Announcing VSGC 2010-2011 STEM Scholarship Opportunities!

In 1988, Congress enacted the NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program to address scientific and technological workforce needs and the national decline in scholastic achievement, especially in math and science. NASA’s Space Grant funds education, research, and public service programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico through a network of 52 university-based Space Grant Consortia with over 800 participating affiliates. The Space Grant Consortia is united by the common goal of developing the educational and economic benefits of aerospace research and exploration.

A major goal of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is to help produce the engineers and scientists of the future. While opportunities for careers in aerospace have expanded, the number of talented students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has declined. To encourage talented individuals to pursue aerospace-related fields of study, the VSGC has established four Scholarship and Fellowship programs.

The VSGC Scholarship and Fellowship Program annually awards approximately $300,000 to students pursuing higher education at Virginia Space Grant universities (College of William and Mary, Hampton University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech) and Virginia Community Colleges. More information about each program and a link to apply are below.

Questions concerning the preparation and submission of proposals and the administration of this proogram should be directed to the VSGC’s Scholarship Coordinator, Telephone (757) 766-5210; Fax (757) 766-5205; or e-mail: vsgc@odu.edu.

Undergraduate Research Scholarships are one-year, non-renewable support up to $8,500 for undergraduate students enrolled in a Virginia Space Grant university pursuing any field of study with aerospace relevance and actively engaged in a research project. Undergraduate Research Scholarship Application

Teacher Education Scholarships are $1,000 awards given to students enrolled full time at a Virginia Space Grant university in a track that leads to teacher certification in a pre-college setting. Priority is given to those majoring in technology education, mathematics, or earth/space/ environmental science. Undergraduate students and graduate students enrolled in a Master or Doctorate of Education degree program leading to teacher certification in science, technology, engineering, math and related fields may apply. Students must be preparing to teach STEM at the K-12 level.  Teacher Education Scholarship Application

Community College Scholarships are $1,500 awards made to students enrolled at a Virginia community college, who have completed at least one semester of coursework and are pursuing a program of study that includes coursework related to an understanding of or interest in technological fields supporting aerospace. Community College Scholarship Application.

Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholarship are $1,000 awards to encourage participation in STEM-related research and careers by students from any federally recognized minority who demonstrate high academic achievement and promise.

Students planning to study outside of Virginia are encouraged to visit NASA's Space Grant Home Page to learn about scholarship opportunities offered by other Space Grants, which are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  

For more information on scholarships/fellowships contact Nick Koltun, Educational Programs Specialist at (757) 766-5210 or by email at nkoltun@odu.edu.