Aerospace Outreach Program

Applications Open: September 1, 2022
Submission Deadline: October 24, 2022
Award Announcements: December 2, 2022

Up to $5,000* per year.
* Based on availability of funds.

To provide planning grants and supplemental grants for new or ongoing projects which have space-related content.

Aerospace Outreach Program Announcement of Opportunity

1. Build strategic linkages between STEM formal and informal education providers that promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) literacy and awareness of NASA’s mission.
2. Increase interest, recruitment, experience, knowledge, and training of the next generation of experts in the pursuit of space- or aerospace-related science, design or technology through community-based programming.
3. Encourage individuals in space-related pursuits by creating a pipeline for program participants into other WSGC programs.

This year the WSGC is especially encouraging proposals that foster and enhance a connection between STEM formal and informal education providers to strengthen efforts in recruiting and retaining students in STEM fields. All project proposals should include metrics that clearly define project outcomes, not only the number of participants.

• Register on the WSGC website (https://spacegrant.carthage.edu/forms/account/login). Applicants will be prompted to update personal information annually.
• Sign in and submit the Grant Application Form (applicants may apply to multiple funding programs) and supporting documents.

Applicants who meet the following requirements can apply for this grant by registering and applying online at spacegrant.carthage.edu/about/login:

• Any established organization (e.g. K-12 and higher education schools, aerospace industries, government agencies, non-profit aerospace associations, etc.)
• A 1:1 match
  
  Current & Past Award Recipients

The proposal must address each of the five categories listed below. Be sure to clearly number and label each category within the proposal.

1. Sponsoring Organization Information: Provide demographic information for the sponsoring organization.

2. Goals and Value of Project: In 1-2 pages, describe the goals of the new project or the enhancement of an existing project, how it fits into the organization’s scope, and the value of the project to the participants/recipients. State how the project’s goals align with the goals of the Aerospace Outreach Program. Specifically, state how the project will:

• Support STEM education innovation that embraces the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and/or Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Science, by raising the level of exposure and interest of K-12 teachers, students, and the general public in space, aerospace, and space-related science, design, or technology and its potential benefits; increase interest, recruitment, experience and training of pre-college students in the pursuit of space- or aerospace-related science, design, or technology.
• Demonstrate self-sustaining and/or replicable capabilities. (If this is or will be an on-going project, describe whether and how it might become self-sustaining. How can this project be shared with others interested in starting a like project?)
• Demonstrate how the project meets the 2022-2023 specific goal: foster and enhance a connection between STEM formal and informal education providers to strengthen efforts in recruiting and retaining students in STEM fields.

Detail how this project aligns with the goals of one or more NASA Directorates or Centers. Please be specific (Aeronautics Research, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Science, Science Technology, Other). WSGC is required to demonstrate the alignment of each of our projects with NASA Directorate or Center goals, proposals that do not demonstrate such alignment will not be funded. If this proposal focuses on NASA’s pre-college education, state how the proposal ties with national or state education standards for STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics. If this project focuses on NASA informal education, which seeks to enhance the capabilities of individuals and the informal education communities, state how this proposal will provide stimulating experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics outside the directed learning of a classroom.

3. Description of Anticipated Participants: In 500 words or less, please address the number of anticipated direct and indirect participants, education level break out, how they will be selected, and provide available demographic and numeric information on women, underrepresented minorities, and people with disabilities. Include in this 500-word description the location of the project, organizations assisting the proposing agency, and project participants.

4. Discussion of the Project: In less than three pages, discuss the proposed project in sufficient detail that the reviewers may ascertain its chance of success. The following should be noted specifically:

1. Work plan
2. Project classification: Identify project as NASA Pre-College Education Program or NASA Informal Education Program
3. Schedule: Include teacher, student, and/or community engagement dates when applicable.
4. # of handouts, hands-on activities, events
5. Self-evaluation criteria, including data on any resulting student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) careers. Long-term data is preferred, especially for programs that have received previous funding.
6. Types of presentations and/or papers that will be a by-product of this project.

5. Budget/Use of Funds: Describe in detail the use of the funds for the proposed project, then estimate the total project costs (direct costs only), and other contributors and their contributed match amount(s) using the Grant Proposal Budget Template Form.

*A minimum 1:1 match is required. Add more match columns if there is more than one source of matching funds. Indicate the source of each match. **Salaries and Fringe budgets should include the following details: name/position, number of hours, hourly rate, and fringe calculation rates.
***WSGC financially supports travel to and from the Wisconsin Space Conference only if expenses are included in this budget proposal. Travel details should include purpose, location, and duration.
****WSGC will not fund overhead; however, it may be counted as part of the organization’s 1:1 project match.
*****The proposed budget should be established for a 9-month funding period, with all invoices submitted to WSGC within a one-year period from the award date.

NASA (WSGC is a NASA-funded organization) does not accept the purchase of capital items as a reasonable use of funds for this program. Consult the applicant’s institutional policies on what constitutes a capital purchase. Visits by active astronauts cannot be funded as these visits are generally arranged through the Astronaut Office and are typically free of charge to the requesting organization. Field trips will only be considered as a minor component of a project, and only if they are necessary to the project goals.

As part of the award acceptance, awardees will be asked to attend the Annual Wisconsin Space Conference as outlined in the award agreement and submit the following documents on the WSGC application website under Program Applications/Your Applications:

• Award Agreement Letter
• Institution W9
• Media Release Form
• One-Paragraph Biography
• PI Professional Photo
• Quarterly Invoices/Cost Share Reports with Supporting Documentation
• Office of Education Survey must be completed by May 15, 2023
• Interim Report (if period of performance is greater than 6 months)
• Summary Report
• Present project at the Annual Wisconsin Space Conference
• 2-3 Project Photos Featuring Program Participants
• Alumni Story