event, Champions will have the opportunity to present their projects to some of our nation’s leading figures, including corporate executives and the media.

NASA Moon to Mars Architecture Art Challenge
Entry Deadline: Oct. 31
https://myumi.ch/Rm2V5
NASA is looking for creative, artistic images to represent its Moon to Mars Architecture, the agency’s roadmap for crewed exploration of deep space. Submissions are open to creatives of all ages and abilities from around the world. NASA may use submitted artwork to promote its architecture development effort and will give credit to all selected artists. Entries from artists over the age of 18 will be eligible for a portion of a $10,000 prize pool.

NASA Space Place Art Challenge
Audience: Artists ages 13 and under
Entry Deadline: Thursday, Oct. 31
https://myumi.ch/jZzdG
NASA Space Place wants to see your artwork inspired by the Europa Clipper mission. Young artists are invited to learn about the spacecraft, its mission, and Jupiter’s icy moon, then use their imagination to create artwork inspired by what they learn. Selected artworks will be featured on the NASA Space Place website and during the Europa Clipper mission’s launch broadcast.

2025 Drop Tower Challenge – Paddle Wheel
Proposal Deadline: Oct. 31
https://myumi.ch/AZ4pA
Student teams are invited to design and build paddle wheels that will turn in water because of the wetting properties of their surfaces when they are exposed to microgravity. Paddle wheels from selected teams will be tested in the 2.2 Second Drop Tower at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Ohio. Top performing teams will have the opportunity to present their results in a student poster session at the 2025 meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research.

2024-2025 Conrad Challenge for Students Ages 13-18
Registration Deadline: 11:59 p.m. EDT on Nov. 1
https://myumi.ch/mZ1dw
The Conrad Challenge is a purpose-driven innovation competition creating the next generation of entrepreneurs who will change the world! Aspiring young minds from around the globe can engage with the wonders of entrepreneurship and innovation through Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber-Technology & Security, Energy & Environment and Health & Nutrition.

NASA TechRise Student Challenge
Audience: Educators and students in grades 6-12
Entry Deadline: Nov. 1
https://myumi.ch/RmyeN
The NASA TechRise Student Challenge invites student teams to submit science and technology experiment ideas to fly on a high-altitude balloon. Students attending U.S. public, private, or charter schools – including those in U.S. territories – are challenged to team up to design an experiment under the guidance of an educator. A total of 60 winning teams will be selected and awarded $1,500 to build their experiment, receive an assigned spot on a high-altitude balloon flight, and get technical support from Future Engineers advisors.

U.S. Department of Education Power Your Future Challenge
Submission Deadline: Nov. 19
https://myumi.ch/g1EPd
The Power Your Future Challenge is a nationwide challenge inspiring high school students to envision clean energy careers. The U.S. Department of Education invites teams to submit innovative action plans that will advance the use of clean energy in their schools and communities. Through this challenge, students can explore clean energy and connect CTE programs with a wide variety of clean energy career pathways

Europa Clipper
https://myumi.ch/r8zdR
On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Europa Clipper spacecraft is set to launch on a first-of-its-kind mission to conduct a detailed science investigation of Jupiter’s moon Europa. Scientists predict Europa has a salty ocean beneath its icy crust that could hold the building blocks necessary to sustain life.

NOAA Education Multimedia Needs Assessment
Survey Open Now
https://myumi.ch/xqz68
The NOAA education community recognizes that today educators and students are using live and on demand multimedia content to learn about ocean, atmospheric, climate, and related STEM topics, as well as access education and pedagogic resources and training. In developing multimedia and distance learning materials that convey NOAA’s science, service and stewardship, NOAA must ensure that these resources meet the needs of educators and students across the United States. To achieve this goal, we need your help. This short (less than 5 minute) survey will help NOAA identify the types of multimedia content that interests you for use with your students/audiences as well as your own professional development. Your participation is voluntary and your answers completely anonymous.

NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission “10 in 10” Webinar Series
Next Event Date: Thursday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m. EDT
https://myumi.ch/6y7Nm
Join NASA’s GPM mission team for a series of webinars to celebrate ten years of Earth observations that have helped us better understand our water cycle, improving life around the globe. In the next webinar of the series, find out how collecting data from the ground can ensure that satellite measurements are accurate. Learn about ground validation efforts that must be completed to ensure that our global precipitation data is accurate. Plus, learn how you can contribute via the vast array of NASA-sponsored participatory science opportunities available through the GLOBE program.

New STEMonstration Video and Classroom Connection: Friction
https://myumi.ch/kZ1d2
Have you ever wished upon a shooting star? In the latest STEMonstration episode, learn about shooting stars and friction with NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli. Explore the three main types of friction and watch demonstrations of how static, kinetic, and fluid friction are used in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station. Experiment with friction alongside your students using the corresponding, standards-aligned classroom connection.

Five Things to Know About Sailing Through Space
https://myumi.ch/237bD
Our Advanced Composite Solar Sail System will launch aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from the company’s Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand no earlier than April 23, at 6 p.m. EDT. This mission will demonstrate the use of innovative materials and structures to deploy a next-generation solar sail from a CubeSat in low Earth orbit.

Girls STEAM Ahead With NASA Webinar: 2024 Resources in Action
Event Date: Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. EDT
https://myumi.ch/W51Gw
The Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA program, part of NASA’s Universe of Learning, provides resources and experiences that enable youth, families, and lifelong learners to explore fundamental questions in astrophysics, experience how science is done, and discover the universe for themselves. Hear directly from this year’s 2024 GSAWN Stipend recipients who are using these free resources and get ideas to implement in you own programs.

Earth Science Week 2024 Contests (Video, Photography, Visual Arts, Essay)
Submission Deadline: October 18
https://myumi.ch/8rxjk
Be part of Earth Science Week’s legacy of creativity. For Earth Science Week, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is sponsoring four contests focusing on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Earth Science Everywhere.” Unleash your talents and passion for earth sciences and enter our 2024 contests today! Whether you’re a budding photographer, an aspiring filmmaker, a visual artist, or a reflective writer, we have a platform for you to showcase your talents.

NASA Moon to Mars Architecture Art Challenge
Entry Deadline: Oct. 31
https://myumi.ch/Rm2V5
NASA is looking for creative, artistic images to represent its Moon to Mars Architecture, the agency’s roadmap for crewed exploration of deep space. Submissions are open to creatives of all ages and abilities from around the world. NASA may use submitted artwork to promote its architecture development effort and will give credit to all selected artists. Entries from artists over the age of 18 will be eligible for a portion of a $10,000 prize pool.